Blog / How to Soundproof a Room with sound abatement solutions

December 14, 2022

What is Sound abatement?

Sound abatement is soundproofing materials that absorbs vibrations and reduce noise problems to create a quiet and peaceful space. Various material types and installation techniques can be used to achieve sound abatement. Typically, we see absorbent sound insulation materials installed under floors, behind walls, or on top of ceiling tiles.

Whether you’re soundproofing a room to keep noise out or in, Trimaco and United Plastics have teamed up to provide a full line of sound abatement solutions. Our line of sound barriers can be used as an underlayment, behind finished walls and placed above ceiling tiles in commercial spaces to create quiet, calming, and comfortable spaces.

How to soundproof a room

When soundproofing a room, it’s best to plan prior to construction and to include it in your specs. Our sound barrier noise control products are installed behind and under permanent materials, such as wall panels, acoustical enclosures, and more. Therefore should be integrated early on.

We’ve broken out each area of a room that can utilize absorptive noise barriers and will walk you through how to install each option.

1. Install Sound Control Underlayments

Trimaco and United Plastics offer two types of sound-absorbing underlayments. dB4 lite is designed with resilient polyester fibers, and a leak-resistant polyethylene film and is ideal for both residential and commercial uses. dB4 Max is a heavier option, and is designed with a mass-loaded material attached to a polyester fiber layer- making this the obvious choice for commercial use.

1. Installation should happen after all windows, doors, and drywall have been installed, moisture testing complete, surface clean and completely dry.
2. Starting in one corner of the room, unroll your underlayment so that it is flush with the existing wall. Cut with a utility knife to the desired length.
3. Roll out additional material, and tightly butt the side’s edges to one another. We recommend not overlapping edges.
4. dB4 underlayments can be used as a free-floating subfloor. However, we’ve listed the approved adhesives here.
5. Once the Underlayment is in place, finished floors should be installed within 2 weeks.

For more specifics on unique installation scenarios, check out our installation guide here.

2. Hang behind drywall sound solutions

Sound barrier walls are acoustic products designed to absorb and block high noise levels from indoor or outdoor machinery and equipment. Similar to dB4, United plastic offers a line of dB3 options for walls. dB3, dB3 Lite, and dB3 Max are all designed with mass-loaded POE, are flexible, and are environmentally friendly. dB3, and dB3 Lite are great for residential and some commercial applications, while dB3 max is great for both commercial and industrial uses.

1. Installation typically happens after framing, insulation, and electrical is complete, but prior to the installation of doors, windows, and drywall.
2. When installing wood studs, attach db3 directly to the top of the wood plate using wide crown staples or pan head screws. If your space has metal studs, attached them directly with pan head screws.
3. Screws or fasteners should be placed every 6-12” horizontally along the top.
4. Straighten your material so the dB3 is flush against the studs.
5. Using pan head screws, staples or drywall screws attach the material in the middle of the stud.
6. Repeat and install dB3 on all required walls (we recommend not overlapping seams, simply tape seams together with a seam seal)
7. Install drywall per normal technique.

For more specifics on unique installation scenarios, check out our installation guide here.

3. Slide under high-performance ceiling tiles

For a completely soundproofed space, the last sound abatement material needed is the dB Top Stop for ceilings. Similar to dB3 and dB4, Top Stop is designed with a multiple-layer POE acoustical ceiling material. The sound-absorbing tiles are pre-cut into 2-foot x 2-foot tiles for easy installation.

1. Top Stop tiles should be installed when lay-in ceiling tiles are also being put into place.
2. First, determine the installed track load rating; in some cases, additional support wires may be needed.
3. Next, lift the ceiling tile and Install dB Top Stop panels directly on top of the acoustic ceiling tiles (foil facing up.)
4. Repeat until all ceiling tiles are accompanied with a dB Top Stop panel.

For more specifics on installation, check out our installation guide here.

Complete soundproof protection

Getting rid of unwanted noise doesn’t have to be difficult. With the help of United Plastics dB3, dB4, and Top Stop materials, it’s quick and easy to create a calm, quiet environment. For more information on soundproofing products, check out Trimaco’s full line.