How to Build a Quiet Wall

Locate the studs in the adjacent walls with a stud finder. These studs provide support for the quiet wall.

Measure two sections of 2-by-4 pressure-treated lumber to the length of the wall with a measuring tape. Cut the sections to length with a circular saw to form the top and bottom plates of the wall.

Measure the distance between the subfloor and the ceiling. Lay the bottom and top plates on their 2-inch edges so that the distance between the outer faces of the plates is equal to the distance between the subfloor and the ceiling.

Cut sections of 2-by-4 lumber to the interior distance between the top and bottom plates. These sections form the quiet wall studs. Lay one stud between the plates at each end, and additional studs at 16-inch intervals between the end studs.

Drill pilot holes through the bottom and top plates into the ends of each stud. The pilot holes should be about 1/16-inch smaller than the wood screw shafts. Insert and tighten a 4-inch wood screw in each pilot hole with an electric screwdriver to secure the studs to the plates.

Check the corners of the wall frame with a carpenter's square to ensure that the frame is square. Stand the frame in place with the end studs against adjacent wall studs.

Drill pilot holes through the top plate, bottom plate and end studs at 4-inch intervals. Insert and tighten a 4-inch wood screw through each pilot hole to secure the frame to the subfloor, ceiling and adjacent wall studs.

Install drywall sheets on both sides of the quiet wall frame with drywall screws. Cut drywall sections as necessary with a utility knife to fit the wall frame. Tape the seams with drywall tape.

Apply drywall compound over the screw heads and drywall tape with a putty knife, and allow it to dry overnight. Sand the wall surfaces with a palm sander to smooth out the drywall compound.

Apply construction adhesive to the back of a sound-deadening acoustical tile. Press the tile onto the wall at one corner of the drywall. Continue installing tiles, ensuring that the edges fit tightly, until you have covered the drywall surface.