Acoustic Design Tips: Keeping Peace in Multi-Unit Homes

In today’s competitive housing market, multi-unit dwellings like duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes are growing in popularity across Ontario. But while they offer affordability and efficiency, these shared structures often come with a unique challenge: noise.

Whether you're a builder, a property investor, or a homeowner designing a shared-wall residence, acoustic design should never be an afterthought. With proper planning, you can dramatically reduce sound transfer between units and create homes where people feel calm, private, and comfortable.

In this article, we’ll break down key soundproofing techniques and design strategies that can help maintain peace in multi-unit homes.

Why Acoustic Design Matters

Noise is more than an annoyance—it affects quality of life. Poor sound separation in duplexes and townhomes can lead to:

• Sleep disturbances

• Lack of privacy

• Increased stress

• Lower resale value

If you're building or renovating a multi-unit home in Ontario, addressing acoustic performance early in the design process is the best way to protect property value and tenant satisfaction.

1. Shared Wall Construction: More Than Just Drywall

The number one culprit of noise in multi-unit homes is the shared wall, or party wall. The goal is to block airborne sound (like voices or TV noise) and reduce structure-borne sound (like footsteps or impact noise).

Here are some top practices:

✅ Double Stud Walls

Create two separate wall frames with an air gap between them. This prevents sound vibrations from transferring directly between units.

✅ Resilient Channels or Clips

These are mounted between the wall framing and drywall to decouple the surfaces and absorb vibration.

✅ Insulation

Use high-density acoustic batt insulation (such as mineral wool or fiberglass) inside the wall cavity to absorb sound energy.

✅ Mass-Loaded Vinyl (MLV)

Add MLV between layers of drywall to increase density and improve sound-blocking capability without bulk.

✅ Double Layer Drywall with Green Glue

Adding an extra layer of drywall with an acoustical compound like Green Glue significantly improves STC (Sound Transmission Class) ratings.

2. Floor and Ceiling Assemblies: Don’t Overlook Vertical Noise

In stacked multi-unit homes like triplexes or townhomes with vertical layouts, footfall noise and other vibrations can be a major issue.

Solutions include:

• Acoustic Underlayment: Use beneath flooring materials like laminate or hardwood.

• Soundproof Flooring Systems: Opt for floating floors with isolation membranes.

• Insulated Floor Cavities: Similar to walls, fill with acoustic insulation.

• Dropped Ceilings with Isolation Channels: Decouple ceiling drywall from the floor above.

For best results, combine multiple layers of defense—mass, decoupling, absorption, and damping.

3. Strategic Layout Planning

Smart design isn’t just about materials—it’s also about placement. Proper layout can reduce sound issues before construction even begins.

Try to:

• Align “quiet” rooms with other quiet rooms. For example, put bedrooms against bedrooms, not beside mechanical rooms or living areas.

• Avoid stacking kitchens or bathrooms over sleeping areas. Water lines and appliances generate sound that can travel easily.

• Position staircases and hallways away from shared walls to minimize impact noise.

At De Simone Designs, we create floor plans with acoustic comfort baked into the layout from day one.

4. Doors, Windows & Seals: Small Gaps, Big Impact

Sound easily leaks through even the smallest openings. Be sure to:

• Use solid core doors for shared entry points or connecting spaces.

• Install acoustic door sweeps and weatherstripping to block gaps.

• Use double- or triple-pane windows with tight seals, especially in high-density neighborhoods.

• Seal electrical boxes, HVAC ducts, and recessed lights in shared walls or ceilings with acoustic putty or backer boxes.

Every small upgrade helps to control airborne sound migration.

5. Acoustic Design for Value and Peace of Mind

In Ontario’s evolving housing landscape—especially in regions like Niagara Falls—noise mitigation is becoming a must-have feature. Well-soundproofed homes:

• Improve resale and rental appeal

• Reduce complaints and turnover in multi-unit investments

• Meet or exceed Ontario Building Code requirements (STC 50 for shared walls/floors)

And most importantly? They promote peaceful, dignified living—whether you're upstairs, downstairs, or next door.

Final Thoughts

A multi-unit home doesn’t have to mean noise, stress, or conflict. With expert planning and thoughtful execution, soundproofing becomes a natural part of the design—not a fix-it-later problem.

At De Simone Designs, we help homeowners and developers create quiet, efficient, and code-compliant multi-unit residences across Ontario. From zoning support to layout planning and construction-ready drawings, we’re your partner in smart design.

📞 Let’s build quiet homes together. Contact De Simone Designs today to start designing a peaceful multi-unit residence that prioritizes comfort, value, and privacy.