Wall soundproofing in Pakistan: partitions that stop noise

The short answer

Noise passes through a wall in two ways: through the materials, and around them through gaps and joined framing. Sound Krafted designs and builds soundproof walls that deal with both. We set a target STC rating for your room, then choose the build-up that reaches it in the space you have. Working since 2021, from Lahore, across Pakistan.

Most offices and homes in Pakistan have brick or block walls, or light gypsum partitions. We upgrade both: by adding an independent lining in front of a brick wall, or by rebuilding a partition with decoupled framing, extra mass and damping.

Quiet Batt soundproofing insulation in a wall

The problem: how noise gets through

Airborne noise

Voices, TV, music and meetings set the air vibrating, and the wall passes that vibration on. This is what STC measures.

Structure-borne noise

Doors slamming, machines and speakers fixed to a wall send vibration through the frame and slab into the next room.

Flanking paths

Sound goes around a good wall: over it through a false-ceiling void, under it through the floor, through back-to-back sockets, ducts and door gaps.

Low frequencies

Bass from music, generators and cinemas is the hardest to stop. It needs mass, a wide cavity and fully separated frames.

Soundproofing Walls: choose your level

Three levels, from our most complete build-up to a simple upgrade. Each shows the typical lab rating for that assembly.

LEVEL 3 (Best Solution)
Level 3 wall soundproofing build-up, cutaway illustration: typical lab rating STC 74

Two separate frames with a gap between them, insulation in both, and damped double gypsum board on each side. Our highest-performing wall; walls like this often reach the flanking limit of the test lab.

Typical lab rating: STC 74 (steel frame) · STC 73 (timber frame)

  • Double frame: the two sides never touch
  • Damping compound and two boards on each side
  • Best for low-frequency bass and heavy wall loads
  • Commercial-grade isolation for studios, cinemas and plant rooms
Request a site survey →
LEVEL 2 (Standard Solution)
Level 2 wall soundproofing build-up, cutaway illustration: typical lab rating STC 69

When there is no room for a double frame, isolation clips and furring channel separate the boards from the frame. High performance in a slim profile.

Typical lab rating: STC 69 (steel frame) · STC 67 (timber frame)

  • Isolation clips and furring channel, damped double board
  • High-performance decoupling, much slimmer than a double frame
  • Pictures and small shelves are fine; plan backing for cabinets and large screens
  • Light-duty walls in homes, apartments and offices
Request a site survey →
LEVEL 1 (Basic Solution)
Level 1 wall soundproofing build-up, cutaway illustration: typical lab rating STC 59

An extra gypsum board bonded with damping compound to the existing wall. Common and affordable, with less isolation than a decoupled wall because both faces share one frame.

Typical lab rating: STC 59 (steel frame) · STC 52 (timber frame)

  • Single frame with damping compound and an extra board
  • Boards share one frame (coupled)
  • Works best on frames at 600 mm centres; less effective at 400 mm
  • When budget is the main concern
Request a site survey →

Typical laboratory ratings (ASTM E90 / E413) for framed walls with gypsum board. Your result depends on the exact materials, the frame and the site. Field results are usually 5 to 10 points lower than lab figures because of flanking. Level figures are as published by a soundproofing supplier and have not been independently verified; treat them as indicative.

Other wall assemblies compared

Build-upTypical ratingNotes
Staggered studs on a shared track + damped double boardabout STC 62Comparison only: the shared top and bottom track limits performance
Isolation clips and furring channel, one board, no dampingabout STC 52Low-profile decoupling for light-duty walls
Resilient channel on one side, insulatedabout STC 49 (lab)Comparison only: tests well in the lab, but one screw into the frame short-circuits it on site
Standard partition + mass loaded vinyl layer under the boardabout STC 45Limited on walls; the flexible sheet suits ducts, pipes and steel framing
Standard partition: single frame, one board each side, insulatedabout STC 40Room division only; a single board adds mass but stops little sound

Typical laboratory ratings, shown for comparison. Figures are indicative.

Brick and block walls

Build-upIndicative ratingBest for
115 mm (4½") brick, plastered both sidesRw 40 to 45Internal walls in homes and offices
230 mm (9") brick, plastered both sidesRw 48 to 53Party walls and older buildings
Brick wall + independent lining (separate metal frame, gap, mineral wool, double board)Rw 60 to 65+Studios, home cinemas, rooms next to plant

Indicative ratings for masonry walls common in Pakistan (ISO 717-1 Rw, close to STC). Estimates from standard mass-law references; we confirm on survey.

How we soundproof it

Decoupling

Separate the two faces of the wall so vibration cannot pass through the framing. This can be done with isolation clips and furring channel, staggered studs, or two fully separate frames. Clips are normally set in rows about 600 mm apart, so the board touches the frame at far fewer points, and their flexibility lowers the wall's resonance.

