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"Stick-on" wall soundproofing with SM20 panels

Soundproofing a wall with SM20 panel

SM20 Soundproofing - How it works
The SM20 panel system is a high performance wall soundproofing solution aimed at those who want good acoustic performance. Unlike other solutions this dense recycled rubber is easy to fit and will provide a reliable soundproofing barrier.

The system is straightforward to fit. The high density recycled acoustic rubber panels are simply cut to size and stuck to the party wall covering the whole offending surface. We provide the necessary proprietary adhesive .The wall is finished off by adding two layers of acoustic plasterboard.

If you wish to calculate or buy the materials just use the  blue calculators.  Our delivered solutions come with all the necessary parts to complete a DIY soundproofing job. For more detailed instruction simply click on the fitting instruction link.

The SM20 insulation is highly effective solution.  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. This can be improved upon using the alternative upgrades we offer.


Can I upgrade this system further?
As with many solutions there is a possibility of an upgrade to this system for those who wish an even higher levels of soundproofing. By adding SBX boards to this system you will further improve the performance particularly from a bass sound perspective. The SBX board brings an almost unique property in an acoustic board in that it has virtually no resonant properties. Read more -Why the SBX upgrade?

Where space is at an absolute  premium,   a single layer of plasterboard can be applied, ideally upgrade to 15mm if using one layer. This will result in a small loss in overall performance over the basic system, but still a significant improvement over the original wall.


More Information. Chimneys and flanking sound
A note on fireplaces: 
We are frequently asked whether it is necessary to run wall soundproofing around the chimney breast on a party wall? While there is no definitive answer on this  acoustic question, we are of the opinion that sound proofing the alcoves either side is usually sufficient. This is because chimneys are typically constructed to be fire and smoke proof and are at least of double brick construction, whereas the walls either side, the alcoves, maybe poorly constructed and of single brick. Of course there are exceptions, but in the majority of cases you can reduce your labour and time considerably by just sticking the acoustic panels in the  alcoves. Due to the acoustic nature of stud walls and timber framed walls we would recommend a different set of treatments when upgrading these walls as described in solution 5 stud wall soundproofing. Example results based on typical party wall construction of 100mm brick wall (38-43dB)

Flanking Transmission
The best results for the SM20 system is achieved with solid brick party walls. Breeze block walls may suffer from flanking transmission problems so any soundproofing treatments require an assessment of this possible difficulty of flanking transmission .




Understanding Soundproofing Performance

Successful soundproofing of a wall involves improving three key elements. 

  1. The weight of the wall- This is normally achieved by adding heavy things like acoustic plasterboard. High density products are important too such as the SM20 acoustic panel.
  2. The springiness or "resilience" of the wall-. Without this, the addition of the mass will have very little impact. The Sm20 acts as resilience and mass. A common mistake is to just add acoustic plasterboard direct to a party wall. This will have virtually no effect 
  3. The sound absorption of the wall. Most walls have little in the way of absorbancy. The heavy rubber layer of the SM20 solution acts to "trap" sound in the wall.

SM20 noise insulation panels take advantage of advances in acoustic control technology to strike a highly effective balance between increasing the mass of the transmission wall via the heavy rubber and heavy plasterboards and introducing a dampening spring element of the rubber mats.

Understanding Performance

A great deal of confusion is created on many sites when referencing to performance. The total performance which is normally quoted on the majority of sites refers to the performance of an average wall with soundproofing materials added. The draw back of this is that you don't really know the impact of the soundproofing you are adding.

For this reason we also give an indication of acoustic performance uplift. For every 10dB of performance uplift there is a correspondent improvement of about 50% in the performance of the wall.  A 20dB should provide a 75% improvement over and above the original wall.




Sound Proof an Electrical Socket
Acoustic Putty
If you are thinking of refitting electrical sockets back into the wall. you might be advised to line your electrical boxes with our acoustic putty. Remember a 1% hole in your soundproofing surface can reduce performance of your soundproofing by up to 10%. Lining your plug sockets will go some way to reducing this leakage.
   
Dry lining SM20 Wall to a smooth decorate-able finish
We are often asked what is the final finish and do I need a plasterer? We provide all the materials necessary to achieve a smooth decorate-able finish. Please see video below on dry-lining. The wall you end with will be similar in appearance to the video. We supply the finishing compound that allows you to achieve a smooth wall without plastering. All items are automatically added when you press the blue calculator.


 

Key Points:

  1. A slim fitting wall soundproofing solution
  2. Fast clean sound proofing
  3. A very DIY-able stick on Solution
  4. Rubber panels and plasterboard finish just 45mm thick
  5. Materials delivered to your door in as little as 24 hours
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We offer three solutions.

1) The standard solution which is our most popular. This includes all the materials you need to soundproof a wall.
2) Some customers prefer to source their own plasterboards so we just offer the SM20 , Staput adhesive and acoustic mastic.
3)The third solution offers the maximum upgrade that incorporates the SBX board. This extra will offer around 5dB of extra acoustic protection.
Download Fitting Instructions Fitting Instructions

SM20 Sound Insulation performance table

Wall Depth Gain Total system Performance airborne Typical Airborne Improvement
Rubber Panels full solution with acoustic plasterboards 45mm 56 dB 16 dB
Rubber Panels full solution incorporating SBx Upgrade 43mm 61 dB 20 dB
Rubber Panels for those wanting only to order SM20 and Glue from us.
Total system performance is an attempt to give the performance of a basic single skin plastered brick wall with SM20 added to it.  The improvement figure that is quoted are an idea of what can be expected over a basic starting point of a single skin


