How to Soundproof a Stud Wall: Complete DIY Guide (2025)

Stud walls are notoriously poor at blocking sound. Whether you're dealing with noisy neighbours, sound transfer between bedrooms, or creating a quiet home office, timber stud walls present a significant soundproofing challenge.

With the right materials and techniques, you can achieve up to +17 dB noise reduction and meet UK Part E Building Regulations.

Why Stud Walls Fail at Soundproofing

Standard stud walls with 12.5mm plasterboard weigh only 8-10 kg/m²—far too light to block airborne noise. This creates three problems: lack of mass, cavity resonance, and flanking transmission through timber studs.

Result? Only 35-40 dB sound reduction—below the 43 dB Part E minimum.

Part E Building Regulations

You must comply with Part E when building new separating walls or converting properties.

Requirements: Walls between dwellings need 45 dB DnT,w + Ctr minimum. Walls between habitable rooms need 43 dB DnT,w minimum.

Four Principles of Soundproofing

1. Mass: Heavy materials block sound. Target 25-30 kg/m² minimum.
2. Damping: Convert vibration to heat.
3. Absorption: Fill cavities with mineral wool.
4. Decoupling: Break structural connections.

Best Materials for Stud Walls

High-Mass Soundproofing Panels

SilentBoard ProMax™ 30mm combines 15mm acoustic plasterboard, two 3mm high-mass barriers, and 9mm damping layer.

Performance: +17 dB improvement on stud walls
Weight: 28.5 kg/m²
Thickness: Just 30mm

View specifications →

Acoustic Mineral Wool

Use high-density mineral wool (60 kg/m³) to fill cavities. Standard loft insulation (10-15 kg/m³) provides minimal benefit.

Acoustic Sealant

Even 1mm gaps reduce performance by 5-10 dB. Use professional acoustic sealant on all joints and perimeters.

DIY Installation Guide

Materials:

• SilentBoard ProMax™ 30mm (1.44 m² per panel)
• 100mm acoustic mineral wool
• Acoustic sealant
• 50mm drywall screws

Steps:

1. Prepare wall: Clean surface, locate studs with stud finder.

2. Install mineral wool: Fill cavity completely with acoustic mineral wool.

3. Fix panels: Install SilentBoard ProMax™ 30mm to studs using 50mm screws at 300mm centres. Panels are 1200×1200mm and weigh 41kg.

4. Seal everything: Use acoustic sealant on all joints, perimeters, and penetrations. This is critical.

5. Finish: Apply plaster skim or tape and joint, then decorate.

Cost Breakdown (10 m² wall)

Single-Sided:

• SilentBoard ProMax™ 30mm: 7 panels = £757
• Acoustic mineral wool: £120
• Acoustic sealant: £27
• Fixings: £30
• Total: £934 (£93/m²)

Double-Sided:

• SilentBoard ProMax™ 30mm: 14 panels = £1,515
• Acoustic mineral wool: £120
• Acoustic sealant: £54
• Fixings: £50
• Total: £1,739 (£174/m²)

Calculate your requirements →

Common Mistakes

1. Poor sealing: Use proper acoustic sealant, not decorator's caulk.

2. Wrong insulation: Use 60 kg/m³ acoustic mineral wool, not loft insulation.

3. Ignoring flanking: Seal perimeters and treat doors.

4. Unrealistic expectations: +17 dB is dramatic but not 100% silence.

Real-World Performance

Before: 35 dB (conversation clearly audible)

After: 52 dB with SilentBoard ProMax™ 30mm both sides (+17 dB improvement)

Normal conversation becomes inaudible. TV at normal volume barely noticeable. Music significantly muffled.

FAQ

Can I soundproof one side only? Yes, provides +10-12 dB. For Part E compliance, install both sides.

How long does it take? DIY: 1-2 days. Professional: 1 day.

Does it work for bass? SilentBoard ProMax™ 30mm includes high-mass barriers for low-frequency performance. Testing shows +15 dB (DnT,w + Ctr).

Can I DIY? 80% of customers install successfully. Panels are heavy (41kg) so you need a helper.

Conclusion

The proven formula:

1. Add mass: SilentBoard ProMax™ 30mm (28.5 kg/m²)
2. Fill cavity: High-density mineral wool
3. Seal everything: Professional sealant
4. Address flanking paths

Results: +17 dB improvement, Part E compliance, dramatic noise reduction.

Explore our stud wall soundproofing solutions or contact our technical team for advice.