Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: How to soundproof shared walls and floors/ceilings

[Michael Barrett (mbarrett]

>    On Jan. 27, Sharon Villines wrote:
>
>  I would like to hear from the construction wise among us who know how to
> create shared walls, floors, and ceilings so sound does not penetrate. 
> [end
> quote]

I am not an expert on construction, though I have done some.
Experientially however I have lived in a duplex with a double shared wall, 
i.e. two complete insulated fire rated drywall walls with an air space from 
foundation to roof  between them.  I presently live in a duplex with a 
cinder block shared wall with the drywall furstripped onto the cinder block. 
Presumeably the cinderblock construction must be substantially more 
expensive because the sound transmission is much much less, like I cannot 
tell if there is anyone home next door without checking the parking space or 
knocking on the door.
Perhaps someone who is construction cost aware can tell us the relative 
costs of the two approaches.

Michael Barrett
Shadowlake Village, Blacksburg, VA