Frequently Asked Questions
SONOpan is made from 100% recycled wood fibres, it is intended for interior use only.
No it is a fibreboard panel, on interior walls you don’t require a vapour barrier, for exterior walls it is installed in front of the vapour barrier (on the warm side)
SONOpan is a fibreboard panel made from recycled wood, so it would be the same as your framing 2x4s. SONOpan is UL approved for fire rating when used behind 5/8” type X drywall.
You can box them in if possible. Or use acoustic putty if there isn’t enough space. Stagger any electrical boxes so they don’t line up in a partition wall.
Ductwork acts as a path for sound to travel along. Removing the duct or blocking the vent opening would be the best solution, but usually not realistic as it eliminates air flow. If you are building a new home or have an opportunity to rework the ducts, ensure the ductwork does not directly link rooms where you want to prevent sound transfer. If this is not an option either, ensure the vent openings are sealed tightly around the perimeter, and install either duct-liners or acoustic foam on the interior of the air vent, which will deaden some of the noise travelling through the vent. A temporary solution would be to purchase a vent cover (ex: magnetic cover) and use as needed. Installing SONOpan over ductwork will help reduce noise transmission as well, especially for long trunk ducts.
Installing SONOpan on one side of a wall will soundproof Noise travelling both ways. If you have the option it is still recommended to install SONOpan on the wall where the noise originates.
Good soundproofing is achieved through a combination of different materials, providing a variety of densities in the wall or ceiling assembly. SONOpan offers a variety of densities on its own, but must be combined with drywall and batt insulation (and more options as needed) to maximize the range of frequencies that are absorbed in the assembly.
Yes! SONOpan must be covered. Usef abric (ex: acoustic felt) if it is left exposed permanently. The combination of varying densities in the panel and the felt will provide significant sound absorption.
Adding resilient channels to an assembly will contribute to dampening sound transmission, especially in cases where very high decibels or bass frequencies will be emitted. When installed properly, SONOpan is the most important component of a wall or ceiling assembly. Resilient channels aren’t always needed however, in special cases, they will work in parallel to increase the performance of the wall or ceiling.
We recommend the appropriate insulation for the cavity, min. R12 in walls R20 in ceilings. It can be cellulose, mineral wool batts or fibreglass to stop echoing in an empty cavity. (Your ears won’t hear a difference between the three types of insulation.)
Heavier drywall (ex: 5/8’’) will contribute to dampening sound transmission, especially in cases where very high decibels or base will be emitted. SONOpan remains the most important component of a soundproof wall or ceiling assembly.
It will not be as performant. SONOpan has a patented Noise STOP Technology that allows it to capture a wide range of sounds. By adding SONOpan, you will get more soundproofing than by simply adding another layer of drywall.
SONOpan is less expensive, and much easier to install than Green Glue! SONOpan can be used with a single sheet of drywall.
Yes, it can be retrofitted by installing SONOpan over existing drywall and install drywall over top of SONOpan.
You can do it, but each additional layer of SONOpan will have diminishing returns on soundproofing The ¾” thickness of the panel was designed to give you the optimum performance. 1 layer of ¾” thick SONOpan is ideal. Other than that be sure to use insulation in the cavity and use 5/8” drywall.
We recommend soundproofing all partition walls and ceilings (if in basement) to effectively minimize sound transfer.
Yes, it is a dense panel, so it can be left exposed while you finish the project. Do not disturb it and it will have minimal shed. Do not leave it exposed to the elements.
Absolutely! We make SONOpan without the use of any glues or chemicals. The panels are made from 100% recycled wood and are 100% recyclable. We use natural binding agents so there are zero VOCs or formaldehyde.