Soundproofing with foam plastic, features of selection and installation

Unfortunately, the characteristics of mass-produced buildings, especially old housing stock, are not characterized by increased noise insulation characteristics. A standard reinforced concrete slab as a wall of a panel house, and gypsum-based analogues in brick buildings, have a high vibration transmission coefficient, including in the frequency range perceived by human hearing.

In other words, neighbors can perfectly hear not only loud music, the TV, but also ordinary speech. The external walls are also insufficiently soundproofed. Street noise easily penetrates into homes, annoying its inhabitants.

The situation suggests two ways out of the current situation. Move to another place, or isolate yourself from extraneous sounds. The first method is undoubtedly radical and it is not always possible to take such a step. But in the second case, you can change the situation in ways that are affordable and labor intensive. A wide selection of materials with soundproofing characteristics will help with this.

Expanded polystyrene foam

The main materials for the production of polystyrene foam are:
Table of physical and technical characteristics of polystyrene foam.

• polystyrene;
• polyethylene;
• polyvinyl chloride;
• polyurethane;
• polypropylene;
• phenolic, epoxy, urea, silicone resins.

Production involves heating, thermal expansion and molding of polystyrene granules. Due to the fact that the slabs consist of 90% air, this material is considered one of the best insulation materials. Expanded polystyrene boards have different thicknesses.

This material is very popular when insulating the facade or foundation of a house. One of the main positive aspects of polystyrene foam is its low price. In addition, polystyrene foam boards are lightweight, but at the same time have excellent strength and durability characteristics.

Installation is not difficult. Expanded polystyrene is a hygroscopic material. That is, even if exposure to moisture occurs, the foam will not lose its thermal insulation properties.

Scheme of building insulation with mineral wool and polystyrene foam.

But, along with all the advantages, polystyrene also has disadvantages. Speaking about which is better, polystyrene foam or mineral wool, it is necessary to note the advantage of mineral wool over polystyrene foam in sound insulation properties. Polystyrene foam does not have the same soundproofing properties as mineral wool. Foam plastic, compared to mineral wool, has a much lower vapor permeability coefficient. Foam plastic is deformed at t +60°C. Organic solvents destroy the material, meaning it is not resistant to such organic liquids. In construction, it is used only for insulating residential premises; industrial buildings and high-rise buildings (above 30 m) are not insulated with polystyrene. The biggest disadvantage of polystyrene foam is its susceptibility to flame. Expanded polystyrene boards, when ignited, go out on their own, unless, of course, the requirements of the standard are violated during production.

Reviews of sound insulation made of polystyrene foam

Buyers who have tried Penoplex in action note the light weight but large volume of the panels. The mats take up a lot of space in the room, but are easy to cut and, if desired, quickly transported to the next room. If soundproofing is installed correctly, your home can be finished in one day. The work does not require special tools or special skills; all steps can be easily completed with your own hands.

According to reviews of Penoplex sound insulation, the material does an excellent job of thermal insulation of floors. It is a good layer between other layers, together with them forming an impeccable coating that completely retains heat in the house. Carpets, runners, and other coverings are no longer needed, since the floors are warm and your feet do not freeze when in contact with them.

Why choose polystyrene foam for soundproofing your home?

To soundproof rooms, a wide range of products with the necessary qualities are used. If certain conditions are met, identical results can be achieved in all cases.

The answer to the question why polystyrene foam is so popular among both craftsmen and users will be its following qualities:

• affordable price. In comparison with other types of soundproofing materials, polystyrene foam is not only competitive, but is among the top materials in this area;
• ease of installation. The dimensions of the sheets allow you to form the required dimensions of the parts from which the soundproofing layer is mounted. Processing foam plastic is not difficult. It cuts easily with a knife;
• ecological and sanitary-hygienic cleanliness. There has been much debate over these characteristics, but studies have shown that the volatiles emitted are not in sufficient concentration to cause harm to human health. Exceptional cases of allergic reactions are caused by individual intolerance and are extremely rare. Fears about foam soundproofing are clearly overblown;
• long service life. The material is not susceptible to infection by mold, fungi and other microorganisms;
• stability of geometric dimensions. The coefficient of dynamic change in dimensions is extremely small and does not depend on humidity and non-critical temperature fluctuations;
• good sound insulation properties. The porous structure of the foam effectively dampens vibrations. Proper installation will reduce household noise to the required level.

The functional characteristics of polystyrene foam necessary for the implementation of a housing soundproofing project can be supplemented with a number of related qualities. Light weight makes transportation easy. It can be stored for a long time in unheated and utility rooms without compromising the quality of the product.

Among the disadvantages, there is a relatively low melting point of polystyrene foam, which actually has no practical significance:

• simple foam softens at 140° C;
• epoxy at 170° C;
• polyurethane foams soften at temperatures above 230° C.

Anti-foam is added to construction foam, which blocks the combustion process. The material itself does not support fire for more than 4 seconds. After which it goes out. But in the case of an open fire nearby, the process continues.

conclusions

Extruded polystyrene foam is considered a highly effective sound insulation material. Therefore, you can safely use it instead of expensive mineral slabs and other similar materials.

