Soundproofing techniques for existing residential buildings

Solid Core vs. Hollow Core Doors

Hollow core doors, like the ones used typically for interior doors, are made from a hollow hexagonal core and covered with a decorative wood surface. Solid core doors, made of solid wood or composite material, are better at reducing the sound transmitted through doorways. Doors leading to outside spaces or to an unheated garage should have a solid core. While exterior doors are typically solid, the replacement of older models will improve both soundproofing and energy efficiency. As such, the cost of that work could be eligible for a federal and/or provincial subsidy.

Benefit: Low/medium cost—medium effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: Yes

Where to buy: Hardware store

Solid vs. hollow core doors

Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is an effective technique for sealing door and window frames to prevent drafts. Air is one of the main contributors to sound transmission in a house. Weatherstripping creates a seal around doors and windows, minimizing air transmission, which also contributes to reducing the transmission of noise and heat loss through a doorway.

Benefit: Low cost—medium effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: Yes

Where to buy: Hardware store

Door Sweepers

Door sweepers are efficient to cover up the remaining gaps that can’t be filled by weatherstripping. They hang on the bottom of the doors to sweep along the floor and block the gap under the door once it closes.

Benefit: Low cost—low effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: Partially (if the post-work energy evaluation reveals improved efficiency)

Where to buy: Hardware store

Double Pane Windows

The choice of window construction offers the opportunity to significantly reduce sound transmissibility from outside noise. The vacuum or noble gas filled (argon) space between double pane windows acts as a break causing most of the sound waves to diffuse and disperse within the window and not enter the building. Double pane windows offer the best soundproofing to cost ratio over single pane and triple pane windows. Triple pane windows offer slightly better soundproofing but the significantly higher cost doesn’t match the increase in soundproofing. Double pane windows are therefore the best option in terms of cost and soundproofing.

Benefit: High cost — high effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: Yes

Where to buy: Canadian window manufacturers, contractor

For more information: Canadian Manufacturers of EnergyStar certified windows, Fenplast (window supplier in Montréal), Portes et fenêtres Verdun (window supplier in Montréal)

Single pane vs. double pane
Soundproof Inserts

If double pane windows are too expensive or if you’re looking to optimize your existing double-paned system, soundproof window inserts are a very good alternative to new windows. The cost and installation needs are greatly reduced and much less disruptive than installing new windows. The inserts are made to measure to conform to the existing window and seamlessly intergrate into the frame. These inserts are magnetically sealed to the window frame adding an extra separation between panes, further improving the soundproofing properties of the entire window.

Benefit: Medium cost — high effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: No

Where to buy: Montreal - MAG MTL , nationally - Magnetite windows

For more information: www.magmtl.com, www.magnetitecanada.com

indow insert + single pane, indow insert + double pane. Source: indowwindows.com 

Soundproof Curtains

An option for reducing sound transmission through windows. These thick curtains, usually made with multiple layers of dense fabrics, are an inexpensive means to limit noise levels through windows. The thick dense layers of material act as the final sound barrier to lower the amount of road noise entering buildings through windows.

Benefit: Low cost — low effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: No

Where to buy: Amazon - link no.1, link no. 2

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Insulation

Adding or replacing insulation in walls and attics can help muffle outside noise that may be slipping through small gaps and openings in the walls and roof. Rockwool Safe’n’Sound® has excellent acoustical dampening properties and provides an easy friction fit into walls, ceiling, and floor applications. It is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and contributes to a healthier indoor environment.

Benefit: Medium cos t— high effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: Partially (depending on program)

Where to buy: Hardware store

FURNITURE PLACEMENT

Positioning furniture along exterior walls can limit noise entering the liveable space. Soft and dense material acts as a good sound absorber and will disrupt sound in its path so that it won’t reverberate around a room with solid walls. Placing fully stacked bookcases on exterior walls can also help disrupt sound from infiltrating a room because books are excellent at absorbing sound given their layering and density.

Benefit: No cost — low effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: No

Where to buy: N/A

White noise sources offer a means to mask undesirable noise. Exterior options include water fountains. Interior options are small white noise machines. These white noise measures provide the greatest benefit when combined with the other methods discussed in this guide.

Benefit: Low cost — low effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: No

Where to buy: Amazon, electronics store

The most effective solutions can be achieved when wall components are replaced, to allow the implementation of the best soundproofing practices. When walls are dismantled exposing the studs, everything including the insulation can be replaced with soundproof certified products such as Rockwool Safe’n’Sound® insulation (see Fig. A). Mass loaded vinyl (MLV) can also be installed in the wall along with the insulation as an added layer of soundproofing. Details for MLV are provided in the next section. Another solution entails the installation of long pieces of metal called resilience channels (see Fig. B) on top of the wall. These resilience channels are installed to decouple the wall from the studs so that sound vibrations are dissipated and can’t be transmitted through the wall. Drywall, typically of type X for soundproofing, is then screwed into the resilience channels covering the entire area of the wall. All the edges are sealed shut with acoustic caulk. Lastly, additional layers of drywall can be installed to further impede sound transmission. Details on the drywall installation techniques are provided in the next section.

