A Guide for Residential

Sound Control Using

Fiber Glass Insulation
Table of Contents
■ Introduction pg. 1 Introduction
■ Sound Ratings pg. 2 A disturbing and ever-present problem in
Airborne Sound pg. 2 contemporary living is the increasing proliferation
of unwanted sound or noise.
Impact Sound pg. 2
The sounds produced by a constantly growing
■ Sound Control Practices pg. 3 number of modern conveniences, i.e., television
■ Density and Sound Insulation pg. 3 sets, stereos, dishwashers, air conditioners, radios,
and the like, are spurring concerned doctors and
■ The Right Insulating Material pg. 3
psychologists to warn us of the extensive damage
■ Major Research & Development Facility pg. 3 noise can cause to our mental health and physical
■ Building Insulation Assemblies pg. 4 well-being.
Fortunately, we can design and build to keep
■ Availability and Technical Support pg. 10 noise under control—in stores, offices, motels, and
even in our homes.
This brochure has been prepared to help you
select the wall and floor/ceiling system best suited
to reduce sound transmission.

1
 Sound Ratings
Airborne Sound Impact Sound
The STC or sound transmission class is a single In addition to the STC rating, which concerns
number rating used to indicate the effectiveness of airborne sound, floor/ceiling assemblies are also
an entire construction assembly (partition, wall, rated for impact sound resistance. Impact sound is
floor/ceiling) in resisting the passage of airborne structure-borne sound transmitted when one body
sound. The rating is determined using ASTM E 413, strikes another, such as in the case of footsteps and
“Classification for Rating Sound Insulation,” from falling objects. A single number, the impact
sound transmission loss values (measured in insulation class (IIC), is used to describe impact
decibels) that are obtained by tests conducted in sound performance. The IIC is determined using
accordance with ASTM E 90 “Standard Method for ASTM E 989, “Classification for Determination of
Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Impact Insulation Class (IIC)” from test data obtained
Transmission Loss of Building Partitions.” The higher in accordance with ASTM E 492, “Laboratory
the STC rating, the better the sound insulation Measurement of Impact Sound Transmission
performance of the construction. Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies Using the Tapping
For multi-family dwellings, building codes require Machine.” As with STC ratings, a higher number
minimum STC ratings for partition, wall, and indicates better performance. Cushioning the impact
floor/ceiling constructions that separate certain with carpet and pad is one of the most effective
building areas and occupancies. These ratings are methods of isolating impact noise. The use of fiber
usually based on multiples of five, such as 45, 50, 55 glass insulation with a resilient ceiling attachment will
and 60. If a partition has an STC rating between 45 increase the sound insulation for both airborne and
and 50, there is usually little concern whether the impact sound. (Note: carpet and pad do not
test results were 46, 47, 48 or 49, as all four ratings significantly increase the STC rating.) The
would meet a minimum rating of 45. However, the Basic/National (BOCA) Building Code requires a
partition would not be acceptable for an STC 50 minimum IIC of 45 for floor/ceilings separating living
requirement. units from other living units, public spaces, are
The National (BOCA) and Standard (SBCCI) service areas. The Uniform Building Code (ICBO)
Building Codes, for example, require an STC 45 for requires a minimum IIC of 50 (45 if field tested).
partitions and floor/ceiling separating living units
from other living units, public spaces, and service
areas. The Uniform Building Code (ICBO) requires
an STC 50 (45 if field tested). An indication of the
approximate effectiveness of constructions with
various STC ratings in blocking passage of loud
speech is shown in the following chart:

STC Ratings
Sound Noise
Transmission Speech Control
Class (STC) Audibility* Rating
Normal speech Poor
15 to 25 easily understood.
25 to 35 Loud speech easily
understood. Normal Marginal
speech 50% understood.
35 to 45 Loud speech 50% Good
understood. Normal
speech faintly heard,
but not understood.
45 to 55 Loud speech faintly heard, Very Good
but not understood. Normal
speech usually inaudible.
55 and up Loud speech usually Excellent
inaudible.
*Given a typical background noise level of 30 dB on the “listening” side.