For information

Extruded polystyrene foam has a durable, integral microstructure that looks like closed cells filled with gas molecules. This is a chemical substance with strong intermolecular bonds, which are tens of times stronger than in polystyrene foam. Individual cells are impenetrable due to the fact that, unlike polystyrene foam, they do not have micropores, which prevents the penetration of water or gas from an adjacent cell

Sound insulation materials

Ceiling soundproofing diagram.

Insulation of internal walls is necessary primarily to ensure that peace and quiet reign in the house. Therefore, when working on sound insulation, choose:

• extruded polystyrene foam;
• products based on basalt fiber;
• drywall;
• steel panels;
• plasterboard membranes;
• polyurethane foam materials;
• polystyrene insulation boards created by extrusion;
• rigid boards made of extruded polystyrene foam. In their production, polystyrene of the highest strength is used.

To install foam panels, they must first be cut. And this is not easy, since the foam crumbles when cutting. But there are several options thanks to which you can easily cut a piece of the required shape without deforming it.

To complicate the design and improve the soundproofing of the room, plasterboard is added to the base of foam boards as a frame. This method can achieve very good results.

Typically, the problem of increased noise transmission in domestic premises arises after unsuccessful repairs (redevelopment). Therefore, for sound insulation, it is imperative to carry out measuring work to establish the noise level. Such calculations will be done better by a specialist - an acoustician.

Sound insulation of single-layer walls and partitions

The sound insulation characteristics of such structures are determined, first of all, by their mass. The more massive the wall, the more sound it will reflect.

An indispensable condition is that the materials together with the binding solution form a sealed structure without any holes or cracks. Therefore, when designing a room, it is only by increasing the mass of the walls with proper tightness of the connections that the required sound insulation can be achieved.

Also, the porosity of the material used in its production plays a role in ensuring the soundproofing qualities of the partition. And yet, as practice shows, it is by and large impossible to achieve gains by increasing the porosity of the material due to more significant losses in sound insulation with a corresponding decrease in the surface density of such a material.

Characteristics

Characteristics of foam plastic

Polystyrene is one of the few that is not capable of releasing substances harmful to the human body. Expanded polystyrene is a type of plastic that, when burned, emits vapors identical to wood. Thanks to manufacturing technology, this material has the property of quickly fading. Water is not capable of destroying it, much less causing the proliferation of microorganisms. Therefore, polystyrene may come into contact with food. Expanded polystyrene can come into excellent contact with asphalt mixtures, fertilizers, paints, and soap.

It has been proven that the external environment does not destroy the composition of polystyrene foam. But water wears away stones. Therefore, excessively long exposure to ultraviolet radiation can significantly reduce its resistance to moisture and air currents. It would be best to cover the foam structure with a special material.

Thanks to the perfection of technology, a fire retardant was introduced into the composition of the foam. Due to this, he gained the ability to resist fire for 4 seconds. A sheet of polystyrene foam 3 cm thick can protect the room to a fairly good extent. If you increase the foam layer, you can achieve a very high level of noise absorption. The insulation is made from several sheets of expanded polystyrene, sealing the outer layer with a rigid facing material. This design can absorb almost 100% of noise.

Wall soundproofing diagram.

But it is worth remembering that polystyrene foam is afraid of contact with chemical compounds (ethyl alcohol, acetone, white spirit, gasoline, kerosene). This is explained, first of all, by the structural features of the foam, which contains cells filled with air.

When using penoplex and expanded polystyrene in construction, a number of positive aspects can be highlighted. These include:

ease and ease of processing; use without additional precautions; non-susceptibility to deformation.

User opinions

“In 2012, I began external thermal insulation of a house made of sand-lime brick with 30 mm EPS slabs in 2 layers. I was attracted by its price (about 100 rubles per extruded sheet) and characteristics. At first I covered only 1 wall with polystyrene foam, but the effect was noticeable in winter: it was much warmer than the rest. The next year he continued, doing everything on his own. After this, we even had to turn off one radiator in a large room and reduce the degree of heating of the coolant. Warmth and gas savings are evident everywhere.”

Sergey, Nizhny Novgorod.

“I decided to insulate the pitched roof of a country house. The employees of the company I contacted recommended extruded slabs. Before agreeing, I read the reviews: some wrote about health hazards, but were somehow vague. To prevent the insulation from overheating in hot weather, we first laid foamed polyethylene with foil, then the slabs themselves, 100 mm thick, sheets of polystyrene foam (5 cm) with a locking mechanism, and the final finishing. It turned out quickly and efficiently.”

Ilya Mikhailov, Moscow.

“We live in a panel house on the ground floor, and when frost sets in, the floor is simply icy. We started the renovation, doing everything gradually. The old screed was completely removed, waterproofing was laid and special polystyrene foam slabs, 5 cm thick, and reinforcing mesh were laid. A concrete screed was poured on top, and laminate was laid after drying. My feet don’t get cold now, the rooms are much warmer.”

Ivan, Yekaterinburg.

“I used extruded polystyrene foam to soundproof the interfloor ceiling of a wooden house. Sheets 5 cm thick were laid between the joists. I am completely satisfied with the result: if before you could clearly hear what the children were doing upstairs, now there is peace on the ground floor even during their loud games.”

Alexander Berestovsky, St. Petersburg.

