Is the Sound Insulation of Container Movable Houses Good?

The original sound insulation effect of container movable houses is relatively poor, but it can be significantly improved through targeted treatments. Their original structure is mainly composed of metal sheets, which have limited sound insulation capabilities. The measured noise level is about 40 decibels (dB), close to the noise level in a typical office environment, making it difficult to meet the requirements for a quiet living or working environment. However, through systematic sound insulation renovations, the sound insulation effect can be improved to 30-35 dB, reaching the sound insulation standard of conventional residential buildings. Here are the specific improvement plans and principles:

1. Wall Sound Insulation Enhancement

The original container walls are made of single-layer color-coated steel sheets, through which sound waves can easily propagate via metal vibrations. During renovation, a composite structure of "color-coated steel sheet + rock wool core material (100mm) + gypsum board + sound insulation cotton" is adopted:

• Rock wool core material: Rock wool with a density of 80-120 kg/m³ has a porous structure that can absorb medium- and high-frequency sound waves and reduce sound reflections;
• Gypsum board: As a damping layer, it consumes sound energy through its own vibrations and provides an installation base for the subsequent sound insulation cotton;
• Sound insulation cotton: Glass wool or polyester fiber cotton is selected and filled between the gypsum board and the color-coated steel sheet to further block the transmission of sound waves.
  Tests have shown that this structure can increase the sound insulation capacity of the walls to 45-50 dB, effectively blocking external noise from traffic and construction.

2. Door and Window Sealing Optimization

Doors and windows are weak points for sound insulation and need to be improved in terms of materials and sealing:

• Thermal-break aluminum double-glazed windows: Thermal-break aluminum profiles block heat conduction through thermal insulation strips. At the same time, the double-glazed windows with an air gap of 6-12 mm use the air layer to block sound waves. Combined with double-layer glass with a total thickness of 12-15 mm, they can reduce noise by 20-25 dB;
• Sealing strips: Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber sealing strips are selected and filled between the window frames and glass, and between the door frames and door panels, forming an elastic sealing layer to prevent sound waves from penetrating through gaps.

3. Floor and Roof Sound Insulation Treatment

• Floor: A 5mm thick rubber sound insulation pad is laid. Its elasticity can absorb low-frequency noise such as footsteps and equipment vibrations. Then, a 12mm thick composite floor is covered on top, forming a "soft-hard" combined sound insulation layer;
• Roof: A 50mm thick rock wool board is installed on top of the original color-coated steel sheet, and a 1mm thick sound insulation felt is covered on the surface. Through the triple effects of "sound absorption - damping - sound insulation", it reduces high-frequency noise such as raindrop impacts and aircraft noise.

Post-renovation Effects

After comprehensive treatment, the indoor noise level of container movable houses can be stably controlled at 30-35 dB, equivalent to the quiet level of a bedroom at night. It meets the requirements of the "Code for Sound Insulation Design of Civil Buildings" (GB 50118-2010), which stipulates that the daytime noise level in living spaces should be ≤ 45 dB and the nighttime noise level should be ≤ 35 dB. It is suitable for scenarios such as offices, dormitories, and temporary residences.