2
Sound Control Practices
In addition to the specific sound rated construction
assemblies detailed in this guide, certain
The Right Insulating Material
construction practices are recommended to reduce CertainTeed offers a complete line of insulation
sound transmission. products made of one of the most dependable,
To obtain maximum benefit with sound rated durable, and effective materials—fiber glass. In
constructions, the perimeter of the construction must addition to its thermal properties, fiber glass is also
be sealed with caulking wherever it is not completely an excellent acoustical material.
sealed by normal construction methods (e.g., tape The use of CertainTeed Building Insulation,
and joint compound). In general, penetrations such CertaSound™ Sound Attenuation Batts for steel stud
as service lines (e.g., plumbing and gas lines), construction, CertaSound™ NoiseReducer™ Sound
electrical outlets, and medicine cabinets should be Control Batts for wood studs and CertaSound™
minimized. If penetrations are necessary, openings Acoustical Ceiling Batts in walls and ceilings can
should be caulked airtight. If medicine cabinets are help to effectively control sound. InsulSafe® 4 and
installed, they should be surface mounted and if OPTIMA® blowing insulation for use in the Blow-In-
electrical boxes are to be included on each side of Blanket® System (BIBS) also provides excellent
the partition, they should not be installed “back-to acoustical performance. The illustrations that follow
back” within the same stud space. are representative of the more common applications
Plumbing noise can be reduced by using larger of fiber glass insulation for acoustical purposes.
pipes or cast iron pipes, installing air chambers to In addition to the previously mentioned products,
eliminate water hammer, and by isolating pipes from CertainTeed offers other products that can be used
structural framing with resilient rods. Doors of solid for sound control. CertainTeed Fiber Glass Duct
wood or mineral core provide better sound control Liner, Duct Board, Duct Wrap and CertainTeed
than hollow core doors. Door frames and sills should Commercial Board are also widely used for sound
be gasketed to seal tightly when doors are closed. control.
Windows should have weatherstripping and double
panes of insulating glass. The use of heavy curtains Major Research & Development Facility
or draperies can help reduce sound transmission.
CertainTeed’s research and development personnel
As with partition and wall construction, penetrations
are headquartered at Blue Bell, PA. Our experienced
in sound rated floor/ceiling assemblies should be
staff of scientists and technicians are responsible
caulked airtight. Ceiling fixtures should be surface
for the company’s testing program, including much
mounted, not recessed, and carpet and pad or
of the data in this publication. Our laboratory has
resilient tile will greatly reduce impact sound
been certified ISO 25 by the Canadian General
transmission through these assemblies.
Standards Board.

Density and Sound Insulation

It is incorrect to assume that higher density
insulation means improved sound insulation.
Comparative tests conducted at nationally
recognized sound laboratories show that varying the
density of insulation, while maintaining constant
thickness, does not have any significant effect on the
STC rating of the construction. Additional tests have
shown that thickness is the most important property
when describing a cavity absorbing material.
Thickness affects the sound transmission loss at
most frequencies and therefore affects the STC
rating. More detailed information on this subject is
contained in reports published in Volume 49,
Number 2. 1971, page 385 and in Volume 53,
Number 6, 1973, page 1530 of “The Journal of the
Acoustical Society of America.”

3
 Building Insulation Assemblies
Sound Rating Construction Details
1 STC 39
Test No. RAL-TL94-305
2 x4 STC 34 (no insulation)
Wood Stud Test. No. RAL-TL94-275
Partition Materials 2 x 4 Wood Studs 16" o.c.
2 x 4 Wood Plates
31⁄2" CertainTeed
31⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
Fiber Glass 1⁄2" Regular Gypsum Wallboard
Insulation

2x4
1⁄2" Regular

Thickness 41⁄2" Gypsum Wallboard

2 STC
Test No.
50
WHI ST-2
Wood Stud STC 46 w/1⁄2" Type “X”
Gypsum Wallboard1
Resilient Test. No. TL-93-173
Channel Materials 2 x 4 Wood Studs 16" o.c.
Partition 2 x 4 Wood Plates
31⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
31⁄2" CertainTeed Resilient Channel one side
Fiber Glass
Insulation 5⁄8" Type “X” Gypsum Wallboard

Resilient Furring
Channel

5⁄8"
Type “X”
2x4
Gypsum Wallboard
1⁄2"Gypsum Wallboard
Filler Strip 1 Based on National Research Council of Canada data.
Thickness 5"

3 STC
Test. No.
511
TL-93-180
Wood Stud Materials 2 x 4 Wood Studs 16" o.c.
Resilient 2 x 4 Wood Plates
31⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
Channel Resilient Channel one side
Partition 1⁄2" Gypsum Wallboard

(2 layers nonresilient side)

31⁄2" CertainTeed
Fiber Glass
Insulation
Resilient Furring
Channel

1⁄2" Type “X”

2x4
Gypsum Wallboard
1⁄2" Gypsum Wallboard

Thickness 51⁄2" Filler Strip 1 Based on National Research Council of Canada data.