“I was looking for material for insulating the base, comparing different options, reading reviews. I decided to go with the extruded type of polystyrene foam, although I came across information about its health hazards. But if there were grounds for concern, the material would not be approved for use. The work was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions, covering the top with 60x60 cm slabs of dark façade porcelain stoneware. 3 years have passed, the extruded insulation is performing its functions, everything is holding together, the surface is not warping.”

Yuri, Voronezh.

Ceilings, their sound insulation with penoplex

Soundproofing work requires an integrated approach, only then will everything be done efficiently and reliably.

1. The surface of the ceiling is cleaned of plaster so that the working surface of the ceiling is better and of higher quality.
2. To prevent mold and mildew from appearing over the years, the prepared ceiling should be treated with an antiseptic.
3. Apply a layer of liquid waterproofing agent.
4. The reinforcing mesh must be fixed to the ceiling surface.
5. Using special glue, attach the penoplex to the fixed mesh.
6. Next, cover everything with plasterboard, after which finishing work is carried out over the entire surface of the ceiling, depending on wishes and taste.

As you work, you should not forget about things like cracks on the surface of the ceiling, as well as where the most noise comes from. You may have to sew up not only the ceiling, but also the floor, and maybe the walls. Some surfaces may not provide the desired soundproofing effect, since extraneous sounds do not travel through them, and the work done will be unnecessary.

Experienced builders use penoplex foam with a specially shaped edge to work on heat and sound insulation. This feature of the material makes installation much easier, avoiding the formation of “cold bridges”, and sound insulation is more effective.

If you resort to the help of specialists who carry out work on insulation and soundproofing of the ceiling in 2 layers, then the price on average can be about 1800 rubles for a room up to 30m2. The cost of the work usually includes all necessary materials, delivery and loading and unloading operations.

Classic technologies

Extruded polystyrene foam - properties and technical characteristics

There are a lot of fairly simple and quite affordable ways to equip high-quality soundproofing of the ceiling in an apartment. Get rid of annoying screams, stomping and noise from upstairs neighbors once and for all. Equip your ceiling with reliable sound-absorbing materials, and you will be surprised how much calmer you will live in your apartment. For this purpose, you can use any of the many possible materials. Fortunately, today there are dozens (if not hundreds) of such options. Modern technologies in the field of construction and engineering offer us the latest substances and innovative techniques. However, the following traditional materials still remain the most popular.

Styrofoam

This is perhaps the most popular and widely used method, having been extremely popular for many years and receiving only positive reviews. Polyfoam is quite affordable and easy to use, in addition, it has excellent sound insulation properties. Watch the video carefully and you can get acquainted in more detail with the process of insulating the ceiling using polystyrene foam.

Mineral wool

This method is perhaps almost as popular as the technology based on the use of foam plastic. You can install this design yourself. The main advantage of mineral wool is its amazing soundproofing abilities and excellent noise absorption properties. This method has one drawback - the thickness of the entire structure, which includes insulation, will be quite significant (up to fifteen centimeters), which will significantly reduce the height of the ceiling. However, reviews of such installations are mostly positive, which is explained by the excellent quality of sound insulation.

In addition to these common classic materials, there are more modern and relevant methods for isolating sound waves. Let's talk about them in more detail.

Common Methods

The most relevant and effective method of sound insulation today is to cover the ceiling with plasterboard on top of special sound-absorbing modern materials.

Quite often there is also a method that is based on the installation of special acoustic suspension systems. In this case, polyurethane blocks, cork, basalt wool, etc. can act as soundproofing agents.

Do not forget that soundproofing a ceiling traditionally involves all sorts of accompanying work. One of the main tasks is the installation of an auxiliary structure. These can be the following types of systems:

• Tensile structures. In this case, special parts are attached directly to the surface, onto which fabric or other coverings are attached.
• Hemming systems. The metal frame is covered with sheets of plasterboard.
• Suspended structures. Soundproofing boards are suspended from the ceiling surface.

In all these cases, the use of special insulating substances is required (today you have a huge choice). All cracks, cracks, gaps and holes must be securely sealed with such materials. Only then will you be able to provide yourself with high-quality, effective and long-term sound insulation, which will give you a feeling of calm and confidence.

Don't tolerate annoying sounds coming from above. If you are familiar with this problem, you can ask your neighbors to install soundproofing flooring in their home. However, if you fail to come to an agreement with them, do not be discouraged. Having carried out competent, high-quality and reliable sound insulation of the ceiling, you will forget about this problem once and for all. And from now on, you will always be in a good mood and will be able to properly rest and relax when you return home from work in the evening.

Properties of penoplex and expanded polystyrene

From everything stated earlier, we can conclude that this material is a fairly valuable and useful building material that has a number of positive qualities.

To all of the above properties you can add a few more:

• low weight, due to which the use of such insulation can significantly reduce costs during construction work, while saving money on the use of any special equipment and greatly reducing installation time;
• the material is quite easy to process. The fact is that working with some materials necessarily involves the use of various equipment: protective overalls, respirators, gloves and goggles. Polystyrenes are odorless, do not emit dust during processing and do not cause skin irritation;
• polystyrenes are resistant to biological influences and chemical environments; they are highly resistant to various substances: sea water, cement, various saline solutions and many others. They are not digestible by animals or microorganisms, and do not create a breeding ground for fungi or bacteria;
• transportation, storage, cutting and installation can be carried out without the use of special protective equipment;
• when pressed the materials are very durable;
• expanded polystyrene is breathable;
• penoplex and polystyrene have excellent energy saving indicators, for example, polystyrene foam, which is only 3 cm thick, is equivalent to 64 cm of brickwork, 123 cm of concrete and 11.3 cm of wood;
• Penoplex has very low breathability.

