Soundproofing your home or workspace can seem like a challenge, but plaster soundproofing is one of the easiest and most effective solutions.
Plastering isn’t just for smooth wall finishes and decoration. Skilled plastering also improves both sound insulation and thermal performance. At Corinium Plastering we install plastering solutions that help our clients across Cirencester and the Cotswolds reduce noise in their properties.
Here’s what you need to know about plaster soundproofing:
What Is Plaster Soundproofing?
Plaster soundproofing is any method using plaster or plastering systems to prevent sound from passing through walls and ceilings.
Sound travels in vibrations. Dense and heavy surfaces are more effective at stopping sound vibrations from passing through them. When you plaster a surface, you’re adding mass and solidity to prevent sound from passing through.
How Well Does Plaster Soundproof?
On its own plaster can help to soundproof a room, but it’s often used in conjunction with other materials to get the best results. Plaster can:
- Reduce sounds such as voices and TV from travelling through walls and ceilings
- Help limit how much noise travels between rooms
- Increase privacy
- Make spaces more comfortable to live and work in
Plaster soundproofing is ideal for any property suffering from intrusive noise, whether it’s from neighbouring homes, flats or busy streets.
Where You Can Use Plaster Soundproofing:
Internal Walls:
Internal walls can allow a lot of noise to pass through between rooms. Using plaster soundproofing can reduce noise levels in bedrooms, living rooms and home offices. You can apply plaster straight onto walls, but for better soundproofing add plaster over plasterboard or acoustic board to create a thicker, more soundproof surface.
Party Walls:
Shared walls with neighbouring properties can really suffer from noise. Help reduce noise coming from next door by strengthening the party wall with additional layers and a quality plaster finish.
Ceilings:
Just as noise can leak into your room from walls, ceilings can also be a source of unwanted noise from rooms above. Reduce sound from upstairs by plastering over acoustic plasterboard.
Maximise Your Soundproofing
Plaster is often used on its own or paired with other products to reduce noise. Common plaster soundproofing options include:
- Acoustic plasterboard.
- Double layered plasterboarding.
- Additional insulation material on the reverse of the board.
- Sealing any gaps or joints between boarding.
All of these methods can be used in conjunction with plaster to help absorb and block sound more effectively.
Soundproofing With Plaster Also Helps With Insulation
Soundproofing your home using plaster can also benefit your insulation too. Not only will it prevent noise from penetrating your walls and ceiling, but plastering also:
- Helps keep heat in your home.
- Reduces cold spots and drafts.
- Improves energy efficiency.
Using plasterboard (specifically insulated plasterboard) or an external insulation system with your plastering can help you keep your property nice and warm. Speak to our team about more ways you can use plastering to improve both the energy efficiency and comfort of your property.
How Do I Choose The Right Plaster Soundproofing Method?
There are a number of different ways that you can use plaster to reduce noise in your property. The best solution for your home will depend on a number of different factors.
Different plaster soundproofing methods include:
- Standard plastering – adding plaster to walls will increase the density and mass of a surface, making it harder for sound to get through.
- Plasterboard and skim – one of the most common ways to reduce noise in walls and ceilings. Using plasterboard (and specifically acoustic plasterboard) adds extra insulation. Adding a skim on top of the plasterboard can further improve the soundproofing qualities.
- Specialist acoustic materials – there are a range of specialist acoustic materials on the market. These can improve the acoustic performance of your walls and ceilings.
- Breathable plaster – an option for soundproofing older properties that lets walls breathe.
Our team at Corinium Plastering can advise you on the best plastering methods for your home.
The Importance of Professional Plastering:
If a wall or ceiling hasn’t been plastered properly, it can have holes and gaps that reduce its soundproofing ability. Professional plasterers make sure that every surface has been smoothed over and there are no gaps for the sound to travel through.
Plaster soundproofing is a great way to keep noise out and improve the comfort of your property. Whether you’re struggling with noisy neighbours, want to create a home office or just wanting to make your home more enjoyable – don’t forget about plaster!
Contact Corinium Plastering today to find out how you can use plastering to soundproof and insulate your property.