4
4 STC 451
2x 4 Materials 2 x 4 Wood Studs 16" o.c.
Wood Stud 2 x 4 Wood Plates
31⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
Partition 2 layers 1⁄2" Type “X” Gypsum
Wallboard each side
31⁄2" CertainTeed
Fiber Glass
Insulation

2x4
1⁄2" Type “X”

Thickness 53⁄4" Gypsum Wallboard 1 Based on NAIMA BI 405 data.

5 STC
Test. No.
501
TL-93-249
Staggered Materials 2 x 4 Wood Studs
staggered 16" o.c.
Wood Stud 2 x 6 Wood Plates
Partition 21⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
5⁄8" Type “X” Gypsum Wallboard

2x4

21⁄2" CertainTeed
Fiber Glass
Insulation

5⁄8"
Type “X”
Gypsum Wallboard
2x6
1 Based on National Research Council of Canada data.
Thickness 61⁄2"

6 STC
Test. No.
581
TL-93-270
Double Materials 2 x 4 Wood Studs 16" o.c.
(double row)
Wood Stud 2 x 4 Wood Plates
Partition 31⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
1⁄2" Type “X” Gypsum Wallboard

31⁄2" CertainTeed
Fiber Glass
Insulation

2X4
1⁄2" Type “X”

Gypsum Wallboard

Thickness 9"

5
 Building Insulation Assemblies
Sound Rating Construction Details
7 Exterior Surface
STC
Test. No.
38
RAL-TL94-301
Exterior Materials 2 x 4 Wood Studs 16" o.c.
2 x 4 Wood Plates
Wood Stud 31⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
Wall Interior Surface 1⁄2" Regular
Gypsum Wallboard
31⁄2" CertainTeed
Fiber Glass Exterior Surface
Insulation 1⁄2" Plywood Sheathing

Vinyl Siding

1⁄2" Regular

Thickness 47⁄8" Gypsum Wallboard

8 STC
Materials
501 (Estimate)
2 x 4 Wood Studs 16" o.c.
Wood Stud 2 x 4 Wood Plates
Resilient 31⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
Exterior Surface Interior Surface
Channel Resilient Channel
Partition 5⁄8" Type “X” Gypsum Wallboard

Exterior Surface
31⁄2" CertainTeed 1⁄2" Gypsum Sheathing
Fiber Glass 3⁄4" Exterior Plywood (per
Insulation
Model Code requirements)
Resilient Furring
Channel

2x4 5⁄8" Type “X”

Gypsum Wallboard
1⁄2" Gypsum Wallboard

Filler Strip 1 Based on CertainTeed Test, WHI ST-2.

Thickness 51⁄2"

9 STC
Test. No.
45
WHI 209-1
21⁄2" STC 471 w/5⁄8" Type “X”
Gypsum Wallboard
Steel Stud 21⁄2" Steel Studs
Materials 21⁄2" Steel Studs 24" o.c.
@ 24" o.c.
Partition 21⁄2" Steel Stud Track
21⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
Resilient Channel one side
1⁄2" Type “X” Gypsum Wallboard

21⁄2" CertainTeed
Fiber Glass
Insulation

1⁄2" Type “X”

Gypsum Wallboard
Steel Stud Track
Thickness 31⁄2"
1 Based on NAIMA BI 405 data.

6
10
35⁄8" Steel Studs STC 46
35⁄8" @ 24" o.c.
Test. No. WHI ST-4
Steel Stud STC 50 w/5⁄8" Type “X”
Partition Gypsum Wallboard
Test. No. RAL-TL91-123
Materials 35⁄8" Steel Studs 24" o.c.
31⁄2" CertainTeed
Fiber Glass
35⁄8" Steel Stud Track
Insulation 31⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
1⁄2" Type “X” Gypsum Wallboard
" Type “X”
1⁄2

Gypsum Wallboard

Steel Stud Track

Thickness 45⁄8"

11 STC
Test. No.
541
RAL-TL94-305
Staggered Materials 21⁄2" Steel Studs 24" o.c.
Steel Stud 21⁄2" Steel Stud Track
21⁄2" Steel Studs 21⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
Partition @ 24" o.c. 2 layers 1⁄2" Type “X” Gypsum
Wallboard each side

21⁄2" CertainTeed
Fiber Glass
Insulation

1⁄2"
Type “X”
Gypsum Wallboard
2x6
Steel Stud Track
Thickness 41⁄2" 1 Based on NAIMA BI 405 data.

