What Can I do about sound in a duplex with thin walls?

[Marc Shin]

Hello - I have a side-by-side duplex that i'm converting into an STR. I noticed that the walls are somewhat thin and when I'm sitting in one of the units I can hear some noises from the other unit. Is this a problem? Should I install some sound dampening panels on the walls to reduce the noises from the other unit? Help!

[Mike Grudzien]

Marc,
If you can hear noises, Guests can hear noises.  
Guests provide revenue and guest provide Reviews. 
Connect the dots and get those panels. 
Perhaps on both sides.
My 2 cents,
Mike

[Bruce Woodruff]

Stay there one night and test it yourself. IF it is a real problem, then yes, fix it.

I would build a fir-in wall out of 2x2s and insulate it heavily (Rockwool comes to mind https://www.rockwool.com/north-america/) There is also drywall that is made for this.

[John Underwood]

Yes it's a huge problem.

You should fix this correctly now.

Open the walls and put in proper sound reducing insulation.

[Shannon Strickland]

I previously researched solutions for a similar sound problem where I could not open the walls, but I still have not solved the problem. A solution company that intrigues me is Acoustimac.

[Michael Baum]

Hey @Marc Shin, what you can do is add a second layer of drywall over the first. This will keep you from having to tear it all out and making a mess. A good drywall guy can hang and finish it in less than a day easily.

But what you need to do is put a bunch of Green Glue between the sheets.

When hanging, the contractor will spread the Green Glue on the new panels in a random pattern with a caulking gun. Then attach as per normal.

Green Glue is a product that is designed to reduce the transference of sound between rooms. It is usually used in conjunction with decoupling clips and the like for listening rooms, audio recording rooms and home theaters.

It is very effective in and of itself so it is something that can be done reasonably cheap without taking a ton of time.

https://www.greengluecompany.com/

[Andrew Steffens]

Yes, if it is that bad you will have constant headaches.  Definitely do what it takes to add some sound proofing.  Does not need to be perfectly soundproof but if it as bad as you allude to then you need to deal with it as soon as possible.

[Bruce Woodruff]

Quote from @Michael Baum:

Hey @Marc Shin, what you can do is add a second layer of drywall over the first. This will keep you from having to tear it all out and making a mess. A good drywall guy can hang and finish it in less than a day easily.

But what you need to do is put a bunch of Green Glue between the sheets.

When hanging, the contractor will spread the Green Glue on the new panels in a random pattern with a caulking gun. Then attach as per normal.

Green Glue is a product that is designed to reduce the transference of sound between rooms. It is usually used in conjunction with decoupling clips and the like for listening rooms, audio recording rooms and home theaters.

It is very effective in and of itself so it is something that can be done reasonably cheap without taking a ton of time.

https://www.greengluecompany.com/

 This ^^^^^^They also make sound deadening drywall, like QuietRock...