Noise insulation with polystyrene foam: disadvantages of the method

To list the disadvantages of the penoplex soundproofing method, it is necessary to clarify the disadvantages of the material.
The main drawback of the master is considered to be the percentage of fire. In a fire, penoplex emits toxic smoke.

Penoplex is not used as a soundproofing material in wooden houses and buildings. The material cannot remove moisture from a wooden structure. Subsequently, a fungus appears on the tree; the tree does not “breathe.”

Penoplex sound insulation dampens impact noise worse. These are repair and restoration work, construction. A smaller percentage of sound suppression from neighbors is a minus.

And also a minus - it requires skill and time.

Penoplex is a unique building material that combines several functions:

• thermal insulation – saving on electricity, heating costs;
• sound insulation – comfortable rest after a working day;
• smooth surface - even when carrying out plastering and puttying work, there is no need to waste time on leveling.

The disadvantages of the material are minor; during installation, the craftsmen do not mention fire safety or do not emphasize that penoplex will make the room completely quiet.

The use of penoplex for sound insulation

The material is produced in slabs with a thickness of 2 to 10 cm. For sound insulation, penoplex 5 cm thick is used. Installation is carried out on the floor, walls, ceiling, but it is not at all necessary to cover all these surfaces to avoid unnecessary costs. First you need to find out where the source of the annoying noise is: from above, below or from neighbors through the wall.

Soundproofing walls and ceilings

The principle of laying penoplex on walls and ceilings is similar. First you need to prepare the surface: clean it of the old layer of plaster, level it, treat it with an antiseptic, and prime it. Then the slabs are glued end-to-end without gaps onto a smooth surface, secured in several places for strength with special dowels with wide heads, the joints are treated with polyurethane foam and leveled. Then a layer of plaster is applied to the walls or ceiling, after it has dried, they are puttied, primed and then a finishing coat is applied or wallpaper is glued.

Soundproofing the floor

First of all, the old floor covering is removed and the logs are dismantled. If glass wool insulation was laid underneath them, then that must also be removed. Before laying the penoplex, it is necessary to assemble a wooden frame for the stiffeners with cells according to the size of the slabs. Treat all cracks with polyurethane foam and seal with special tape. Then install the slabs, insulate all joints with foam and tape. The next stage is the installation of a base made of plywood or other material. And only after this the finishing floor covering is laid.

Soundproofing measures

Extruded polystyrene foam for flooring
It is required to take a comprehensive approach to reducing noise in an apartment, observing certain rules for performing the soundproofing procedure. Several sequential actions must be taken:

1. To soundproof floors, it is recommended to use extruded polystyrene foam with a certain compressive strength, since this surface will be constantly subject to intense loads and mechanical stress.
2. There are several ways to soundproof walls. This procedure can be carried out indoors or outdoors.
3. Ceiling insulation through the use of insulation boards is used when it is impossible to install a suspended version.

Penoplex is great for sound protection. The consumer has the opportunity to purchase material of various thicknesses. Penoplex can be securely fastened to insulated surfaces and is characterized by high strength and resistance to mechanical stress, thanks to which it can withstand a load of 400 kilograms. This property makes this sound-proofing material indispensable in floor finishing.

Sound insulation of walls

The use of penoplex in soundproofing walls is combined with thermal insulation. As for the external method, the walls are faced with a ventilated facade. In this case, it is better to entrust the work to specialists. You can make internal insulation yourself. It is carried out in several stages:

• material is cut;
• walls are marked for installation of slabs;
• using an adhesive solution, foam boards are glued;
• disc dowels are used to secure the slabs;
• Aluminum tape is applied at the junction of the plates; polyurethane foam can also be used here;
• the surface of the slabs must be plastered;
• final finishing work of the walls.

Soundproofing the floor

If you plan to install penoplex in an old apartment, you will need to open up the old wooden floor and dismantle the joists. If your apartment is located on the ground floor, then under the floor there is probably an insulating pad made of glass wool, which also needs to be removed. Only after these preparatory works can you begin laying soundproofing material.

The stages of the work are as follows:

• prepare the surface and material;
• we mount the frame so that the cells have the same size as the slab;
• we install slabs;
• seal the joints;
• We install plywood or another base on the surface of the frame;
• We install the finishing flooring on the floor.

Installation of penoplex on the ceiling

Soundproofing the ceiling may be required if neighbors upstairs annoy you with their stomping. Since there is no load on the ceiling that is typical for the floor, the material can be glued. Work order:

• you need to clean the ceiling from the old coating and prime it well;
• we attach the plates to the adhesive solution and secure them with dowels;
• joints must be sealed using polyurethane foam;
• apply a layer of plaster and wait for it to dry;
• The ceiling is puttyed and the finishing coat is applied.

