CTE-HR DB-HR requires Rw ≥50 dB between dwellings (post-2008 builds) or Rw ≥47 dB (1997-2008). In Mallorca most of the housing stock is pre-1997 and has Rw of 33-42 dB: acoustic insulation with a Placo Silence or Knauf Diamant lining is the most effective solution.
If you suffer neighbour noise, traffic or nightlife in Playa de Palma, Santa Ponça, central Palma or Magaluf, this guide sets out Placo/Knauf systems, €/m² prices and real results.
For the systems we install, see acoustic insulation in Mallorca.
Understanding Noise: Airborne vs Impact
Airborne noise (conversations, music, TV)
Travels through air and sets the partition vibrating. Measured per UNE-EN ISO 16283-1 as Rw (weighted value in dB). CTE-HR requires Rw ≥50 dB between dwellings.
A Placo Silence lining with double 13 + 13 mm board and Rockwool Alpharock 60 kg/m³ wool reaches Rw 52-58 dB, equivalent to a 24 cm solid-brick wall without the 240 kg/m² of weight.
Impact noise (footsteps, dragged furniture)
Travels through the solid structure. Measured as L'nT,w in dB (lower L'nT,w = better insulation). CTE-HR DB-HR requires L'nT,w ≤65 dB between dwellings.
Optimal solution: Rockwool 20 mm floating floor at source. From the affected flat: false ceiling with Sylomer SR 18 suspension (ΔL'nT,w -15 to -22 dB).
Most Common Acoustic Issues in Mallorca
1960-2008 housing stock with inadequate Rw
Pre-1997 (no NBE-CA or NBE-CA-88): 4-5 cm hollow-brick party walls, Rw 33-42 dB. Neighbourhoods: Santa Catalina, El Terreno, Pere Garau, Son Gotleu in Palma; old towns of Inca, Manacor, Sa Pobla.
1997-2008 (NBE-CA-88, mandatory Rw ≥45 dB, actual 42-47 dB): double-leaf party wall, 9 + 9 cm brick. Playa de Palma, S'Arenal, Magaluf, Palmanova.
Post-2008 (CTE-HR DB-HR, Rw ≥50 dB): party wall system with cavity and mineral wool.
Tourist noise and hospitality
Playa de Palma, S'Arenal, Magaluf and Santa Ponça: indoor nocturnal LAeq 45-55 dBA with windows closed (WHO sleep limit: 30 dBA). Santa Catalina and El Terreno: bars and terraces generate LAeq 58-68 dBA from 23:00-03:00 at weekends.
Holiday lets vs residents
ETV (vacation lets) in mixed communities: frequent acoustic conflicts. Councils like Palma enforce by-laws with LAeq 30 dBA bedroom / 35 dBA living room limits at 23:00-07:00.
Placo/Knauf Solutions with Prices
1. Party-wall acoustic lining
System A (NBE-CA): 48 mm chassis, 40 mm Isover Arena wool (40 kg/m³), 13 mm Placo Phonique board. ΔRw: +10-13 dB. €58-68/m².
System B (CTE-HR, recommended): 70 mm Placo Stil F 530 chassis with EPDM band, 60 mm Rockwool Alpharock (60 kg/m³, λ 0.035 W/m·K), double 13 + 13 mm Placo Phonique board. ΔRw: +15-18 dB (final Rw 50-55 dB). €72-85/m².
System C (box-in-box): Double independent chassis, 80 mm Alpharock wool (70 kg/m³), double Knauf Silentboard 17.5 + 12.5 mm board with 3 mm Acoustiblok membrane. ΔRw: +20-24 dB. €150-220/m².
More detail at drywall partitions in Mallorca.
2. Acoustic false ceiling
Knauf rigid suspension: cuts airborne (+8-12 dB) but not impact. €42-58/m².
Sylomer SR 18 anti-vibration suspension: ΔRw +12-15 dB, ΔL'nT,w -15 to -18 dB. 60 mm Isover wool + 15 mm Placo Phonique board. €62-78/m².
Sylomer SR 55 reinforced + Knauf Silentboard: ΔRw +16-20 dB, ΔL'nT,w -18 to -22 dB. €82-98/m².
More info at drywall false ceilings in Mallorca.
3. Rockwool/Regupol floating floor
Regupol Sonus Core 12-20 mm mat or Rockwool Floorrock 20 mm + self-levelling mortar. ΔL'nT,w -20 to -28 dB. €45-65/m² (excluding final flooring).
4. Box-in-box (studios, music rooms, flats next to premises)
Lining + Sylomer false ceiling + floating floor, all decoupled from the structure. Target Rw 65-75 dB, L'nT,w ≤45 dB. €150-220/m² full room. Requires an acoustic project per UNE-EN ISO 12354.