12 STC
IIC
531
731
Floor/Ceiling Standard
Carpet
3⁄8"
Particle Board Materials 2 x 10 Wood Joists 16" o.c.
Underlayment
Construction & Pad
5⁄8" Plywood
31⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
Resilient Channel
Subfloor
1⁄2" Type “X” Gypsum Wallboard

5⁄8" Plywood Subfloor

3⁄8" Particle Board Underlayment

Carpet & Pad

Resilient Furring
Channel
31⁄2" CertainTeed
Fiber Glass
Insulation

1⁄2" Type “X”

1 Based on NAIMA BI 405 data.
Gypsum Wallboard

7
 Building Insulation Assemblies
Sound Rating Construction Details
13 Standard
Carpet
& Pad
11⁄2" Light Weight
Concrete
STC
IIC
581
741
Floor/Ceiling 5⁄8" Plywood

Subfloor
Materials 2 x 10 Wood Joists 16" o.c.
31⁄2" Fiber Glass Insulation
Construction Resilient Channel
1⁄2" Type “X” Gypsum Wallboard

5⁄8" Plywood Subfloor

11⁄2" Light Weight Concrete

Resilient Furring
Channel Carpet & Pad

31⁄2" CertainTeed
Fiber Glass
Insulation

1⁄2"
Type “X” 1 Based on NAIMA BI 405 data.
Gypsum Wallboard

8
Fire Rated Wall Assemblies

Rating: Rating:
Rating: 11 hour hour non-bearing
non-bearing(U(U465465ororUU419)
419)
Rating:
Rating: 22 hourhour non-bearing
non-bearing(U (U419)
419) Rating: 22 hour non-bearing(U
hour non-bearing (U411
411ororUU419)
419)
Double 5 Single layer 5/88”" Type
Type XX gypsum
gypsum board on each side
Double
Double layer
1
layer 1//22”" Type
Type XX gypsum
gypsum board
board Double layerlayer 5//88”" Type
Type XX gypsum
gypsum board
board
2211//22”" steel
steel studs
studs on on 24"
24" centers 3355//8”" steel
steel studs
studs on on 24"
24" centers
centers 6"
6” steel
steelstuds
studson
on 24"
24"centers
centers
centers 8
6 11//44”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber
fiber glass
glass insulation
insulation
2211//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber
fiber glass
glass insulation
insulation 3311//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiberfiber glass
glass insulation
insulation

Rating:
Rating: 22 hour hour non-bearing
non-bearing(U(U419) 419)
Rating:
Rating: 2 hourhour non-bearing
non-bearing(U (U411)
411) Rating:
Rating: 22 hour non-bearing(U
hour non-bearing (U436)
436)
Chase
Chase wall: wall:Double layer55//88"”Type
Doublelayer TypeXXgypsum
gypsumboardboard
Double
Double layer layer 55//88”" Type
Type XX gypsum
gypsum board
board on each side
on each side
Double layer 55/88”" Type
Double layer Type XX gypsum
gypsum board
board 6"
6” steel
steelstuds
studson on 24"24"centers
centers
Min. 2211/22”" steel studs on 24" centers
Min. 1155//88”" steel
steel studs on 24" centers
6 11//44”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber fiber glass
glass insulation
insulation
221//22”" Certainteed
1 CertainTeed fiber glass insulation CertainTeed
Certainteed fiber fiber glass
glass insulation
insulation to to fill
fill cavity
cavity

Rating:
Rating: 1 hour non-bearing
non-bearing(U (U420)
420) Rating: 33//44hour
Rating: " hourbearing
bearing (U(U
317)317)
Rating:
Rating: 1 hourhour non-bearing
non-bearing(U
(U419)
419) Single layer 1/22”" Type
Chase
Chase wall: wall:Single layer55//88"”Type
Singlelayer TypeXXgypsum
gypsumboard
board Type XX gypsum
gypsum board on each side
Single layer 55/88”" Type
Single layer Type X gypsum board
board 2"
2" xx 4" 4" wood
woodstuds
studs onon 16"
16"centers
centers
Min. 3311/22”" steel studs on 24" centers
Min. 1155//88”" steel
steel studs on 24" centers
3 11//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber
fiber glass
glass insulation
insulation
3311//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber glass insulation 3311//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber
fiber glass
glass insulation
insulation

Rating:
Rating: 11 hour hour bearing
bearing(U(U305)
305)
Rating:
Rating: 2 hour non-bearing
non-bearing(U (U420)
420) Single layer 5/88”" Type
Type XX gypsum
gypsum board on each side
Rating:
Rating: 2 hour hour non-bearing
non-bearing(U (U419)
419)
Chase
Chase wall: wall:Double layer55//88"”Type
Doublelayer TypeXXgypsum
gypsumboard
board 2"
2” xx 4" 4"wood
woodstuds
studsonon16"
16"centers
centers
Double
Double layerlayer 11/22”" Type
Type XX gypsum
gypsum board
board 3 11//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber
fiber glass
glass insulation
insulation
3355//88”" steel
steel studs
studs on on 24"
24" centers 1155//88”" steel studs on 24" centers
3311//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber glass insulation 2211//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber glass insulation
insulation

