If you live in a crowded city, you probably hear noise all the time, whether it’s from a construction project nearby or car alarms that just won’t go off. But we should not underestimate noise pollution. Scientists warn ‌of its dangers to our health and the environment.

Luckily, there are many ways to increase soundproofing in your home and get peace of mind. Contacting drywall contractors is a good place to start.

Read on to discover how drywall can dampen sound in interior spaces.

Why Soundproof Your Home

Our lives are filled with sound. Some are softer and quieter, like the sound of a gentle wind, while others can knock you off balance. According to scientists, sounds over 85 decibels can damage our hearing. Yet, even the most common sounds pass that threshold (leaf blowers, motorcycles, music concerts, car sirens, etc.)

In addition, noise pollution and intense sounds can cause stress, heart disease, high blood pressure, and disturbed sleep patterns. So, soundproofing your home will not only protect your privacy but will also prove beneficial for your hearing and overall health.

How to Dampen Sound in the House

There are many techniques for creating a tight soundproof barrier between your rooms, your home, and the outdoors. Those concerning indoor and outdoor walls are the most effective ones:

Wall partition – You will dampen the sound by increasing the mass of your wall partition, i.e. non-load bearing walls. You can achieve this by adding lead, mass-loaded vinyl, or an extra drywall layer.
Air space – Another way to dampen sound is to increase the air quantity within the wall itself. You can do this by building double walls or a resilient channel.
Sound absorbing materials – Add materials that can absorb sound. Two great examples are insulation and sound-dampening glue.

What is Drywall?

Drywall is a common construction material that became especially popular in the 20th century. It goes by many names: plasterboard, sheetrock, gypsum board, and custard board. In its essence, drywall is a panel that is made of gypsum.

Manufacturers can combine gypsum with a plasticizer, fiber, additives, and foaming agents—these further highlight its primary positive qualities: moisture resistance, fireproofing, soundproofing, and stability.

Soundproof vs Regular Drywall

When using drywall for soundproofing, it’s important to choose thicker drywall—for instance, the five-eights drywall instead of the half-inch one.

Keep in mind that regular drywall is not fully soundproof. The drywall vibrates when in contact with sound waves; simply put, it allows noise to pass through rather than blocking it. But, you can eliminate this issue by choosing soundproof drywall.

Besides gypsum, soundproof drywall also has ceramics and viscoelastic in its interior layers. Combined with the gypsum, these two further boost sound blocking, making soundproof drywall a highly effective tool for dampening sound.

Contact Drywall Brandon Fl Contractors

Want to boost your soundproofing? We can help you create your dream property, whether you are looking to revamp your kitchen, install soundproof drywall, or build an addition.

At Tam Bay Construction, we provide general contractor services, and we have over 100 completed projects in the Tampa Bay area. Additionally, we have over 30 years of experience in commercial and residential construction.