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Waking up in the middle of the night to footsteps upstairs, the sound of the neighbor's TV piercing through the walls, and the constant roar of traffic outside the window... noise pollution has become an invisible health hazard in modern urban life. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment's "China Noise Pollution Prevention and Control Report" shows that in 2023, the total number of noise complaints nationwide reached 5.706 million, of which social noise accounted for 68.4%, ranking first among all types of noise complaints. Faced with noise pollution, many people first think of "thickening the walls," but can this method really solve the problem completely? How should noise control be systematically promoted? This article, combining the latest national standards, engineering cases, and material technologies, breaks down scientific noise reduction solutions for you.
I. Can simply thickening the walls effectively block noise? The data tells you the truth.
Simply thickening the walls has limited effect . According to the "Code for Sound Insulation Design of Civil Buildings," a 240mm thick solid brick wall provides approximately 45dB of airborne sound insulation, which can block everyday conversations (60dB), but has little effect on low-frequency noise (such as elevator operation and car engine noise). Even after Hangzhou's new residential regulations increased the thickness of partition walls from 200mm to 240mm, the sound insulation effect only improved by 2dB, solving only 50% of the internal sound insulation problem.
The key lies in "structural design," not "single thickness ." International acoustics forum measurements show that a 400mm thick brick wall (700kg/m²) has a sound insulation of 46dB, while a composite structure of a 100mm brick wall + 160mm rock wool filling + double-layer gypsum board can achieve a sound insulation of 57dB, far exceeding an 800mm thick pure brick wall (51dB). This is because the "mass-spring-mass" composite structure can block sound wave transmission through air layers and sound-absorbing materials, avoiding the "sound bridge effect" (vibration transmitted through a rigid structure).
II. Three Principles of Noise Control: Comprehensive Prevention from Source to Receiver
Noise transmission follows a three-stage process: "sound source - transmission path - receiver," requiring targeted breakthroughs in its control.
(a) Noise source control: reducing noise generation at the source
Industrial and commercial scenarios : In Chaoyang District, Beijing, the combination of "soundproof enclosure + silencer" was adopted for the ventilation equipment of commercial buildings. By sharing the costs between the government and enterprises (49%:51%), the cumulative noise was reduced from exceeding the standard to meeting the standard, and the number of residents' complaints decreased by 90%.
(II) Optimization of transmission pathways: sound insulation upgrade of building components
1. Walls: Composite structures are more effective than simply thickening the walls.
• Economical solution : Light steel keel + 50mm rock wool (density 48kg/m³) + double layer 12mm gypsum board, with sound insulation up to 45dB (meeting the basic requirement of GB 55038-2025 for partition walls ≥50dB).
• Professional-grade solution : Vibration-damping keel + 3mm sound insulation felt + 80kg/m³ rock wool + double-layer gypsum board. Laboratory tests show that the sound insulation reaches 58dB, which can block KTV-level noise (65dB).
2. Floor slab: Floating construction technology solves the impact noise problem.
The impact sound pressure level of a traditional floor slab (100mm thick) is about 75dB (the sound of footsteps from upstairs can be clearly heard), while the impact sound pressure level can be reduced to below 65dB by using a floating floor system (elastic cushion layer + concrete layer).
3. Doors and Windows: Professional soundproof doors and windows to combat high and low frequency noise.
Sanyuan Environmental Ventilation and Soundproof Window
• Windows : Professional ventilation and soundproof windows that simultaneously meet the requirements of "ventilation + sound insulation + smog removal", making them especially suitable for street-facing residences.
• Door : Soundproof door + magnetic sealing strip, magnetic sealing improves airtightness.
(iii) Recipient protection: a combination of temporary and long-term measures
• Short-term protection : Wear noise-canceling earplugs (NRR value above 25dB) and install soundproof curtains.
• Long-term renovation : Soft padding on bedroom walls, installation of a flexible suspended ceiling (light steel keel + shock absorber + sound insulation cotton), and installation of professional soundproof windows and doors to completely block low- and mid-frequency noise.
III. 2025 New National Standard: Sound Insulation Performance Becomes a Key Indicator for a "Good House"
The "Residential Building Construction Standard" (GB 55038-2025), implemented in May 2025, imposes mandatory requirements on sound insulation.
• Separation wall : Airborne sound insulation ≥50dB (11% improvement over the old standard);
• Floor slab : Impact sound pressure level ≤65dB (children running and jumping below will not have a noticeable impact).
• Exterior windows : Street-facing windows have a sound insulation level of ≥35dB (reducing traffic noise to library level).
Conclusion: Say goodbye to "noise hell" starting with scientific design.
Noise control is not a matter of "applying a band-aid," but a systemic project. Simply thickening the walls is like "scratching an itch through a boot"-only by combining sound source control (frequency converters, vibration reduction design), transmission blocking (composite walls, soundproof doors and windows), and reception protection (soundproofing renovations, noise reduction products) can a truly "quiet space" be created. With the implementation of new national standards and advancements in materials technology, "quietness" is transforming from a luxury into a basic right to housing-will sound insulation be a top priority for your next home?