Noise through walls

[stockhatch]

I know that interior walls will be sheetrock and insulated most of the time, but how do log walls compare to conventional walls regarding sound deadning properties?

[mbailey]

Hi stockhatch,

I believe that log walls, due to their size are more sound proof that stick frame construction. When I was taking the class at Skip's house, it was raining very hard a times out side but you would not have known it unless you had looked out the window. Just as the density and thickness of the logs make a skip style home more energy effecient, they also do a great job with sound proofing.

Take care,

Mark

[stockhatch]

Thanks for that information. I was looking on the ILBA site and saw some technical PDF regarding the sound deadening properties of logs, but I couldnt make much sense of it. It seemed to have alot of words, but didnt say much.

[rreidnauer]

I'd have to agree. There's simply no fair comparison between stick framed/batt insulation vs. solid logs. I doubt you'd hear much even if a car drove into your log wall. Probably the only thing that would be more soundproof is straw bale construction with two layers of plaster.

I am considering what I'd like to do about interior walls. Where I live now, you can hear anything thats going on anywhere else in the house, with these empty studded walls and hollow core doors. I guess from a security standpoint, that's a good thing, because anyone who might break in, you'd hear 'em, and any unwanted guests in the house will hear me racking the slide on the 12 gauge and have second thoughts of sticking around. :twisted:

[stockhatch]

On that note, you could shoot them from an adjacent room...without getting out of bed even... :?

[Carmen]

I am considering what I'd like to do about interior walls. Where I live now, you can hear anything thats going on anywhere else in the house, with these empty studded walls and hollow core doors. I guess from a security standpoint, that's a good thing, because anyone who might break in, you'd hear 'em, and any unwanted guests in the house will hear me racking the slide on the 12 gauge and have second thoughts of sticking around. :twisted:

Have you looked into compressed straw panels for interior walls? That's on our list of possibilities.

[stockhatch]

Havent considered it. Sounds kinda flammable eh? LOL

[rreidnauer]

Actually, it's pretty dog-gone hard to burn. Look in the alternative construction forum, or google seach the subject. Very interesting stuff.