I am getting stuck into another HMO development…and sound proofing has been on my mind.

I am yet to see Part E regulations enforced for smaller HMOs, but it is possible. That said it can be good practice to be making sure there is solid level of sound insulation…especially when going back to brick.

These are some of the steps I will be taking to stop sound transmission between rooms - please note this is just a wish list...it is probably worth tackling the problem areas (walls/floors between units) rather than the whole building.
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WALLS:
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· If the wall is brick, I will have a stud frame built in front with a minimum 4-inch batton

· Insulate the voids with acoustic insulation.

· Double layer acoustic plasterboard

· Stagger the joints in the plasterboard

· Affix plasterboard to resilient bars or genie clips

· Use different brands and thicknesses for each layer (the different densities will stop different frequencies of sound coming through).

· Use sound proofing caulking joints
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CEILINGS:
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· I will be insulating between the studs

· Double layering & staggering the acoustic plasterboard

· Affixing to resilient bars or genie clips

· Installing a “false ceiling” (only if there is enough room height, as I can lose up to 20cm)

FLOORS:

· “Floating floor” covered by a rubber matt – that is not affixed to the joints at all. These are tongue and grove chipboards with foam backing, that are glued together. Each board is 25kg and stays put

The recommendation is against downlights as they lower the acoustic integrity. You can use “Acoustic hoods” – I will be exploring other lighting options.

FURNISHINGS:
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· Thick carpets

· Thick underlay

· Fabric beds

· Curtains
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Just a note about “flanking transmission” – this is where joists are “shared” between rooms. A good tip to try and stop vibrations (and sound) travelling from one room to another is by filling floor voids under studwork where joists are shared between rooms.

Big thanks to Grant from www.Londonsoundproofing.co.uk for all the advice.


#toptips #property #hmolandlord #hmo #HMOdevelopment

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