Benefit: High cost — high effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: No

Where to buy: Hardware store, contractor

Fig. AFig. B

A much easier and less destructive way to help minimize transmissible noise.

Adding Drywall

Sheets of drywall can be affixed to the existing wall facing. This method involves removing the base and crown mouldings from the wall before adding the new layers of drywall. The new sheet of drywall is coated in an adhesive compound (“Green Glue”) over its entire surface. The coated drywall is then fastened into the existing wall with screws. The new sheet is tightened until there is a gap of 0.5 mm between the existing and newly installed drywall, where the gap is completely filled by the adhesive compound (see figure below). The website reference provided below offers resources and step-by-step instructions on how to apply these techniques.

Benefit: Medium cost  — medium effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: No

Where to buy: Hardware store

For more information:www.soundproofliving.com

Single layer drywall, Reference, "Green Glue" layerAcoustic sealant

Acoustic sealant is especially suited for sealing up cracks and gaps in walls due to its permanent elasticity and malleability. Regular caulk will harden and crack after a few years while acoustic sealant will maintain its elasticity, to prevent air leaking into the house and carrying noise with it.

Benefit: Low cost — low effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: Depends on program (if the post-work energy evaluation reveals improvedefficiency)

Where to buy: Hardware store

Mass loaded vinyl (MLV)

Other than drywall, MLV is a sound barrier material comprised of two principal ingredients: vinyl for flexibility, and barium sulfate to act as a highmass element. Barium sulfate has a high relative density to effectively impede sound transmission, and is non-toxic.

Benefit: Medium cost — high effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: No

Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart (online only)

Vinyl Siding

A dense material which reduces the amount of noise that can infiltrate buildings. Additionally, vinyl siding is versatile, low maintenance, durable, and affordable. Given its light weight and straightforward installation method, vinyl siding can be installed by the property owner. Vinyl siding is available in various colours and forms, including vertical and horizontal panels, shakes, lap, and beaded designs.

Benefit: High cost  — medium effectiveness

Subsidy applicable: No (the addition of exterior insulation is eligible)

Where to buy: Hardware store, contractor

For more information: Contractors and Siding Services in Montréal

• Supplier no. 1
• Supplier no.2
• Supplier no. 3

Fibre Cement Siding

The information provided in this guide demonstrates that air infiltration is responsible both for sound transmission and heat loss. As a result, efforts to increase energy efficiency will also improve the soundproofing of a building. Because of these cobenefits, the following grant programs for energy efficiency upgrades offer financial support for sound attenuation work. 

Consult page 15 of the complete guide to view our tbale outlining the different possible renovations and their subsidy eligibility.

This a federal program that offers grants from $125 to $5,000 for eligible home retrofits. Interest-free loans are also available, up to $40,000, with a repayment term of 10 years. For more information please consult this webpage for the Canada Greener Homes grant.

The Rénoclimat program is a provincial program that offers up to $20,000 for energy efficiency upgrades. To qualify for the program, a free energy evaluation must be carried out before the upgrades, as well as after the work is completed. In Quebec, registering for the Rénoclimat program is the only way to access the Canada Greener Homes grant. These grants work in tandem - once applied to the Rénoclimat program, if the upgrades meet the criteria of the Canada Greener Homes grant, the Rénoclimat advisor will submit the documentation for the completed work to the federal program.

Only upgrades that have been implemented after the pre-retrofit energy evaluation has been completed are eligible for subsidy.

More detailed information

Here is a snapshot of the process:

1. Before undertaking any work, call 1 866 266-0008. You can also register by filling in the web application form (French only). When your application is received, a Rénoclimat energy advisor authorized in your region will contact you to agree on the date and time of your first appointment. All of the energy evaluations offerd by the program are free.
2. A Rénoclimat energy advisor will come to your home to carry out a pre-work energy evaluation of your home. Discuss your energy efficiency renovation plans with the advisor. Your advisor will calculate the Energuide rating of your home and send you an evaluation report containing energy efficiency recommendations.
3. Carry out the energy renovations yourself or hire someone to carry them out for you. Use the recommendations listed in the evaluation report to guide you through the work.
4. Contact your advisor again or call 1 866 266-0008 to obtain the post-work energy evaluation of your home. You can also obtain the post-work energy evaluation by filling in the web application form (French only). The Rénoclimat advisor will come to your home to assess the improvements and calculate its new EnerGuide rating.
5. If you are eligible, and if you have provided your social insurance number (SIN) or Québec entreprise numer (EN), your cheque for Rénoclimat financial assistance will be mailed to you in 10 to 12 weeks after the post-work evaluation of your home.