Added mass

Heavier walls are harder to vibrate. We add layers of dense gypsum board (typically 12.5 to 15 mm, fire-rated where needed) and stagger the joints between layers.

Damping

A viscoelastic damping compound between two boards turns vibration into a small amount of heat. It is most effective between two rigid layers, and on walls framed at wider (600 mm) centres.

Cavity absorption

Mineral wool or glass wool in the cavity stops the air gap ringing, adding a few STC points to any frame.

Sealing and flanking control

Perimeter gaps are sealed with non-hardening acoustic sealant, socket boxes are wrapped in acoustic putty, sockets are not placed back to back, and walls run up to the slab, not only to the false ceiling.

What the ratings mean

STC: airborne sound

STCWhat you hear next door
25Normal speech is heard and understood
30Loud speech is heard and understood
35Loud speech is heard but hard to follow
40Loud speech is a murmur
45You must strain to hear loud speech
50Loud speech is not heard; loud music is faint (building-code minimum between homes)
55 to 60Most voices, TV and normal music are not heard
60+High isolation: needed for studios, cinemas and bass-heavy music

IIC: impact sound

IICWhat you hear below
Below 45Footsteps, dropped objects and chairs are clearly heard below
50Building-code minimum between homes (45 when field-tested)
55 to 60Good: footfall is soft and occasional
65+Excellent: suits hotels, premium apartments and rooms above studios
  • STC (Sound Transmission Class, ASTM E90 test, E413 rating) rates airborne sound. The European/ISO equivalent is Rw (ISO 717-1), usually within a few points of STC. Higher is better.
  • IIC (Impact Insulation Class, ASTM E492 test, E989 rating) rates footfall through floor/ceilings. The ISO equivalent is Ln,w (ISO 717-2), where lower is better.
  • Lab and field: lab ratings are measured without flanking. Field results (ASTC, FIIC; ASTM E336, E1007) are usually 5 to 10 points lower, so we design with a margin.
  • NRC (noise reduction coefficient, ASTM C423) rates how much sound a surface absorbs, from 0 to 1. It describes echo control, not soundproofing.
  • Building codes: the International Building Code sets STC 50 and IIC 50 (45 when field-tested) as the minimum between homes.

Where we use it

Recording, podcast and broadcast studios
Offices, cabins and boardrooms
Homes and home cinemas
Apartments and hotels (party walls)
Auditoriums and multi-purpose halls
Classrooms and lecture halls
Soundproofing installation products and tools

Our process

1

Site survey

We visit, note the noise sources and paths, the wall, floor and ceiling construction, and the space available. Start with our free acoustic room checklist.

2

Design and target

We agree a target STC and IIC rating for each element and draw the build-up, including doors, ducts and flanking details.

3

BOQ

You receive a clear bill of quantities with options by level, ready for approval or tender. See our BOQ template and acoustic consultancy.

4

Installation

Our team builds the system with careful sealing and isolation details, and plans noisy work around occupied buildings.

5

Testing and handover

We check the finished room against the brief and hand over the drawings and a summary.

Plan your wall soundproofing

Tell us about the room and the noise. We will visit, set a target rating and prepare a design and BOQ with options. Call or WhatsApp +92 300 8467101, or email info@soundkrafted.com.

Sound Krafted · Main Jinnah Park, Harbanspura, Lahore 54850 · Mon to Sat, 9 AM to 5 PM · info@soundkrafted.com

Request a Site SurveyCall +92 300 8467101WhatsApp

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our soundproofing and acoustic solutions.

For offices and homes, aim for at least STC 50, which is also the building-code minimum between dwellings in many countries. Meeting rooms that need speech privacy usually need 50 to 55. Studios, cinemas and music rooms usually need 60 to 70 or more.

Yes. We build an independent lining in front of it: a separate frame with a small gap, mineral wool and two layers of board with damping compound. It takes about 75 to 125 mm of floor space and can add 10 to 20 points to the wall's rating.

No. Foam and acoustic panels absorb echo inside a room (measured as NRC). They add very little mass, so they do not stop sound passing through. Soundproofing needs mass, decoupling, damping and sealing.

Low frequencies need more mass and a wider, fully separated cavity. Clip walls help; a double-frame wall is the most effective. We also check flanking through the floor, ceiling and doors.

Roughly: a damped extra board adds 15 to 30 mm, a clip-and-channel lining 50 to 60 mm, and a double-frame wall 200 to 300 mm in total. We confirm thickness in the design.

Yes. A wall is only as good as its weakest point. We include socket boxes, perimeter sealing, ceiling voids, doors and duct openings in the design and BOQ.