A guide to soundproofing renovations in old communities-returning tranquility to life, starting with upgrading the quality of "sound" life

With the acceleration of urbanization, older communities have become a major source of complaints due to poor building sound insulation and complex environmental noise. In response to the national "14th Five-Year Plan" Urban Renewal Action Plan and the "Noise Pollution Prevention and Control Law," Sichuan Sanyuan Environment has launched a systematic guide for soundproofing older communities. From diagnosis and planning to implementation, this one-stop guide addresses noise concerns, helping communities achieve a "quiet rebirth."

1. Analysis of Noise Pain Points in Old Communities

1. External noise intrusion
2. Traffic noise: Street-facing buildings are disturbed by traffic and horn noise (60-80 decibels);
3. Commercial noise: Medium and high frequency noises from restaurants in basement shops, square dancing, etc. have strong penetrating power.
4. Internal noise conduction
5. Poor floor sound insulation: footsteps and furniture dragging noises cause neighborhood conflicts;
6. Pipe vibration: Low-frequency noise from sewer pipes and elevator shafts affects sleep.
7. Conflict between ventilation and sound insulation
8. Opening windows for ventilation introduces noise, while closing windows makes the room stuffy and the air polluted.

2. Four-step scientific transformation plan

Step 1: Accurate noise diagnosis

• Free acoustic environment testing: A professional team will conduct on-site measurements, draw community noise maps, and identify major noise sources (traffic, equipment, and daily life noise) and frequency band characteristics;
• Resident survey: Collect information on high-frequency complaint periods and noise-sensitive areas (such as elderly rooms and children's rooms) through questionnaires.

Step 2: Customize noise reduction solutions based on different scenarios

Noise type

Renovation focus

Recommended measures

Street traffic noise

Blocking mid- and low-frequency sound waves

Install ventilation soundproof windows (noise reduction 35-40 decibels) + community perimeter sound barriers

Square dance/shop noise

Absorb reflected sound and reduce reverberation

Installation of sound-absorbing panels and green belt buffers (broad-leaved trees and shrubs) on the building facades

Floor banging sound

Cut off the structure-borne sound path

Laying sound insulation mat (weighted impact sound pressure level ≤ 65dB) + ceiling vibration reduction layer

Pipeline vibration noise

Suppress low-frequency resonance

Wrap pipe damping sound insulation felt + replace silent sewer pipe

Step 3: Policy subsidy application guidance

• Government subsidies: Many places have incorporated sound insulation renovation into the livelihood projects of old residential areas, with subsidies of up to 50% (such as Beijing and Chengdu);
• Application support: Assist communities in organizing materials, connecting with housing and construction and environmental protection departments, and quickly completing the approval process;
• Low-cost pilot: prioritize renovation of buildings with concentrated complaints, and use the results to motivate full employee participation.

Step 4: Lightweight construction and long-term maintenance

• Quick installation: Modular soundproof windows and prefabricated soundproof panels are used, and single-family renovation takes ≤3 hours, avoiding long-term disturbance to residents.
• Concealed works: Pipeline sound insulation wrapping, ceiling construction, etc. only take 1-2 days, and residents do not need to relocate;
• Warranty service: Provide 5-year sound insulation performance guarantee, regular return inspections, and free replacement of aging sealing strips.

III. Transformation Case Study: From a "Noise-Stricken Area" to a "Quiet Model"

Case: Renovation of a 1990s street-side community in Chengdu

• Pain points: Traffic noise is 68 decibels day and night, and vibration from range hoods in shops on the ground floor disturbs residents;
• plan:
• Street-facing residents: ventilation soundproof windows (noise reduction of 38 decibels) + external ecological sound insulation barriers (noise reduction of 10 decibels);
• Commercial buildings: fume duct damping wrapping + facade sound absorption board;
• Public areas: Add green belts and replace the plastic floor of the fitness plaza (to reduce the reflection of footsteps).
• Results:
• Indoor noise level is ≤40 decibels, and there is no pressure to open windows for ventilation at night;
• The number of complaints to 12345 decreased by 95%, and housing prices in the community increased by 15%.

4. Tips for Residents to Self-Renovate

1. Emergency Noise Cancellation:
2. Stick sealing strips on window gaps (reduces noise by 3-5 decibels);
3. Hang heavy curtains and lay carpets (to absorb mid- and high-frequency sounds).
4. Low-cost upgrade:
5. Plant a green wall on the balcony (recommended: ivy, monstera);
6. The pipes are wrapped with high-density sound insulation cotton (cost is about 20 yuan/meter).