Drywall in and of itself can deaden sounds, however, when installed with little or no insulation or sound-deadening features inside the walls themselves, it can actually have the opposite effect. When sound waves carry through drywall into the wall and reflect off the surface of the opposing sheet, standing waves occur in the sound travel. Standing waves greatly contribute to the overall audible level of sound.
Stop the Wave
The easiest way to stop sound waves from becoming standing waves inside a wall is to place sound-deadening insulation between the drywall sheets. While most pink insulation can be used, its sound-deadening properties aren't nearly enough to do an adequate job. In order to truly squash the sound, acoustic insulation should be employed.
Another tactic for stopping sound waves is sand. Pouring two to three inches worth of sand into a wall will effectively stop sound wave travel dead in its tracks. As the sound wave hits the sand, the wave is broken up by the grains of sand, before being completely dissipated.
Sheet vs. Spray
There are several kinds of acoustic insulation, including, but not limited to, sheet foam and spray foam. Sheet foam must be installed before hanging the drywall, as it would be impossible to place it in the walls with the drywall already hung.
Spray foam can be injected into the walls from the attic, or through small holes in the drywall that can be easily patched after the application, in the event attic access isn't an option.
Both kinds of acoustic foam are specifically engineered to halt sound waves and prevent their reflection, thus stopping potential standing waves.
Covering the Drywall
If access to the interior of the wall is impossible, covering the exterior of the wall may be your only choice. Various products are on the market for application to the wall's exterior. For those worried about the appearance, inspect the inside of a movie theater to see how exterior coverings can be made visually appealing.
The easiest and least expensive method is carpeting. Industrial pile rug absorbs sound and minimizes reflection as well as the pass through of the sound waves.
If carpet isn't to your liking, acoustic tile, normally used for drop ceilings, is easily obtained at most hardware and home improvement stores. These tiles can be painted to match your d cor, just like drywall, and attach with drywall screws. The heads of the screws can be easily hidden with drywall spackle. Be aware that acoustic tiles are not very durable and can be easily damaged.
Higher cost professional-grade sound-deadening foams and complex sheet systems, made up of layers of different materials, also can be obtained from vendors that are easily tracked down on the Internet.
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