Stuart Street Project, Pembroke – SONOpan Soundproofing for 8-Unit Residential Buildings

Overview

SONOpan soundproofing enhanced an 8 unit multi unit residential project in Pembroke, Ontario. The development is part of a 68 door community made up of seven buildings with four upper and four lower units in each. Developer Andrew Plummer of AJ Renovations and project manager Nick Brown of NB Custom Inc set out to reduce airborne noise transferring between stacked upper and lower apartments. This is a common challenge in multi-unit buildings that can significantly affect tenant comfort and lead to unnecessary noise complaints.

Solution

The construction team selected SONOpan for multi-unit residential applications as the key material to improve sound control. SONOpan panels were installed directly on the basement ceilings, forming the foundation of an efficient acoustic assembly. The complete system combined ceiling joists, batt insulation, SONOpan panels, and finishing drywall. This layered design helped decouple surfaces and effectively block airborne and impact sounds between levels. To maximize privacy between side-by-side units, partition walls were built with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), creating a hybrid assembly that provided both mass and isolation. This system proved ideal for stacked apartment designs, where controlling vertical and horizontal sound transmission is essential. The product gained attention through displays at The Home Depot in Pembroke, where the store team reached out for more information. Scott from SONOpan connected with Andrew and Nick during early construction, providing on-site guidance, product literature, and technical details to ensure proper installation. Multiple site visits followed, including a second building check-up to confirm consistent results and support the builders throughout the process.

Results

After installation, noise transfer between upper and lower units decreased dramatically. Nick Brown personally confirmed the improvement by living temporarily in one of the units during construction and noting how sound levels dropped before and after applying SONOpan. Tenants now enjoy a quiet, private living experience free from everyday disturbances, while the developer has peace of mind knowing the suites perform above expectation for acoustic separation.

Applications

SONOpan for multi-unit residential projects offers an effective, practical solution for developers and contractors aiming to improve sound privacy in stacked apartments, townhomes, and low-rise communities. The simplicity of installation, proven acoustic results, and compatibility with standard ceiling assemblies make it a dependable choice across residential builds. Encouraged by the success of the Pembroke project, the team has begun exploring advanced products like SONOpanX for future developments to further enhance soundproofing performance and tenant satisfaction.
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