What type housewrap as most are not "waterproof"?

Thanks for the replies and the contractor said the housewrap they use is waterproof from the outside but allows vapor to escape from the inside.

I spoke with a rep at the company that makes the Homasote sound board and he said that it can hold up to exposure to water without any issues. He said it has been used in outdoor applications for 100 years. He felt that best way to dampen sound from the outside would be to put a layer of the 1/2" Homasote sound board over the plywood that is under the siding now and then add a 1/2" layer of plywood over the top of the sound board. This would create what he termed - constrained layer dampening. He said without the sandwich layering and only putting the Homasote over the existing plywood under the siding, there would be a smaller reduction in sound due to extensional dampening.

I am planning to go with the Homasote sound board even though it does not have a sound reduction rating like the SilveRboard. From what I know of STC ratings, they are not clear cut and depending on the frequencies tested, it can be like comparing apples to oranges when comparing sound ratings of different products. I don't see how a 1.5 lb foam board like SilveRboard can dampen sound as well as the 38 lb Homasote sound board, but don't know enough to say for certain.

I am not expecting miracles in sound reduction but thinking that since I am replacing the siding, this is my one chance to put something underneath to help. I can change the windows after it there isn't the improvement I am looking for. My lower level is brick sided with the same brand windows and it is much quieter than my upper aluminum sided level. I appreciated the input and any additional comments.

It this were me, I would put mineral wool insulation on outside instead... Probably cheaper too.

Thanks and I will look into the mineral wool insulation products.

David I’m having the same noise issue and am looking at replacing siding. Since having yours replaced have you seen any reduction in noise with the products you used?

The foil only works as a radiant barrier if there's an air space in front of it. I would not trust any information from Homasote. I would not trust any builder to install an unnamed house wrap. Insist on Tyvek or Typar and monitor the installation. For exterior noise abatement consider mass loaded vinyl products and landscape barriers.To get specific recommendations describe the wall construction and nature of the exterior noise. There are no simple rule of thumb solutions.

To Staciej,

I haven't gone ahead yet. It was very hectic this year with covid and contractors so decided to wait til 2021.

To RES2,

Thank you for the post. I settled on Tyvek and the type of noise is traffic noise from a major road that our house backs up to. I have a tall fence and large evergreens that do help some. Right now my walls are aluminum siding on the outside and drywall on the inside. Not sure what is in between but the house is a standard subdivision home built in 1978. I looked into mass loaded vinyl and my take away is that it is used from the inside. I want to do what I can from the oustide while I have the chance while the siding is being redone. Any suggestions will be appreciatedl.

Hey David! Thanks for sharing! I have on vinyl siding, drywall, 4” walls, a 4” fence, some trees and new triple pane windows and the noise is just obnoxious. i met with an architect who told me I could pump in foam insulation, that is likely my next route. Ive also considered putting in another layer of drywall on the inside that is the special sound blocking. I would think their recommendation to install the foam board outside would be about the same as the extra layer of drywall on the inside. Before I invest thousands I’d like to find out what kinds of things may work best. I also got a quote on a window insert. The guy said they wouldn’t do much since I already have triple pane. You’re on the right track of doing it while you’re getting new siding, wish I would’ve done that! I definitely wouldve looked into what you’re doing or the foam. Let me know how it ends for you! Hopefully with more peace and quiet. I’ll keep you posted on what ends up happening here! thanks again!

Foam of any kind is unlikely to help much with the sound issue.

Mass Loaded Vinyl can be used on the exterior side of the wall and on fences. Check out the details from the naufacturers.

If the noise is from traffic a low solid wall will deflect wheel noise and a MLV fence can be above that. MLV fences can even have landscape images on them.

Acoustibloc

I don't know what happened to my post but all I wanted to say was that foam will do little for sound reduction. Try AcoustiBloc fencing or find a way to add it to the exterior of the wall.

Also a fence should be solid for the bottom couple of feet (imagine a sight line from the traffic wheels to the top of your windows.)

Great information RES2, thank you for sharing that! The problem with fencing is that my home is two stories and it’s like the sound echoes up and hits my home at just the right spot, my master bedroom, so I couldn’t have fencing that high. But I could add to the existing wall outside. Do you recommend adding under current siding?

@Dave Adams, did you finish your siding/soundproofing project, and if so, how did it turn out? We're taking on a siding project this summer, and with noisy neighbors (barking dogs), want to find something that helps. Thanks!