Using the soundproofing material in question, you can achieve the desired result. Penoplex is an inexpensive material, thanks to which you can not only prevent extraneous sounds from entering your apartment, but also prevent neighbors from eavesdropping on your personal life.

To learn what material is best to use for sound insulation, see the video below.

How to avoid common mistakes and get the desired result

Polystyrene foam is an excellent material for insulating interior walls from extraneous sounds. However, you can also hear a negative opinion, to the point that no positive effect is observed or it is insignificant. Why do many craftsmen prefer to install polystyrene foam rather than mineral wool and similar materials? The answer is simple. Incorrect installation.

Indeed, basic errors when forming a soundproofing layer will not give the expected effect. When carrying out work, you must adhere to the main rule - do not leave cracks or gaps, ensuring a tight fit to the base and to individual parts of the structure.

Very often, plaster is made over polystyrene foam. It is very convenient, practical and inexpensive. In order for the layer of building mixture to be firmly held and have the necessary strength characteristics, a reinforcing mesh is first fixed onto the prepared area. Most often this is a synthetic material, but you can also use a metal analogue made from small-section wire or a manufactured stamping method.

Penoplex sound insulation

This material is known to many as an effective heat insulator, but it also has other advantages, one of which is sound insulation.
Penoplex is considered the most popular in the construction market; it is made from extruded polystyrene. The strong walls of penoplex with insulated cells, filled with air, have an arbitrary shape, and this structural feature provides high strength. In the USA, penoplex foam began to be used as a building material more than 50 years ago. Penoplex has many positive characteristics, such as:

1. Low water absorption
2. Minimum thermal conductivity
3. Low vapor permeability
4. Flexural and compressive strength
5. High level of sound insulation

It’s worth talking about this quality of penoplex in more detail. Given this characteristic of the material, it can be used to insulate any surface in the room. It can be called the most advantageous soundproofing material, since to work with it you do not need to have special tools or extensive work experience; all installation work can be easily done with your own hands.

When working with penoplex, it is necessary to lay it correctly, without leaving gaps, and foam the joints well. Even after years, the soundproofing qualities of the material do not decrease; for a maximum time it will also retain its other advantages. Penoplex will not rot, so the walls, floors or ceilings will be reliably protected from destruction.

Extruded polystyrene foam as a sound insulator

The use of extruded polystyrene foam for soundproofing walls and floors can be considered atypical. Initially, this material was intended for the construction of a thermal insulation layer in various structures, but quickly found wider application. Tests have revealed that it absorbs impact noise well, so it can be used in wall and floor structures for this purpose as well. The 20 mm thick thermal insulator is capable of absorbing up to 23 dB of impact noise. Not that much, however. For example, in order for the sound insulation of a floor made of extruded polystyrene foam to make itself felt, the thickness of the insulation must be at least 40 mm. In addition, the specific design of the wall and ceiling plays a role. This property of penoplex - to absorb a little noise - can be called a pleasant addition, nothing more. Here is another reason why flooring with extruded polystyrene foam has become increasingly popular lately. Builders prefer to use special sound insulators - rolled material, the thickness of which is 1-2 cm is enough to protect the apartment from noisy neighbors.

So it’s not possible to hope to insulate the house and at the same time isolate yourself from noise using ordinary extruded polystyrene foam. In order to provide effective sound absorption, there are special wall panels. The heat insulator in it acts as the “golden mean”, while the sides of the panels are laminated with foamed polyethylene foam, rubber, polymer cement, fiberglass mesh is introduced into the structure, etc. In other words, the same noise absorbers are added. This kind of extruded polystyrene foam is very suitable for soundproofing walls and floors. Such panels are distinguished by a smooth outer side, ready for finishing, and therefore are very convenient to use.

Panels made of extruded polystyrene foam “in a shell” are usually called sandwich panels. Do not confuse construction sandwich panels, in which the insulation is “rolled” into steel or cement-bonded sheets, with soundproofing panels intended for sound insulation and finishing of the room.

So, if you need to arrange not only thermal insulation, but also protection from extraneous sounds, you need to look for a material called a soundproof wall panel made of extruded polystyrene foam - the price for it will vary depending on the manufacturer and design features. The size of the panels is usually standard - 60 cm x 250 cm, thickness varies from 2 to 10 cm. The cost of one panel (20 mm thick) is from 1300 to 2.5 thousand rubles.

Summarize. It is possible to talk about the possibility of soundproofing floors, walls, and ceilings using extruded polystyrene foam, but with reservations. The following should be kept in mind:

• Extruded polystyrene foam by itself does not provide good sound absorption
• In order to provide sound and heat insulation in one fell swoop, it is recommended to use soundproofing wall panels made of extruded polystyrene foam, the price of which is quite high
• You can reduce the cost of the solution by additionally using a roll sound insulator such as “Shumanet”, “Isofon”, etc.

Types of foam

The construction industry offers a significant range of products in this class. Foam grades reflect its origin and characteristics. There are two types of material. Pressed and non-pressed. It is not difficult to distinguish from. The first is a single porous body, and the second is produced by sintering ready-made granules, which is clearly visible visually. For sound insulation, preference is given to non-pressed soft foam. It effectively dampens vibrations and is easy to process.

