Introduction
Living in a semi‑detached house or flat, party walls are often the weak link when it comes to unwanted noise. Whether it’s the thump of bass, loud conversations, or TV sounds, the shared wall between you and your neighbours can let in much more than you’d like. The good news: with the right approach and materials, you can greatly reduce sound transfer and enjoy a quieter, more peaceful home.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- What a party wall is and typical sound issues
- Key principles of soundproofing
- The different wall systems available (with solutions from Soundproofing UK)
- Practical tips and trade‑offs
- FAQs
What is a Party Wall?
A party wall is a dividing wall shared by two separate residences (terraced houses, semi‑detached) or between flats. Sound travels through walls in two main ways:
- Airborne noise: voices, TV, music.
- Flanking and structure‑borne noise: bass, footsteps, or vibrations travelling through the building structure.
Key Principles of Soundproofing
- Mass — heavier walls block more sound.
- Damping — materials that dissipate vibration.
- Decoupling — separating surfaces to prevent vibration transfer.
- Absorption — filling cavities with acoustic insulation.
- Sealing — airtight construction prevents sound leaks.
Wall Systems from Soundproofing UK
Here are some of the wall options we offer and how they help reduce noise.
Independent Wall System
- Construction: Metal stud, RW3 Rockwool, resilient bars, dense plasterboard, Tecsound50, and acoustic plasterboard.
- Depth lost: ~107mm
- Best for: Maximum performance, especially against bass and impact noise.
- Pros: Excellent airborne and impact noise reduction.
- Cons: Higher cost, more disruption, and loss of space.
SM20 Wall System
- Construction: 20mm high‑density rubber panel + 2 layers of acoustic plasterboard (upgradeable with SBX board).
- Depth lost: ~45mm
- Best for: Where space is limited.
- Pros: Compact, good performance for TV and conversation noise.
- Cons: Less effective against very low frequencies.
Resilient Bar Wall
- Construction: Resilient bars, 50mm RW60 wool, dense board + acoustic plasterboard.
- Depth lost: ~50.8mm
- Best for: A good compromise between performance and space.
- Pros: Solid reduction of airborne noise.
- Cons: More complex installation.
Genie Clip Wall
- Construction: Genie Clips + furring channels, RW3 Rockwool, dense boards, TecSound50, acoustic plasterboard.
- Depth lost: ~83mm
- Best for: High‑performance solution without a full rebuild.
- Pros: Excellent isolation, premium system.
- Cons: More costly and requires professional fitting.
Like‑for‑Like Walls
- Construction: Replace existing plasterboard, add Rockwool, TecSound50, and acoustic plasterboard.
- Depth lost: Minimal
- Best for: Where space loss must be avoided.
- Pros: Least disruptive.
- Cons: Modest improvements, less effective against low‑frequency noise.
How to Choose the Right System
Ask yourself:
- What type of noise bothers you most (speech, TV, bass)?
- How much space can you sacrifice?
- What’s your budget?
- How much disruption can you tolerate?
Practical Tips
- Seal gaps: Around sockets, skirting, and edges with acoustic sealant.
- Mind penetrations: Box in or insulate around pipes and wires.
- Combine treatments: For best results, consider walls, floors, and ceilings together.
- Professional assessment: Soundproofing UK offers free visits and quotes to ensure the right solution.
FAQs
Q: Will adding plasterboard alone help?
A: Only slightly—layering without damping or decoupling won’t address bass or vibration.
Q: Do I need to soundproof the floor and ceiling too?
A: Possibly. Noise often travels through multiple routes, not just walls.
Q: Is this permanent?
A: Yes. Once installed, systems are long‑lasting with little maintenance.
Conclusion
Soundproofing a party wall can greatly improve comfort and peace at home. From compact systems like the SM20 to high‑performance options like the Independent Wall System, there’s a solution for every space and budget.
At Soundproofing UK, we can help you choose the right wall system and provide a free assessment and quotation. Explore our wall soundproofing systems here.
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