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Solution Reviews

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A Simple system

I ordered these products to resolve a problem I was having with a noisy neighbour. We could hear them talking next door expecially the father. We ordered the materials on a Monday and received them on Wednesday and we had installed the system on Thursday. Soundstop assured us it was easy to do DIY. It was! The panles we cut with a stanley knife and spray tacked them to the call. I cut the plasterbaords by hand saw. We are really pleased with the result and have regained our privacy. Thanks
Reviewed by:
IDE35509547857 		Rating:
 Date:
6th Aug 2018


Quick Sounproof

We was vary happy with SM20 panel. Weekend befor new year was installed with a frend. Has make big difference to noise next door . Cannot here tv or talking no more. Thanks you to soundstop
Reviewed by:
Raf89677584 		Rating:
 Date:
23rd Jan 2018


Privacy restored

Thanks to you soundstop. We spent a long time researching different products on the internet. Our problem was noisy dogs next door who whined and barked all day. We fited the Sm20 panelos in just one day and are really pleased with the results. Mark was very helpful with our problem.
Reviewed by:
ING55433454 		Rating:
 Date:
5th Sep 2017


Easier to fit than I thought

Goods arrived on time. Fitting was actually easier than I thought it was going to be. Although there was a fair bit of hassle getting the old skirting board off. We got the SM20 panels up on the first day ( two alcoves). And then did the plasterboards a couple of days later. We are really pleased with the result and acheived what we wanted.
Reviewed by:
hos34424554323 		Rating:
 Date:
5th Jun 2017


1970\\'s Semi Detached

1) Outline the problem? "Our problem is a very deaf neighbour, resulting in us suffering, over a long period of time, from having to listen to the sound of high volume TV programmes, loud voices and banging of internal doors etc through the brick party walls of the adjoining property. We used to have to watch the same TV programme as our neighbour as we could view our mute set and listen easily to the sound from next door !!." 2) Ease of fitting "My husband and his brother (both approaching their 70s in age) fitted the recesses of the adjoining wall with resilient bars, acoustic wool and acoustic plasterboard, and the chimney wall with 52mm SM20 Panels. The whole job took two days and both men found the materials easy to work with and the instructions easy to follow." 3) The end result, did it cope with the problem what can you hear now? "What an amazing difference this has made!! I can now sit in my own lounge and read a newspaper or watch TV in peace, something I haven't been able to do for over 8 years. We no longer know which programme our neighbours are watching or if they have friends or relatives visiting and we feel so relieved to have our lives back again. Now and again there is a slightly muffled TV sound penetrating through to our side of the wall but this is completely bearable and nothing at all like the mental torture we have suffered previously."
Reviewed by:
Shirley and Robert 		Rating:
 Date:
5th Mar 2016


Easy to fit and worked

1) Outline the problem? "My party wall had just as well not been there. I could hear my neighbours and their children whenever they raised their voice. They didn’t need to shout to be heard. The only problem with their television was we couldn't see the picture otherwise I could have sold my TV .It was becoming really annoying especially at weekends. We could hear almost everything & I mean everything especially at night !! 2) Ease of fitting? "I fitted the soundproofing , and it really is easy .I even did it on my own without help. I just followed the simple instructions supplied and it really was simple. Even cutting the boards was easy as pie. You would not know it was there. That can’t be bad especially as I have only ever attempted simple D.I.Y tasks before." 3) The end result, did it cope with the problem what can you hear now? "The results are outstanding. There is no way I'm letting my neighbour know Ive put it up because they will probably be even noisier than before. I can only hear their television when they blast it, plus you can hear it louder from outside the house now! Their everyday noise is virtually none existent unless you turn off the TV and put your ear to the wall, even then it’s a quiet mumble. Even at night the noise is really, really difficult to hear, you have to try and hear them now!! A brilliant product with brilliant results and easy to fit .Believe me it works!!!"
Reviewed by:
Walker 		Rating:
 Date:
23rd Oct 2015


Did the job

1) Outline the problem " We could hear the people next door talking loudly and shouting at each other, it was loud enough to hear above the sound of our TV with the volume turned up" 2) Ease of fitting? "I found it very easy to fit the boards,and could not think of to make it easier."3) The end result, did it cope with the problem what can you hear now? "Now after fitting the boards it has made a dramatic difference it is much better, we can sometimes hear something but it is mainly a distant muffled sound, I would say an 90% improvement and would use the same method again."
Reviewed by:
Gary Albian 		Rating:
 Date:
11th Sep 2014


Pleased

1) Outline the problem? "Very noisy neighbours - loud music late at night that affect our sleep." 2) Ease of fitting? "Very easy to cut, handle and fit. All materials were of good quality" 3) The end result, did it cope with the problem/ what can you hear now? "Yes it did. Made an enormous difference and glad we went for the thicker panels. Will certainly be in touch again if I decide to soundproof other areas of our party wall in our lounge and dining room."
Reviewed by:
Heather 		Rating:
 Date:
29th Apr 2014


SM20 Panels worked a treat

I felt the SM20 Panels were nice and easy to fit onto my party wall. Was little tricky cutting around for my plug socket, but all worked well. Also great just to have the finished plasterboards ready to paint and not having to pay for a plasterer. The sound reduction is amazing and will now use on my upstairs bedroom.
Reviewed by:
Marky 		Rating:
 Date:
5th Feb 2014


Privacy at last

1) Outline the problem? Noisy neighbours - noise varied from full on parties to general noise, tv, coughing, talking etc... 2) Ease of fitting? Very straightforward as it is essentially just gluing boards to the wall. 3) The end result, did it cope with the problem/ what can you hear now? Background noise really reduced - you have to press your ear against the wall to hear anything! It iss great to have some privacy!
Reviewed by:
Emma 		Rating:
 Date:
8th May 2013