We’ve all experienced the annoying effects of noise pollution. Highway traffic, passing trains and airplanes, rowdy neighbors, the list of potential disturbances is endless. The increase in commuter traffic and urbanization has led to a rise in sound pollution impacting nearby residences. Excessive noise can interfere with daily sleep and relaxation, and over time can cause fatigue, headaches, stress and even hypertension.

As a result, contractors, architects and homeowners are seeking ways to contain interior acoustics and block out exterior noises in homes. By soundproofing a structure, you protect tenants from irritating noise and allow them to enjoy a more private, comfortable house.

Sound Dampening with Insulated Concrete Forms

Sound dampening the exterior walls of a home is essential for the health and well-being of its occupants, but it is not easy to achieve with typical wood-frame construction. Using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) to build a home sound-proofs the structure almost immediately.

According to ICF Builder Magazine, those who live in ICF homes list sound attenuation as one of the most appreciated benefits. In fact, more than 60% of ICF homeowners surveyed mentioned the quietness of their homes, versus only 2% of their wood frame counterparts.

Tracey Roach, an ICF homeowner in Kentucky, noted that even with her musician son playing instruments in the house, the noise doesn't carry to the other rooms.

A sound transmission class (STC) rating, measured in decibels (dB), assesses how much sound passes through a material. Nudura’s insulated concrete wall system with a 6-inch concrete core provides an STC rating of 52. In comparison, traditional 2x4 wood stud walls with fiberglass insulation have an STC rating of about 38. See the table below to compare the audible noise that can pass through different STC levels.

Aside from the privacy and comfort that noise control offers, soundproofing can also enhance cognitive functioning, productivity and creativity. By building or purchasing a home with Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms, occupants will enjoy the built-in sound dampening, plus all the other benefits that come with an environment free of noise pollution and unnecessary distractions.

In addition to the soundproofing advantages, an ICF home also delivers continuous insulation and energy conservation which cuts monthly utility bills. In fact, homeowners of ICF-built homes can benefit from upwards of a 60% reduction in heating and cooling costs. On top of that, Insulated Concrete Form walls are disaster-resilient, meaning they can withstand winds and flying debris during severe weather. Imagine a tornado-proof or hurricane-proof house that is both extremely quiet and durable in the midst of a storm.

Whether a home is located in an area prone to natural disasters or not, a house built with ICFs will be safe and soundproof for generations.

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