In construction, the most popular types are the following, which indicate the following foam markings:

• PSB. Pressless foam plastic of several modifications. The last digit in the abbreviation means the strength class. For example, PSB-S-50 is the most durable material in this category. Used where mechanical strength is required. PSB-S-25 is a universal material widely used in construction for many purposes. The softest product is PSB-S-15. Due to excessive fragility and fragility, it is rarely used. It can become attractive solely because of its low price. If the letter F appears in the name, this means that the product can be used in facade work.
• PPU. Foamed mass based on polyurethane. One of the modifications is foam rubber. The material is elastic and very convenient to use, but its cost is quite high. For this reason it is used in limited quantities.
• PPE. The polyethylene base provides elasticity and wear resistance. This marking can be found in hardware stores on many products, but is rarely used for sound insulation.
• PVC. Polyvinyl chloride foam. It is distinguished by the absence of substances harmful to health. The environmental friendliness of the material, which manifests itself under normal operating conditions, is attractive, but danger arises during combustion. Exceeding the critical temperature leads to the destruction of structural bonds and the release of extremely dangerous hydrogen chloride, which, in combination with the liquid, begins to release hydrochloric acid. For the respiratory tract, the smoke emitted by PVC foam is very dangerous.

The most popular and widespread type of polystyrene foam is considered to be the material labeled PSB. Excellent performance combined with an affordable price make it attractive in all respects.

Advantages

There are a large number of advantages of the material in question. Consumers value it primarily because it repels water perfectly. This is one of its important positive characteristics. The value of this property is determined by the fact that such materials are very often used in conditions characterized by excessive humidity and temperature fluctuations, which lead to condensation.

It is important to consider that it is necessary to hide open sections of the material, since they differ in their ability to absorb moisture from closed cells. The following qualities should be highlighted as the main advantages:

1. Thermal conductivity. This material is characterized by a low degree of thermal conductivity. Thanks to this property, combined with the ability to reject moisture, penoplex can be used on any object. It can be mounted not only on walls, but also in attics and basements.
2. Low vapor permeability. Penoplex retains steam remarkably well, which is why it is compared to roofing felt. The material in question can be used for a long time. When used, it will withstand various external aggressive factors. Plates can survive a huge number of freezing and thawing cycles, while maintaining their original properties. Many manufacturers say that penoplex can be used for about 50 years. If this material is properly fastened, the service life can even be extended.
3. Strength and other properties. The soundproofing material penoplex is characterized by good strength. This indicates that it is able to withstand intense loads and high pressure. This quality is due to the fact that the penoplex base contains small bubbles that prevent its compression. The use of slabs is characterized by simplicity. If necessary, they can be easily cut, and the material will not crumble. To carry out this procedure, you can use a regular knife.

Using penoplex as sound insulation can significantly reduce the amount of noise penetrating into the room. Consumers of this material claim that after this sound insulation, the room became much quieter and warmer. The cost of the material is affordable, which is an additional advantage. It shows itself remarkably in residential areas in soundproofing the ceiling. A definite advantage is that to work with penoplex it is not necessary to have certain skills in this area. Therefore, you can do sound insulation yourself, even with a suspended ceiling.

The soundproofing properties of the material have only positive reviews.

Soundproofing in an apartment: how to choose materials

There are two types of materials that reduce noise levels in an apartment: sound insulation and sound absorption. Materials for sound insulation reduce the level of noise when passing through them; for sound absorption, they reduce the level of the reflected signal. In order for the room not to be “boomy”, sound absorption is required, in order not to hear the neighbors, sound insulation is required, but the best results are achieved using both types of materials.

When installing sound insulation according to traditional schemes, the sound-absorbing materials are usually mineral wool - basalt or fiberglass with a density of 35-40 kg/m3. They are the ones that have optimal characteristics - they scatter sound waves characteristic of speech within their thickness. Rigid enclosing materials are used for sound absorption - gypsum fiber board, gypsum plasterboard, plywood, OSB. They can all be used, since they have approximately the same sound reflection characteristics, but two layers of different materials work better - the sound is more attenuated when passing through layers of different densities.

Soundproofing characteristics of some types of mineral wool in the speech range

A little about whether it is worth using soundproofing mineral wool. When using it, sound insulation characteristics increase by 2-5 dB

In some cases this is important, in others it can be neglected. Especially if you look at the price: it is 2-3 times higher than conventional mineral wool of this density

So if there is a need to save money, you can choose from normal brands of ordinary basalt or mineral wool. The characteristics of some of them are shown in the table above, and some common brands of specialized materials are shown in another table below.

As you can see, it is quite possible to choose basalt wool that is close in characteristics to specialized ones.

A few words about the use of various thin materials - films, foam, metallized and others. They cannot be used as protection against airborne noise (speech that we hear through fences). They hardly work at all. They may reduce impact noise a little, but you will hear your neighbors' conversations just as clearly (if you're lucky, a little quieter).

