Despite the fact that modern construction uses sound-absorbing materials, the gaps are carefully closed, and the walls are not plank partitions in the hut, but still the problem of muting and / or eliminating various sounds and noises that enter the apartment from the outside is relevant. The indistinct mumble of the neighbors behind the wall, the sounds of the elevator working at night and the shuffling of the legs of the late residents of the house, are heard even after several floors.
Of course, not everything depends on the sound insulation of the walls, as sounds penetrate through the windows and open windows, the floor and ceiling of the apartment. However, the vast majority of sound vibrations can be eliminated by thin sound insulation of walls in the apartment under the wallpaper. A free bonus is the improvement of thermal insulation and alignment of walls. At the same time, there can be no talk of a “frame system” of noise absorption. After all, she “eats” too much usable area of the apartment.
Types and power of volume of noise
Sound insulation resists noise having different types of origin and strength:
- Shock - the most annoying and effectively penetrating obstacles (walls, ceilings and partitions). It occurs, as a rule, during the work of construction tools.
- Airy - caused by screams, loud conversation, the operation of the TV, as well as the reproduction of musical works, the noise of which is transmitted through the air.
- Structural - the noise that causes vibration.
Noise, as a rule, is transmitted in all these ways, but it is all about the strength with which it overcomes obstacles and reaches our senses.
According to the current sanitary and hygienic standards, at night (from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) noise is allowed up to 30 decibels, and the rest of the time - no more than 40. In this matter, the noise frequency is also important. For example:
- 20 decibels is a whisper.
- 60 decibels - a conversation.
- 100 decibels - the noise of the train in the subway.
- 130 decibels - the sound of a siren.
- 180 decibels is a deadly level.
- 200 decibels is a noise weapon.
Soundproofing walls in the apartment under the wallpaper
Currently, there are so many materials for installing noise insulation coatings that the head is spinning. We briefly list the main ones:
- Canvas made of foamed polyethylene.
- Cork coating.
- Non-woven material (non-woven).
- Membranes made of polymers or rubbers (thin self-adhesive film).
- Sheet materials (mineral wool, paper, gypsum fiber, panels made of quartz chips and so on).
- Roll materials (felt, foam rubber, rubber and so on).
Soundproofing for wallpaper in an apartment from the above materials is so easy to install that it can be done (if the instructions are strictly followed) by the residents themselves. At the same time, the natural substances from which both the materials themselves and the adhesives are made provide chemical and environmental safety both during the work and subsequently. However, do not neglect the basic safety rules when carrying out this kind of work. Work clothes, rubber gloves for the hands, construction glasses and possibly a respirator are required.
Foamed polyethylene
It is very popular in the implementation of noise isolation, including due to low noise and heat conductivity, virtually no weight and increased porosity.
The EcoHit substrate is made of physically foamed and cross-linked PES isolon. It is very thin (up to 5 mm). On both sides it is “sheathed” with special white paper so as not to shine through thin wallpapers, and its water absorption tends to zero. Its advantages, in addition to reducing extraneous noise by 20 decibels and heat loss:
- Prevents the appearance of condensation and, accordingly, dampness, mold and fungus.
- It contributes to the creation of a positive microclimate in the room when it is cooler in summer and somewhat warmer in winter.
- Serves without deterioration in quality up to 50 years.
- Relatively low price.
The existing analogue is the Polyfom substrate (Hungary). The main disadvantage of foamed polyethylene is its vapor impermeability. However, it is easily eliminated by establishing good ventilation (ventilation) in the apartment.
Cork backing
This is a great material for soundproofing under the wallpaper. In terms of thermal conductivity, it is comparable to polystyrene. It is indicated for use in rooms that come into contact with the external environment with two walls, as well as after connecting balconies (loggias).
Important! Cork backing is an extremely clean environmental material.
He very muffles sharp street and house sounds, and also fights with vibration. It has increased adhesion - interaction (adhesion) with the surface of the wall and wallpaper (paint, liquid wallpaper). It is important that the cork is antistatic and fireproof.
Non-woven material - non-woven
Unlike the cork backing, non-woven has excellent vapor permeability, tear resistance, abrasion resistance and fire resistance. This almost transparent non-woven fabric consists of semi-synthetic, paper-like, cellulose fibers.
Therefore, additional ventilation of the rooms is not required, and self-ventilation of the glued walls is also carried out. The elasticity of this inexpensive non-woven fabric perfectly hides all minor dents, scratches and bulges of the walls. Flizelin is sold in rolls up to 12 meters long and up to 100 centimeters wide. Glue it on the walls both vertically and horizontally.
Due to the texture, non-woven is used either as a basis for painting walls, or as thin sound insulation for wallpaper. Being absolutely smooth, non-woven, thanks to the glued vinyl layer, takes on any pattern. On this substrate, you can stick thin semi-transparent wallpapers and get a unique game of color and texture.
Wall preparation. Preparation and gluing of the substrate and wallpaper
Before gluing the substrate, it is not necessary to do, but it is still recommended that the walls be aligned with plaster with re-priming. Previously, paper, including newsprint, played the role of a substrate.
The substrate is glued tightly, overlapping strips (the joints are seized with masking tape), the day after the preparation of the wall surface. It is more convenient to glue vertically, although horizontal gluing also takes place. Adhesive should be applied only to that specified in the instructions for this type of substrate. If the substrates are heavy, then not only they are glued, but also the surface of the wall. When pasting with non-woven material, glue it is better to cover only the surface. So say the experts. Self-adhesive substrates, including the membrane type, are glued only to the prepared wall surface, naturally, without the use of an additional composition.
The substrate chosen well to create the corresponding interior of the apartment is glued to the well-grasped substrate with the wall. Moreover, any substrate provides for repeated peeling off of old wallpaper and sticker of new ones.
Soundproofing of wooden walls
Wood is a superconductor of noise. No wonder the domes of conservatories and similar buildings are finished with material from certain types of wood. So, the issue of soundproofing of wooden walls should be approached with particular care. In this case, only roll insulation for wallpaper is suitable. And the choice is small - cork materials that provide greater noise absorption than others. Well, the fact that they are suitable for decoration when creating an interior in any style is a bonus.
Soundproofing under the wallpaper: reviews
What do the owners say? All owners note that the sound insulation for the wallpaper provides a significant reduction in the level of noise penetrating into the apartment. This is observed after installation of almost any of the sound insulation systems described above. In addition, they said, the interior design is actually improving.
A few negative reviews fall into several categories:
- There are practically no improvements, and part of the pasted substrate has fallen off. Most likely, this happened due to non-compliance with the technology of the work.
- They expected more, and the sound insulation for the wallpaper did not slightly reduce the sound penetrating the apartment. Firstly, no one can guarantee absolute elimination of noise. Secondly, it is necessary to isolate other channels of sound penetration (window openings, interstitial cracks, internal cavities of walls, including sockets, ceilings).
- It got better, but it's not worth the money spent. There are only two options. Either buy cheap materials and choose cheaper technology, or do nothing.
Conclusion
If prior to gluing the walls with a substrate, noise insulation of electrical outlets and other internal cavities of the walls is not carried out, then the effect of the insulation work will fall significantly. After studying the walls for active sound penetration through them, as a rule, two options arise:
- Moving the outlet to another location with its installation inside the wall or on top of it.
- Soundproofing under the wallpaper of the existing outlet space.
Important! If you do not have special knowledge and skills in electrical engineering, entrust this work to professionals. To close technological holes, concrete, basalt cotton wool and cardboard, asbestos fabrics and soundproof membranes are used.