CTE-HR DB-HR: What It Requires in Mallorca
| Element | CTE-HR value |
|---|---|
| Between dwellings (Rw) | ≥50 dB |
| Dwelling-common area (Rw) | ≥50 dB |
| Dwelling-commercial premises (Rw) | ≥55 dB |
| Slab impact (L'nT,w) | ≤65 dB |
| Façade in noisy area (D2m,nT,Atr) | ≥37-42 dB |
Applies to post-2008 new builds and full refurbishments. Mallorca sits in climate zone B3 and standard CTE-HR acoustic range. Some councils (Palma, Calvià, Alcúdia) enforce stricter by-laws in tourist areas.
On-site reference tests: UNE-EN ISO 16283-1 (airborne) and UNE-EN ISO 16283-2 (impact).
Key Materials and Brands
High-density mineral wool
- Rockwool Alpharock 60-100 kg/m³, λ 0.035-0.040 W/m·K. Acoustic benchmark.
- Isover Arena 40-70 kg/m³, λ 0.034-0.037. Excellent all-round.
- Knauf Insulation Acoustifit 50-60 kg/m³.
Do not confuse with thermal wools of 20-30 kg/m³ (acoustic performance -30%).
Acoustic boards
- Placo Phonique 13 mm: high-density standard acoustic board.
- Knauf Silentboard 12.5/17.5 mm: special high-density acoustic board.
- Glasroc H Ocean (wet areas): hydrophobic acoustic board for bathrooms.
Anti-vibration bands and dampers
- 5 mm EPDM (tracks and junctions).
- Sylomer SR 18/SR 55 (anti-vibration ceiling suspension).
- Regupol Sonus Core (floating floor).
Viscoelastic membranes
Acoustiblok 3 mm or Tecsound FT 55: between double boards, convert vibration energy into heat. Effective at low frequencies (<250 Hz).
2026 Prices in Mallorca
Island prices: +12-18% over mainland average (sea freight + labour).
| Solution | €/m² | ΔRw / ΔL'nT,w |
|---|---|---|
| Acoustic material only (Alpharock wool) | 6 | - |
| Lining System A (NBE-CA) | 58-68 | +10-13 dB |
| Lining System B (CTE-HR) | 72-85 | +15-18 dB |
| Lining System C (box-in-box) | 150-220 | +20-24 dB |
| Knauf rigid false ceiling | 42-58 | +8-12 dB |
| Standard Sylomer false ceiling | 62-78 | -15 to -18 dB impact |
| Reinforced Sylomer false ceiling | 82-98 | -18 to -22 dB impact |
| Rockwool/Regupol floating floor | 45-65 | -20 to -28 dB impact |
Prices include materials and labour, VAT separate. Tailored estimate at the drywall price list for Mallorca or request a free quote.
Which Solution Do I Need? Quick Guide
Neighbour conversations (12 m² party wall): System B. €864-1,020. Final Rw 52-55 dB.
Footsteps from upstairs (20 m² ceiling): standard Sylomer false ceiling. €1,240-1,560. L'nT,w from 76 dB to 58-61 dB.
Bar/restaurant below (15 m² room): full box-in-box. €2,250-3,300. Dwelling-premises Rw ≥55 dB (CTE-HR).
Street traffic: façade lining (ΔRw +8-12 dB) + RPT double-glazed window 4+12+6 (Rw 32-36 dB). Integrated cost €2,500-4,500 for 15 m² room.
Studio/music room: box-in-box with acoustic project. €8,000-12,000 for 15 m² room. Target: Rw ≥65 dB, L'nT,w ≤45 dB.
Common Mistakes
1. Thermal wool instead of acoustic: 20-30 kg/m³ vs 60-70 kg/m³. Performance -30 to -40%.
2. Not sealing leakage points: 1 cm² unsealed on a 10 m² wall = -10 dB.
3. Chassis screwed to the wall without an EPDM band: kills the decoupling, -8 to -12 dB.
4. Treating only one wall: noise finds the untreated flank (flanking transmission through slab and perpendicular walls).
Real Case: Flat in El Terreno (Palma), 1968
Owner of an ETV (holiday apartment) with 3.8-star Airbnb rating due to noise complaints. Initial UNE-EN ISO 16283-1 measurement: party-wall Rw 32 dB, well below CTE-HR.
Executed solution (40 m² party wall):
- Placo Stil F 530 70 mm chassis + 5 mm EPDM band
- Rockwool Alpharock 60 mm (60 kg/m³)
- Double Placo Phonique 13 + 13 mm board, staggered joints
- Sika Acoustic perimeter seal
Results:
- Post Rw: 53 dB (ΔRw = +21 dB), meets CTE-HR
- Investment: €3,200 (€80/m²)
- Airbnb rating: from 3.8 to 4.6 stars in 4 months
- Nightly rate +€15: payback in under one season
Representative typology of Palma 1960-1975.
Next Step: Free Acoustic Assessment
Free UNE-EN ISO 16283-1 on-site measurement: current Rw, L'nT,w, ambient LAeq and leakage points. Technical proposal with target Rw and fixed quote.
Request your acoustic assessment or call 627 829 723.
