Understanding how sound moves through walls, floors, and ceilings is essential for creating comfortable and quiet spaces in homes, offices, and commercial buildings. This is where the Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating comes into play.
STC is a standardized measure that rates how effectively a building partition, such as a wall or floor, can block airborne sound. The higher the STC rating, the better the material prevents sound from passing through.
AIRBORN NOISE
Sound Transmission Class (STC) is a numerical rating that measures how effectively a material can block airborne noise from passing through walls, floors, and ceilings.
Airborne noise includes sounds like voices, music, or traffic. It travels through the air and can easily penetrate thin or poorly insulated barriers, reducing comfort and privacy in living and working environments.
Understanding STC ratings can help you select suitable materials to minimize unwanted noise and create quieter, more comfortable spaces.
Our Products
At SONOpan, we specialize in providing high-quality soundproofing solutions that enhance the STC ratings of your assemblies, ensuring that your spaces remain peaceful and private.
Our products meet diverse acoustic needs and are designed to improve sound insulation in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. Continue reading to make informed decisions about the materials and solutions that best suit your project requirements.
STC-RATED ASSMEMBLIES
Our STC-rated wall assemblies and ceiling assemblies are designed to provide excellent sound attenuation and noise reduction, but the best results are achieved by combining different materials. Explore our STC-rated assemblies and learn how SONOpan can help you achieve optimal sound control for any environment.
2×4 Empty Wall, 1/2″ Drywall
2×4 Insulated wall, 1/2″ Drywall
2×4 Wall with SONOpan Panel
(Without Insulation)
2×4 Insulated Wall, SONOpan, Resilient Channel, Double Drywall
HOW WELL SONOPAN WORKS
Our STC-rated wall assemblies and ceiling assemblies are designed to provide excellent sound attenuation and noise reduction, but the best results are achieved by combining different materials.
Reduce Resonance
Insulation stops resonance in an empty cavity and helps capture specific frequencies. The human ear cannot distinguish between specialty, fibreglass, wool, or cellulose-type insulation, so we recommend simply using the appropriate size insulation for the cavity. Spray foam and polystyrene insulations are not recommended for sound attenuation.
Absorb Sound
SONOpan – Sound Absorption
Our sound reduction panels have dual functions. They create a solid barrier to stop sound while absorbing a wide range of sound frequencies, including low bass.
Our Noise STOP Technology is the key to this. SONOpan has over 17,000 impressions on both sides of the panel, resulting in varying density throughout. Regarding soundproofing, each frequency range has a corresponding sound wave, with peaks and valleys of a specific size. SONOpan’s mountains and valleys make it highly effective at soundproofing.
Stop Vibrational Noises
Decoupling (For extreme soundproofing only)
Decoupling is the most common item left out of an assembly for good reason since it is not usually necessary. There are several ways to decouple a wall or ceiling if you require extreme soundproofing. Decoupling breaks the connection between two building materials, reducing the transmission of sound vibrations from one material to the other.
Decoupling is not always necessary for soundproofing, but it is effective when heavy vibrational frequencies are present. Options include:
Block Noise With Mass
Mass – 5/8″ Drywall
Mass is an essential element in soundproofing. Like the other four elements, it cannot be substituted. There are several options for adding mass, but the simplest is drywall. 5/8″ thick drywall is not only thicker than 1/2″ but also has a denser core, which is superior for soundproofing applications.
In extreme soundproofing situations, up to 2 sheets of 5/8″ drywall can be used on each side of the wall or the ceiling. Don’t let that intimidate you, though! Many situations will still be fine with a single sheet of 1/2″ drywall.
Our stc rated wall assemblies and stc ceiling assemblies are designed to provide effective soundproofing solutions for both residential and commercial spaces. With years of experience and expertise in the field of soundproofing, we have developed a range of stc rated assemblies and techniques to help you achieve the best possible sound attenuation results.
SONOpan - STC 27
SONOpan panels alone have an STC rating of 27. Panel dimensions are 4 feet x 8 feet and 3/4 inch thick. Made from 100% recycled wood, SONOpan is easy to work with. Install SONOpan over the joists or studs on any wall or ceiling.
In retrofit situations, SONOpan can be installed behind the drywall in new construction or sandwiched between the existing and a new drywall sheet.
• STC – 40*: Open joist 300 mm (12″), SONOpan 19 mm (3/4″), Type X Drywall 15.9 mm (5/8″)
• STC – 50*: Open joist 300 mm (12″), Batt Insulation (R-20 min.), SONOpan 19 mm (3/4″), Type X Drywall 15.9 mm (5/8″)/
• STC – 58*: Open joist 300 mm (12″), Batt Insulation (R-20 min.), Resilient Channels at 610 mm (24″) o.c., SONOpan 19 mm (3/4″), Type X Drywall 15.9 mm (5/8″), Type X Drywall 15.9 mm (5/8″)
STC - 40*
STC - 50*
STC - 58*
STC - 43*
STC - 52*
Compare to STC 36 if SONOpan is swapped for mineral wool insulation.
STC - 53*
STC - 56*
STC - 58*
Take extra care to mark out resilient channel and stud locations, if the channel is shorted out it becomes redundant in the assembly.
STC - 68*
Ceilings: STC - 56*
Walls: STC - 56*
* The indicated STC / FSTC performances on drawings can vary according to the physical properties of the materials in the assembly and their installation.
TIPS
Here you have helpful videos on how to properly install our stc rated wall assemblies and stc ceiling assemblies. In addition to information on our stc rated assemblies and stc rating wall assemblies, these videos offer valuable insights to make your soundproofing project a success.
Testimonials
Discover how SONOpan noise-reducing panels have helped create quieter and more enjoyable spaces. Read on to hear from our happy testimonials and see how installing SONOpan panels can help soundproof a room and reduce sound transmission and noise levels.
Have questions about SONOpan or SONOpanX? Get in touch with us today.
