In order for a wall to block sound, it needs to be properly constructed. Key components include density, an airtight seal, a large air gap, insulation, and proper sound isolation. To start with density, if the drywall you are using seems light and thin, it’s not the best option to reduce sound transmission! Using thicker drywall is the first step in building a good soundproof wall. We always recommend using 5/8” thick drywall over 1/2” thick drywall for soundproofing purposes.

You also need to ensure that the wall is sealed completely airtight. No matter how dense your wall is, there is going to be sound transmission if the wall isn’t properly sealed. Imagine a 12” thick concrete wall with a 1” hole in it. The wall is obviously extremely thick and dense, but you’ll still be able to hear people talking on the other side due to that tiny hole.

The best way to seal up your drywall is to use acoustical sealant. We recommend using it around the perimeter of the wall and around any openings, such as outlets, light switches, or any other cracks and penetrations.

Other ways to improve the performance of a wall is to have a larger air gap between the two pieces of drywall and to fill that gap with insulation. We create a larger air gap in a variety of ways, ranging from two rows of studs to sound isolation clips. The right construction will depend on the project and the STC rating requirements.

A good soundproof wall needs all of the above to be considered to block sound.

Here are the different types of drywall that are used for soundproofing walls and the results you can expect from each one.

Soundproof Drywall Level 0: Typical Drywall - ½” Thick

Standard 1/2" drywall is not a good starting point for a soundproofing project. Your typical residential home will have walls with STC ratings from the high 20s to the low 30s. If you install a sheet of 1/2" drywall on either side of a wall that’s not particularly well sealed, that’s just where you’ll end up. For context, this means that if someone on the other side of a wall is talking loudly, they can be easily heard and possibly even understood.

If you are considering soundproof drywall, you should already have ruled out ½” drywall! It is definitely not what you want when building a structure that needs enhanced soundproofing.

Soundproof Drywall Level 1: Extra Thick Drywall ⅝” Thick

The difference between 1/2" and 5/8" of an inch doesn’t seem like much, but when it comes to soundproofing, that extra 1/8" can make a huge difference. With your typical 2x4 studs, batt insulation, and 5/8” drywall, a wall will typically hit an STC of 34-38. To hit the top end of that range, the wall will need to be well sealed. At this level, you will only hear a murmur if someone is talking loudly on the other side of the wall.

5/8" thick drywall is easy to find as it is readily available at your local drywall supplier. There’s no excuse for not using 5/8” drywall if soundproofing is a consideration for the project, but many situations needs higher STC ratings.

5/8" drywall is a great place to start when improving the noise reduction of a wall, and it should be combined with acoustical sealant for proper soundproofing.

Soundproof Drywall Level 2: Soundproof Drywall (Soundbreak XP)

Soundproof drywall is the most effective type of drywall. As the name suggests, soundproof drywall is designed specifically for blocking sound and is used in professional applications such as a soundproof a gun range or music studio where serious levels of sound reduction are needed. There are quite a few products out there that advertise as soundproof drywall. Our preferred option is Soundbreak XP.

Soundbreak XP is a double layer drywall with a design that decouples sound, forcing the sound waves to travel through 2 thick layers rather than one. The result is a highly effective sound barrier that can yield an STC rating of up to 53 when placed on either side of a wall. For reference, this means if someone is talking very loudly in an adjacent room, their voice will be completely inaudible. For the highest STC requirements, we recommend combining the RSIC-1 clip with SoundbreakXP for what we like to refer to as “Beast Mode” soundproofing. Yes, that’s a technical term.

If you think your wall needs to go Beast Mode, reach out to a Second Skin soundproofing expert about combining the one of our RSIC clips with Soundbreak XP for walls as soundproof as you can make them.

Soundproof drywall is not always the best option, depending on your noise reduction requirements and the project. For smaller projects, you can basically always get better results for cheaper with the right soundproofing products. Here are some great soundproofing alternatives to soundproof drywall.

RSIC Clips for wall Soundproofing

If you’re starting at the studs, the best option is to use the RSIC-1® sound isolation clip. This product is screwed directly to the studs and decouples the drywall from the framing, making it excellent for improving both STC and IIC ratings. This is a very effective option that produces an STC 56 wall with even a basic construction using the RSIC-1 on one side of the assembly (2x4 studs, batt insulation, 5/8” drywall).

Additional Sheet Of ⅝” Drywall + Green Glue

While 5/8" thick drywall isn’t soundproof on its own, you can get it pretty darn close by installing an additional layer with Green Glue between each sheet. Green Glue acts as a decoupling agent that forces the soundwaves to pass through each sheet separately, just like Soundbreak XP. Using a second sheet of drywall and Green Glue will boost just about any wall to an STC 50+ without removing any existing drywall. Green Glue is an excellent option for retrofits.

Remember to seal around both sheets with acoustical sealant to ensure no sound waves come through the wall’s gaps, cracks, and seams.

Soundproofing the wall with Mass Loaded Vinyl Directly On The Studs

Another alternative is to get mass loaded vinyl and attach it to the studs. Mass loaded vinyl is incredibly dense and is a handy soundproofing material. Installing MLV as part of a wall assembly will put you in the STC 50 range, and is a cost-effective option that many builders are very comfortable and familiar with.

So, is soundproof drywall worth it? The answer depends on how soundproof you need the wall to be. For most applications, you can definitely get away with using 5/8" thick drywall combined with some of the other methods we mentioned above. However, if you are building a professional level room that needs the largest amount of noise reduction possible, soundproof drywall combined with something like a sound isolation clip system will be your best bet.