Soundproof my twin house?
 

I have an old twin and the party wall lets thru a lot more noise than I (or my neighbors) like...I have been looking at super expensive drywall material that is made for sound absorption, but its about 150 bucks per 4x8 sheet! It would cost a fortune to do the whole party wall...Has anyone done anything similar either in rooms in a house or (as in my case) 2 sides of a twin home? Someone suggested a nice shag rug?!? Anyone use any of the sound absorbing paints\sprays? All suggestions welcome and appreciated!

Thanks for the read,

Rad

do a google for building a music studio, or making your music studio soundproof for just soundproofing. Maybe you'll find something. You could also search for musician forums. I spend a lot of time on some sites and there are people that have their own music studios. I'd bet someone could help you there.

If you are willing to re-rock one side of the home you can always use fiberglass batting between the rock. Also, use 'green board' to re-rock one side - its heavier and more dense than standard rock.

Sound dissipating wall assemblies rely on "mechanical disconnection" of the members. An ideal wall has a 2 x 6 (or wider) plate and header with a system of 2 x 4 studs on each side, set on 16" centers, each side being on a different spacing schedule. That way, a wall membrane on one side can't mechanically transmit vibrations to the other side.

As kazoo pointed out you've got to figure out a way to disconnect from the other side. Sound is being carried through the floor; ceiling and studs in the wall. You could try dampening it with rugs, insulation etc. but I'd bet you won't be satisfied with the results because you still have the floor and ceiling to deal with.

You could try building a second wall in front of the party wall. Make sure the studs don't touch. And use boiler insulation on the back of it. It's nasty stuff but for dampening sound it's cheap and effective.

Good tips All, thanks for your 2 cents! a "faux wall" in front of the party wall is probably going to be the solution, in conjunction with some type of heavy drapery or curtain and carpeting which should do the job...thanks again for the how to guidance!

Rad

I am just doing my basement and used sound bar for the ceiling. You might want to look into that as well. Basically it holds your drywall off of the studs; this way you do not get as much sound going through. Not as expensive as what you are talking about.

A cheap way to go would be to put carpet on the wall. Effective and not as costly as foam.

There was a show on the DIYnetwork I just saw that could help.
It was on the Home Theater Workshop show. Episode DHTW-103; Building Walls, Floating a Floor.
http://www.diynet.com/diy/shows_dhtw..._36344,00.html