Installing Acoustic Insulation

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Homeowners expect their rooms to be at least reasonably quiet. However, unless special care is taken by the builder, the homeowner is likely to hear anything from the snores in the adjacent room to the movie playing on the home theater down the hall.

Sound travels in waves and flows much like water or air. Any hole or opening that could let a draft in will let noise in. As new homes are built with larger, more open kitchens and living spaces, there's a greater chance that the noise level within the house will increase. Installing sound-dampening acoustic batt insulation into the home's interior walls during construction is the best practice for reducing noise traveling from room to room.

While installation of acoustic batt insulation is pretty much identical to standard batt insulation installation, here are a few tips to consider:

• Be sure that the insulation fits snugly into place, and that it fills the wall cavity. Gaps or holes will easily allow sound to flow through.
• Staple the insulation to the inside of the wall framing using the kraft flanges.
• Use a utility knife to carefully cut the insulation to fit around electrical boxes, pipes and other obstructions.
• Take extra care to make sure the acoustic insulation is kept dry during shipping and storage.

To reduce noise that travels from room to room, using acoustic batt insulation is a great place to start. You can also reduce noise in the house by installing thicker carpet and padding, choosing quieter home appliances, and by placing telephones on interior walls. To learn more about sound insulation within the home, check out the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association.