Test results of various designs

If you want good sound insulation in your apartment, you definitely shouldn’t skimp on vibration isolation from the walls and ceiling (when organizing frame sound insulation). The fact that it is worth laying soundproofing pads under the profiles has already been discussed, as well as the use of vibration-damping suspensions. But it is also very advisable to mount the racks not rigidly, but using SilentJoint - a vibration-decoupling mount, which provides an additional improvement in performance. These are gaskets made from a special material called Sylomer. By the way, it can be used as pads for vibration-sound decoupling instead of these fasteners, but it is unlikely to be cheaper. Another question is if you don’t find such fastenings. Then “Silomer” is the best solution.

Features of decorative finishing for soundproofing with foam plastic

Many questions arise when finishing a soundproofed wall. For example, is it possible to glue wallpaper onto foam plastic? How to install drywall? Will the tiles stick securely if the tiles are glued to foam plastic? Any job can be done, but whether the result will satisfy you is a big question. To successfully complete finishing work, you need to understand the principle of working with foam plastic.

The material is quite soft and subject to deformation under physical influence, even minor. Having created a reinforcing layer on the surface, you can use absolutely any finishing material.

If you need to glue tiles in a room, then doing it directly onto the foam is impractical. In this case, it would be wise to first make a layer of plaster or install drywall, and then glue the tiles to your health; they will last as long as a concrete or brick wall. The same principle should be applied when wallpapering.

Moreover, the glue for this type of work is water-soluble and you will have to wait a long time for it to dry, since it cannot be absorbed into the synthetic mass. First the reinforcing, leveling compound, and then the wallpaper. If all operations are done correctly, the performance characteristics of the surface will not be affected, but the noise in the apartment will be reduced.

People, as a rule, do not think too often about sound insulation when building a house.

And indeed, when carrying out such complex processes, there is already something to pay attention to

A floor that is protected from noise loads by insulating with penoplex

But if a built house or a lived-in apartment is poorly protected from extraneous noise, then the problem of sound insulation will come first. Agree, it is unlikely that anyone will enjoy living in a house where sounds from the street or neighbors are constantly heard. We also recommend installing siding with insulation.

What kind of noise is there?

What noise can be heard in the apartment? Most often, a peaceful rest at home is disturbed by external and internal noise. External noise includes sounds coming from the street: cars passing nearby, children walking in the yard, barking dogs, loud conversations of passers-by. Installing high-quality double-glazed windows on your windows will help you cope with these types of noise.

The situation with indoor noise is more complicated. These include directly: the sounds of a moving elevator, slamming entrance doors, voices heard on the landing - as well as intra-apartment and intra-room sounds. They represent noise from the movement of neighbors: slamming doors in an adjacent apartment, stomping feet, loud conversations or loud TV sound.

You can combat the latest types of noise using soundproofing of the reproductive system. The very design of multi-storey buildings contributes to the spread of sounds between apartments. All the walls and ceilings of the house are interconnected, so they transmit sounds between apartments quite quickly. This type of noise is called structural noise, since shock vibrations are transmitted from one part of the building to another.

General soundproofing scheme for a wooden floor.

Structural noise can be successfully dealt with: it is almost impossible to get rid of it completely, but it is quite possible to drown it out as much as possible. Why is floor soundproofing so important? The floor in an apartment in a multi-storey building is a concrete covering or wooden flooring - a horizontal surface that perfectly distributes extraneous sounds. By soundproofing your floor, you can forget about most extraneous sounds.

Working with foam plastic

Now let's talk about how to soundproof walls. To create sound insulation with foam plastic, special boards are used. These plates are made using 2 lead plates with a sheet of polystyrene foam sandwiched between them. It is worth noting that it cannot be an independent material for removing a noise source. Its effectiveness is manifested only in the vicinity of additional components.

In practice, closed cell foam is widely used. It is very good for soundproofing rooms with increased noise penetration. For example, this product is used in the construction of walls and partitions of motor ships. Closed foam with the addition of vinyl film becomes an ultra-resistant solution in the fight against noise. This material is used to lay the structures of ventilation and heating systems. Due to the high resistance of vinyl foam to negative natural phenomena, it is used for external insulation of walls. This innovative product is suitable for isolating reflected noise. For example, vinyl foam layers are widely used to insulate air conditioning systems and to absorb engine work in cars. Vinyl foam is good in shooting range structures because it cleans well and dries quickly.

Polystyrene foam is divided into various types of grades. The most common of them are:

Floor soundproofing diagram.

1. PSB-S-50. Differs in versatility and hardness. It is used for internal and external sound insulation, for sound absorption of roofs and floors. It is used to cover the floors of refrigeration equipment and to insulate the underground in auto repair shops and garages. Widely used as coatings to protect subfloors from freezing.
2. PSB-S-35. It is characterized by low cost. Soundproofing foam of this brand is applicable for insulating walls, foundations, and ceilings. Used in the manufacture of reinforced concrete panels, insulation of underground communications, to prevent soil shrinkage.
3. PSB-S-25. This type of polystyrene foam boards is mainly used for insulation in domestic conditions.
4. PSB-S-25F. The basis is the insulation of facades.

The foam is attached using various compounds and tools. These include:

• glue;
• special mastic;
• cement mortar;
• metal elements for installation.

Alternatively, the insulating structure can be installed directly on the wall: indoors or outdoors.

It is imperative that after the foam structure has been installed, it is necessary to begin facing work. To do this, some kind of base is laid on top of the polystyrene foam sheets, and then the surface is plastered. Insulation works can be covered with brickwork, tiles or other finishing materials.