Rating:
Rating: 1 hour hour non-bearing
non-bearing(U(U465
465ororUU419)
419) Rating:
Rating: 2 hour non-bearing
non-bearing(U (U497)
497) Rating:
Rating: 11 hour
hour bearing
bearing(U(U341)
341)
Single
Single layerlayer 55/88”" Type
Type XX gypsum
gypsum board
board Shaft
Shaft wall:wall:Single
Singlelayer
layer1"1"Type
TypeFSWFSWgypsum
gypsumboard
board Single layer 5/88”" Type
Type XX gypsum
gypsum board on each side
3355//88”" steel
steel studs
studs on on 24"
24" centers one
one side,
side, Double layer 11/22”" Type
Double layer Type FSW-G
FSW-G gypsum
gypsum board
board 2"
2" xx 4"
4" double
double wood wood studs
studs on
on 24"
24" centers
centers
3311//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber glass insulation other side
other 2 layers 3 11//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber
fiber glass
glass insulation
insulation
2211//22”" steel I studs on 24" centers
1111//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed CertaPro Partition
Partition insulation
insulation

NOTE:
NOTE:
Drawingsfor
Drawings forillustration
illustrationpurposes
purposes only.
only. Refer
Refer to
to
UnderwritersLaboratories
Underwriters LaboratoriesFire
FireResistance
ResistanceDirectory
Directory
forassembly
for assemblydetails
detailsand
andother
otheroptions.
options.
Rating
Rating:11hour hour non-bearing
non-bearing (U(U 465)
465) Rating:
Rating: 22 hour non-bearing(U
hour non-bearing (U498)
498)
Single
Single layerlayer 55/88”" Type
Type XX gypsum
gypsum board
board Shaft
Shaft wall:wall:Double
Double layer
layer(1" TypeXX++1/21/"2Type
(1"Type ” TypeFSW)
FSW)
3355//88”" steel
steel studs
studs on on 24"
24" centers gypsum
gypsum board board onon one side, Single layer 11/22”"
3311//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber glass insulation Type
TypeFSW-G FSW-Ggypsum
gypsumboard
boardononother
other side
side
2211//22”" steel I studs on 24" centers
1111//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed CertaPro Partition
Partition insulation
insulation

Rating: Rating:
Rating: 11 hour non-bearing(U
hour non-bearing (U499)
499)
Rating: 11 hour
hour non-bearing
non-bearing(U(U419)
419)
Single layer 55//88”" Type
Single layer Type XX gypsum
gypsum board
board Shaft
Shaftwall: wall:Single
Singlelayer
layer1"1"Type
TypeFSW
FSW gypsum
gypsumboard onon
board
Min. 3311/22”" steel studs on 24" centers
Min. one
one side,side,Single
single layer
layer5/8”
5 Type FSW
/8” Type FSW gypsum
gypsumboard
boardon
on
3311//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed fiber glass insulation
insulation other
other side side
2211//22”" steel I studs on
|on24"
24"centers
centers
1111//22”" Certainteed
CertainTeed CertaPro Partition
Partition insulation
insulation

9
 Availability and
Technical Support
CertainTeed offers fiber glass insulation products for For more information about CertainTeed insulation
sale throughout the United States. The products are products, their availability and technical data
represented by the well-trained sales representatives regarding specific applications, contact your local
and sales management personnel of CertainTeed’s CertainTeed representative or call 800-233-8990.
Insulation Group.
CertainTeed fiber glass insulation products are
produced at five plants and shipped nationwide from
Web Sites
those plants as well as three distribution centers. For more information, visit these helpful web sites:
www.mysoundchek.com
www.naima.org

CertainTeed Corporation, P.O. Box 860, Valley Forge, PA 19482

1-800-233-8990
Visit our web site at: http://www.certainteed.com • Fax-on-Demand service: 1-800-947-0057
Customer Service 1-800-441-6720 • Fax 1-800-799-2381
CertainTeed was the first fiber glass insulation manufacturer to have all its manufacturing plants, R&D center
and corporate headquarters registered to ISO 9000 standards.

A Saint-Gobain Company

Code No. 30-28-008 Printed in USA © 2002 CertainTeed Corporation 11/02