SM20 Rubber Wall Panels
£22.95
This product is specifically designed to reduce airborne noise through party walls, whilst being easy to install, even for basic DIYers.
Almost identical to M20, although we think a smoother consistency product, this recycled rubber wall panel is designed to upgrade the sound insulation properties of party walls in the home and all types of domestic properties. It is extremely effective when applied to single skin brick walls, stud walls, or even breezeblock party walls (although care should be taken for the possibility of flanking transmission)
Product Application
The SM20 Panel is simply glued with our high performance SM20 adhesive. Where the rubber needs cutting or shaping this can be done with a sharp knife or stanley blade.
It is essential that there are no holes in the existing wall. The most common source of noise leakage is where the flooring and ceiling joists are fixed. The wall should be as airtight as is physically possible.
The plasterboards are then bonded to the SM20 panels using the spray adhesive provided. It is important to leave a small gap at the perimeter which should be filled with acoustic mastic.
The insulation is high effective where space is at a premium. Where the system as shown in the diagram above is employed the performance of the single skin brick wall is in excess of 48db Dnt, W +CTr which exceeds Part E party wall sound proofing requirement.
See the SM20 being installed:
Quick Installation Notes
As with any soundproofing installation you should make sure that that the surface to be soundproofed is in good order. With SM20 panels it is important to make sure that the wall is smooth and free from any wall furniture. You will be sticking a flat surface to another flat surface.
Also make sure to fill any gaps and cracks. Obvious holes can be treated with sand cement mortar and small cracks filled with acoustic mastic. If you are able check the joists wall junction and fill any obvious hole with acoustic sealant.
As mentioned the wall to be treated needs to be smooth and free of loose wall paper or flaking paint. You should think about using a PVA solution to bond the wall if it looks in poor condition.
Please see our in depth installation instructions for more information.
Other Areas to Consider when Soundproofing a Wall
If you are soundproofing a party wall be aware of the possibility of sound passing through wall below the level of the floor boards. To combat this you should consider using 100mm AMW60 filling the void under the floor immediately adjacent to the wall.
Another area where sound might be penetrating is through the party wall above the ceiling. If the ceiling is single skin plasterboard you can try and augment this by adding a further layer of 19mm plank and even think about using the noise blocker quilt in between the ceiling and that 19mm plank. While flanking transmission is an issue do not become too overly concerned with it if it puts you off doing the job in the first place. Ceiling improvement can be done post wall work if it proves to be a weak link.
If the party wall contains a fireplace that is not used then the ideal solution would be to brick up the opening and then treat the whole party wall with SM20 panels. Whilst this is ideal it is not often possible. From our experience we tend to find that it is the alcoves that are performing much worse than the chimney itself. This is due to the quality of original craftsmanship and the thickness of bricks used in the party wall originally.