Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
Walls and ceilings are rated according to their sound-transfer performance. The key rating is called an “STC,” short for Sound Transmission Class. This rates the barrier’s ability to block or muffle voices and similar sounds; the higher the number, the more effectively the barrier buffers sound.
A less frequently used rating, the “IIC” (Impact Insulation Class), rates a wall or floor’s transference of impact noises, such as bumps and knocks. An IIC rating of 50 or higher is considered acceptable.
For residential partition walls, recommended STCs depend on the particular type of room: For bedrooms, an STC of 40 is considered good, 45–55 is very good, and above 55 is excellent. Living rooms should be a couple of points higher, and bathrooms and kitchens should be up to 5 points higher. Keep in mind that conventionally built partition walls have poor STC ratings of 15–35, so consult with your contractor if you are remodeling or planning new construction.
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