The best option for sound absorption are PSB-S slabs, which are installed on the inner surface of the walls.

This manipulation will help achieve increased acoustic comfort and thermal insulation.

Summary

The affordable price and good technical characteristics of expanded polystyrene provide a wide range of its applications. It is most necessary in construction for insulation and sound insulation:

• loggias, verandas, balconies;
• pipelines;
• flat roofs, inversion (with reverse order of layers) roofing;
• foundations, basements, ground floors;
• interfloor ceilings, floors - and it is allowed to lay polystyrene foam directly on the ground;
• pitched roofs, attics and attics;
• facades, interior walls.

Extruded slabs are laid during the construction of airports, roads and railways, and the arrangement of drainage systems. They eliminate the occurrence of deformations associated with soil freezing. Also, according to user reviews, polystyrene foam produced by extrusion is necessary in beekeeping (for making hives), in agriculture (insulation of various objects, the root system of young plants), and as containers. In the future, it will be needed as a furniture board, an integral part of sandwich panels.

Opinions about the dangers of extruded polystyrene foam are controversial; most experts believe that if the production technology is followed, the impact on human and pet health is minimal and cannot lead to negative consequences. But some continue to argue that during the initial period of operation of extruded blocks, a dangerous monomer, styrene, is released. The latter belongs to slightly toxic substances of hazard class 2 and causes irritation of mucous membranes.

Polystyrene foam produced by extrusion is more harmful during combustion, when it emits acrid smoke. But the options offered on the market are mainly classified as class G4, that is, the cause of fire is an open flame (for example, a blowtorch, match), or a gas welding spark. Expanded polystyrene will not ignite from a thrown cigarette butt or hot metal

Its important characteristic is the impossibility of maintaining the combustion process - if the source is eliminated, polystyrene foam will quickly extinguish. To enhance this ability during production, it is impregnated with fire retardants.

Expenses

The cost of extruded polystyrene foam depends on its thickness, density, and size. It differs from one manufacturer to another. Typically, insulation is specially packaged to facilitate transportation and protect against external factors. Based on the main characteristics (dimensions, density), a different number of sheets are supplied, which is why the price per m2 or m3 is often indicated. Shipping should also be taken into account to calculate final costs. According to reviews, if the work on insulation with polystyrene foam is not carried out independently, this increases the cost by another 20%.

Types of polystyrene foam sound insulation

Is it possible to soundproof with polystyrene foam? Penoplex and expanded polystyrene are the most popular soundproofing materials on the construction market. Both products are produced using polystyrene foam.

Penoplex is a derivative of expanded polystyrene. It makes excellent sound insulation.

Expanded polystyrene is an environmentally friendly, harmless, heat-resistant, soundproof material. Its quality characteristics have been known for a long time and are in great demand. This material is easy to use and economical.

Floor soundproofing diagram.

Another type of foam is polyurethane foam. The cells of this foam are of arbitrary shape with fairly strong walls. In this regard, very high strength of the foam is achieved. This type is flexible and has excellent thermal insulation. One of the disadvantages is destruction from penetrating ultraviolet radiation.

The next type of foam is polyethylene foam. This type is characterized by a high level of flexibility, increased strength and elasticity. Outwardly it looks like a translucent panel up to 2 cm thick. It is not used for the installation of soundproofing structures, but is good for packaging materials.

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In the apartment on the left, a child diligently repeats scales on the double bass, rowdy neighbors are swearing on the right, above you - the owner has been renovating for the second year... And you came from the night shift and dream of falling asleep in silence. If you don’t want to live with earplugs and be aware of the personal lives of those around you, you need to carry out noise and sound insulation with foam plastic.

Sound insulation ensures comfortable living in an apartment building. You don't have to adjust your schedule to your neighbors' schedule. You protect yourself from noise of all kinds.

Installation features

At the installation stage, the future characteristics of the soundproofing layer are laid down. The installation method is a key factor. Sound insulation will be satisfactory if there is an understanding of the processes taking place. This will allow you to most effectively protect your home from extraneous sounds and avoid mistakes.

To do this, it is necessary to consider all installation methods with an assessment of the final result:

• Fixation with glue. Convenient, economical and most effective installation method. If foam plastic is glued to concrete, brick, plaster, then the most complete fit is ensured. Vibrations in this case are damped well. Do not use adhesives
• Installation of foam plastic with fasteners. The method is good for external use. Often used for insulation and soundproofing of walls.

Inserting into the cells of the sheathing. A large number of individual elements creates risks for complete shelter. It is difficult to avoid gaps and cracks. Rigid metal profiles that transmit vibrations well also do not contribute to good sound insulation.

External sound insulation is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. Careful preparation of the base and elimination of irregularities.
2. Installation of ridge and drip cornices.
3. Applying primer to the surface.
4. Installation of polystyrene foam using adhesive.
5. Application of dowels.
6. Elimination of joints.
7. Installation of a vapor barrier film - it will help to better dampen extraneous sounds.
8. Finishing the facade with the first layer of plaster with mesh.
9. Finish wall cladding.

The differences with indoor work are minor. But you still have to work. Therefore, in the absence of sufficient experience, it is worth ordering the services of specialists.