A triple leaf partition has two air cavities rather than the typical one air cavity. Similarly, a quadruple leaf partition has three air cavities. Triple and quadruple leafs are most often created when constructing a new wall in front of an existing wall. The other common ways include installing Hush isolation sound clips or resilient channel over existing drywall. This applies to both walls and ceilings alike. A leaf in a partition is a solid layer, like drywall or plywood…
The drawings above show single leaf (no air cavity), double leaf (like most assemblies), triple leaf, and quadruple leaf assemblies, both clipped and standard framing. It is necessary to remember that two layers of drywall directly against each other still only count as one leaf because there is no air cavity between the layers. In the sketch below we show again double through quadruple leaf walls, but this time they all have the same number of drywall layers.
It is not illogical to presume that the quadruple leaf wall on the far right would have the best sound isolation. After all, the sound has to go through drywall, air space, drywall, air space, drywall, air space, and then again drywall, often with insulation within each air space. In a double leaf wall, the sound has to make it through only one air space. While it makes sense that the quadruple or triple leaf assemblies are better than double leaf assemblies, it is, unfortunately, not the case.
Testing For Common Walls With Multiple Leafs
The STC values shown above for the common framing assemblies are from a series of tests commissioned by Owens Corning and Sound isolation clips. While STC does not tell the entire story, it is clear that the triple leaf and quadruple leaf assemblies should be avoided whenever possible.
Testing For Clipped Assemblies With Multiple Leafs
The STC values shown above for the Sound Isolation Clip assemblies are the results of independent tests. The performance loss created by the retrofit clip installation was significant, but lessened by insulating the space between the existing drywall and new drywall with an R-8 insulation. The retrofit performance would have been much lower without the extra insulation.
Share Blog:
Sharing is caring! Courtesy of IsoStore