Stud Wall Sound Insulation: A Comprehensive Guide

Stud walls are commonly found in domestic housing throughout the UK, especially in flats and solid wall properties that don’t possess a cavity between the walls. These ingenious faux walls allow for insulation to be placed from within a home, slashing energy bills, reducing carbon emissions, and creating a temperature-regulated and comfortable home.

Got a noisy neighbour? Live in a crowded urban centre? Stud walls are also great for soundproofing insulation, minimising noise pollution and maximising home privacy. This ultimate guide by GreenMatch UK will provide you with all the necessary information for wall insulation for acoustic stud walls, including the process, benefits, materials and costs.

Ready to soundproof your walls? Let GreenMatch UK guide you. Spend just 30 seconds filling out our online form and receive up to 3 free home-tailored quotes directly from our nationwide network of pre-vetted installers. No charges, no obligations. Click below to begin!

Stud wall sound insulation is a home upgrade with a wealth of benefits. From apartment flats in dense urban areas to large homes with many residents, stud wall insulation helps create a perfect living environment.

Here are just some of the key perks you can enjoy with this home upgrade:

It’s important to remember that acoustic insulation is not thermal insulation, therefore soundproofing does not help retain heat. However, it’s possible to accommodate both types of insulation in the same home. Consult with a professional installer who can sketch out the best course of action tailored to your home. 

Soundproof insulation for stud walls follows the same procedure as installing thermal insulation. However, since this entire process takes place within the household, it is considered disruptive. 

To minimise mess and disturbance to your daily life, it’s recommended that you work with a professional installer who can do a professional job in the shortest amount of time. Soundproofing one room at a time might also help to leave the rest of your home mess-free and habitable.

Here's a general overview of the process of soundproofing your stud walls:

While it’s possible to carry out acoustic stud wall insulation as a DIY project, you must account for the risk of poor workmanship, longer disturbance to your home, and potential repairs that will remain outstanding. For this reason, it's highly recommended to work with a professional installer and save yourself the headache of burdensome repairs down the line.

Here at GreenMatch UK, all it takes is 30 seconds for you to fill out our intake form. In return, receive up to 3 free home-tailored quotes from our network of professionals, free of charges and obligations. Click below to secure your bargain today!

Luckily, there’s a whole host of acoustic stud wall insulation materials available on the market, tailored for every budget, home, and purpose. Each material comes with its own unique perks, drawbacks, cost ranges and applications.

Let’s have a look at some of the key options:

This is not an exhaustive list and there are plenty more material options on the market. With technological advancements, new options are emerging every day.

While there is no single best material when it comes to acoustic insulation for stud walls, acoustic mineral wool tends to be one of the most popular options. This is due to its affordability, decent soundproofing performance, and relative sustainability make it a great choice for homes of all kinds. 

From a perspective of performance, mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) stands out as the best insulation for soundproofing walls. This is due to the material's incredibly high density, which does not absorb, but reflects sound entirely. This suits rooms that intend to become recording studios or require dead silence.

From a sustainability arc, acoustic cork is one of the best materials. This is because cork is entirely recyclable, biodegradable, and can be produced sustainably with minimal impact on the environment. This makes it a great long-term solution for partition wall sound insulation. It may cost more, but also exhibits a very impressive performance.  

Ultimately, the best sound insulation for stud walls will hinge on several factors, such as your overall budget, home type, stud walls, existing insulation and much more. 

Part E of the UK Building Regulations documents outline a series of requirements for sound insulation in domestic and commercial properties. Volume one (E1) is dedicated to any structure that is considered a residential dwelling. 

Ultimately, working with a professional installer is the best way to ensure that the stud wall insulation building regulations are being followed. An accredited contractor can ensure that an approach to your home that helps achieve these soundproofing values is tailored.

Sound insulation for stud walls costs are difficult to predict an average for. This is because many factors play a role in your overall cost, such as your stud wall conditions, area of coverage, existing insulation material, and even your location.

However, we’ve broken down the costs per m2 of some of the most popular acoustic insulation materials on the market today to give you an idea of what you could expect as an investment:

The cheapest way to get acoustic insulation for stud walls may seem like a DIY approach, however, this highly disruptive process requires the dismantling of your walls, addressing outstanding repairs, and much more. Failure to do so properly can turn your home upgrade into a financial nightmare.

That’s why it's recommended to work with professional installers who can tailor the best approach for your home and carry out a job with high-quality workmanship. Finding the perfect installer can be a tough job involving endless hours of research, but GreenMatch UK can take care of that. 

Instead of spending all your time on websites and phone calls, just spend 30 seconds filling out our online form, and receive up to 3 free home-tailored quotes from our network of pre-vetted professionals. No costs or obligations apply. Click below to begin!