STC Ratings

Sound Transmission Class (STC) is a single-number rating of a material's or an assembly's ability to resist
airborne sound transfer at the frequencies 125-4000 Hz.

In general, a higher STC rating blocks more noise from transmitting through a partition

Flanking paths are the means for sound to transfer from one space to another other than through the
wall. Sound can flank over, under, or around a wall. Sound can also travel through common ductwork,
plumbing or corridors.

STC is highly dependent on the construction of the partition. A partition's STC can be increased by:

 Adding mass
o The weight or thickness of a partition is the major factor in its ability to block sound. For
example, a thick concrete wall will block more sound than a thin gypsum/2x4 wall. Mass
is commonly added to existing walls by adding additional layers of gypsum. When the
mass of a barrier is doubled, the isolation quality (or STC rating) increases by
approximately 5 dB, which is clearly noticeable.
 Increasing or adding air space
o An air space within a partition can also help to increase sound isolation. This, in effect
creates two independent walls. However, the STC will be much less than the sum of the
STC for the individual walls. The airspace can be increased or added to an existing
partition. A common way to add an airspace is with resilient channels and a layer of
gypsum. An airspace of 1 ½" will improve the STC by approximately 3 dB. An air space of
3" will improve the STC by approximately 6 dB. An airspace of 6" will improve the STC by
approximately 8 dB.
 Adding absorptive material within the partition
o Sound absorptive material can be installed inside of a partition's air space to further
increase its STC rating. Installing insulation within a wall or floor/ceiling cavity will
improve the STC rating by about 4-6 dB, which is clearly noticeable. It is important to
note that often times, specialty insulations do not perform any better than standard batt
insulation.

General rules of thumb for controlling noise between spaces:

 A wall must extend to the structural deck in order to achieve optimal isolation. Walls extending
only to a dropped ceiling will result in inadequate isolation.
 Sound will travel through the weakest structural elements, which, many times, are doors,
windows or electrical outlets.
 When the mass of a barrier is doubled, the isolation quality (or STC rating) increases by
approximately 5 dB, which is clearly noticeable.
 Installing insulation within a wall or floor/ceiling cavity will improve the STC rating by about 4-6
dB, which is clearly noticeable.
 Often times, specialty insulations do not perform any better than standard batt insulation.
 Metal studs perform better than wood studs. Staggering the studs or using dual studs can
provide a substantial increase in isolation.
 Increasing air space in a wall or window assembly will improve isolation.
 Changes in STC Rating Changes in Apparent Loudness
+/- 1 Almost imperceptible
+/- 3 Just perceptible
+/- 5 Clearly noticeable
+/- 10 Twice (or half) as loud

The STC rating is based on performance with frequencies from 125 to 4000 Hertz (the speech
frequencies). The rating provides no evaluation of the barrier's ability to block low frequency noise, such
as the bass in music or the noise of some mechanical equipment.

RECOMMENDED RATINGS

In general, loud speech can be understood fairly well through an STC 30 wall but should not be audible
through an STC 60 wall. An STC of 50 is a common building standard and blocks approximately 50 dB
from transmitting through the partition. However, occupants could still be subject to awareness, if not
understanding, of loud speech. Constructions with a higher STC (as much as 10dB better - STC 60)
should be specified in sensitive areas where sound transmission is a concern.

The Uniform Building Code (UBC) contains requirements for sound isolation for dwelling units in Group-R
occupancies (including hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums, monasteries and convents).

UBC requirements for walls: STC rating of 50 (if tested in a laboratory) or 45 (if tested in the field*).

UBC requirements for floor/ceiling assemblies: STC ratings of 50 (if tested in a laboratory) or 45 (if tested
in the field*).
* The field test evaluates the dwelling's actual construction and includes all sound paths.

An assembly rated at STC 50 will satisfy the building code requirement. However, as mentioned above,
occupants could still be subject to awareness, if not understanding, of loud speech. Therefore, it is
typically argued that luxury accommodations require a more stringent design goal.

STC RATINGS FOR MASONRY WALLS

STC ratings for masonry/CMU walls is based on weight of the block and whether the cells are filled or not
and what material it is filled with.

Estimated STC Ratings for CMU Walls

Hollow Units Grout Filled Sand Filled
Wall Thickness, in.
Weight STC Weight STC Weight STC
4 20 44 38 47 32 46
6 32 46 63 51 50 49
8 42 48 86 55 68 52
10 53 50 109 60 86 55

The STC rating of a CMU wall can be estimated based on its weight using the following formula:
STC = 0.18W + 40
where W = pounds per square foot (psf)
STC RATINGS FOR VARIOUS WALL ASSEMBLIES

1. Insulation will noticeably improve the STC rating of an assembly.

Estimated STC
Description Wall Assembly
Rating

3 5/8" metal studs, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total), No

38 - 40
insulation

3 5/8" metal studs, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total), Batt

43 - 44
insulation

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2. Staggered or double stud walls are higher rated than single stud walls.
Description Estimated STC Rating Wall Assembly

2x4 stud, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total),

34 - 39
Batt insulation

Staggered studs, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total),

46 - 47
Batt insulation

2x4 studs, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total),

56 - 59
Batt insulation

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3. Metal stud walls perform better than wood stud walls.

(NOTE: This only applies to single stud assemblies. For double stud assemblies, there is virtually no
difference.)
Estimated STC
Description Wall Assembly
Rating

2x4 stud, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total), Batt insulation 34 - 39

3 5/8" metal studs, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total), Batt

43 - 44
insulation

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4. Resilient channel can improve the STC rating of an assembly.

(NOTE: These ratings are based on laboratory tests. Because of the special care required when installing
resilient channels, actual results could be substantially lower.)
Estimated STC
Description Wall Assembly
Rating

2x4 stud, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total), Batt insulation 34 - 39

2x4 stud, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total), Resilient

45 - 52
Channel, Batt insulation

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5. Adding additional layers of drywall can improve the STC rating of an assembly.
Estimated STC
Description Wall Assembly
Rating

2x4 stud, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total), Batt

34 - 39
insulation

2x4 stud, 5/8" gyp (3 layers total), Batt

39 - 40
insulation

2x4 stud, 5/8" gyp (4 layers total), Batt

43 - 45
insulation

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6. Drywall between double studs can dramatically reduce the STC rating of an assembly.
Estimated STC
Description Wall Assembly
Rating

2x4 studs, 5/8" gyp (4 layers total), Batt

44 - 45
insulation

2x4 studs, 5/8" gyp (2 layers total), Batt

56 - 59
insulation
2x4 studs,5/8" gyp (3 layers total), Batt
59 - 60
insulation

2x4 studs, 5/8" gyp (4 layers total), Batt

58 - 63
insulation