CTE DB-HR §2.1 requires DnT,A ≥50 dB between dwellings (post-2008 builds, equivalent to lab Rw ≥50 dB) and Rw ≥47 dB for 1997-2008 buildings. In Mallorca most of the housing stock is pre-1997 and has Rw of 33-42 dB: acoustic insulation with a BA13 12.5 mm UNE-EN 520 board lining (Placo Phonique, Placo Diamant or Knauf Diamant) is the most effective solution.
If you suffer neighbour noise, traffic or nightlife in Casc Antic, Santa Catalina, El Molinar, Es Molinar, Pere Garau (Palma), Cala Major, Magaluf, Santa Ponsa, Portals Nous, Bendinat (Calvià) or Port d'Alcúdia, this guide sets out Placo/Knauf systems, €/m² prices and real results. Plaquistas y Acabados SL has delivered more than 6,000 projects since 2004, with 508 projects in 2025 alone (~254 acoustic per year).
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 on site per UNE-EN ISO 16283-1 as DnT,A (in dB). DB-HR §2.1 requires DnT,A ≥50 dB between dwellings; Rw is the laboratory value of the build-up.
A decoupled lining with double BA13 12.5 mm UNE-EN 520 board (Placo Phonique + Placo Diamant) and Rockwool Alpharock 60 kg/m³ wool reaches Rw 52-58 dB, and once installed typically delivers 48-52 dB DnT,A measured on site after decoupling — 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). DB-HR §2.1 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: Casc Antic, Santa Catalina, El Terreno, Pere Garau, Son Gotleu, El Molinar and Es Molinar in Palma; Cala Major; old towns of Inca, Manacor, Sa Pobla and Port d'Alcúdia.
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, Santa Ponsa, Portals Nous, Bendinat.
Post-2008 (CTE DB-HR §2.1, DnT,A ≥50 dB on site): party wall system with cavity and mineral wool, also required in full refurbishments.
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): CW48 chassis, 40 mm Isover Arena wool (40 kg/m³), BA13 12.5 mm UNE-EN 520 Placo Phonique board. ΔRw: +10-13 dB. €58-68/m².
System B (CTE-HR, recommended): CW70 / Placo Stil F 530 chassis with Knauf KGT/KGN elastic band under track, 60 mm Rockwool Alpharock (60 kg/m³, λ 0.035 W/m·K), double BA13 12.5 mm UNE-EN 520 board (Placo Phonique + Placo Diamant) and resilient perimeter tape. ΔRw: +15-18 dB (final Rw 50-55 dB; 48-52 dB DnT,A measured on site after decoupling). €72-85/m².
System C (box-in-box): Double independent CW70 chassis, 80 mm Alpharock wool (70 kg/m³), double Knauf Silentboard 17.5 + 12.5 mm UNE-EN 520 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: F47 framing on direct hangers, cuts airborne (+8-12 dB) but not impact. €42-58/m².
Sylomer SR 18 anti-vibration suspension: F47 framing on Knauf KGN/Sylomer dampers, 60 mm Isover Arena wool + BA13 UNE-EN 520 board. ΔRw +12-15 dB, ΔL'nT,w -15 to -18 dB. €62-78/m².
Sylomer SR 55 reinforced + Knauf Silentboard: F530 decoupled framing, double 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 section | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Between dwellings (DnT,A) | DB-HR §2.1 | ≥50 dB |
| Dwelling-common area (DnT,A) | DB-HR §2.1 | ≥50 dB |
| Dwelling-commercial premises (DnT,A) | DB-HR §2.1 | ≥55 dB |
| Slab impact (L'nT,w) | DB-HR §2.1 | ≤65 dB |
| Façade in noisy area (D2m,nT,Atr) | DB-HR §2.1 | ≥37-42 dB |
| Dwelling-premises fire sectorisation | DB-SI §3.2 | EI-30 to EI-120 |
| Mallorca thermal envelope | DB-HE §3 | Climate zone B3 |
Applies to post-2008 new builds and full refurbishments. Mallorca sits in climate zone B3 (DB-HE §3) and standard CTE-HR acoustic range. Some councils (Palma, Calvià, Alcúdia) enforce stricter by-laws in tourist areas. On dwelling-to-premises party walls it is best to solve DB-HR (acoustic) and DB-SI §3.2 (EI-30 to EI-120 fire sectorisation per use) in a single intervention, with BA13 type F fire-rated board + mineral wool.
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
All certified BA13 12.5 mm UNE-EN 520:
- Placo Phonique 13 mm: high-density standard acoustic board.
- Placo Diamant 12.5 mm: high-density, high surface-hardness board; typical second leaf in double-board systems.
- Knauf Silentboard 12.5/17.5 mm: special high-density acoustic board.
- Glasroc H Ocean (wet areas): hydrophobic acoustic board for bathrooms.
Metal framing (UNE-EN 14195)
- CW48 (U-track + stud): basic linings and partitions.
- CW70 / Placo Stil F 530: decoupled acoustic linings.
- F47: false-ceiling main runners.
- F530: reinforced runners for decoupled false ceilings.
Anti-vibration bands and dampers
- Knauf KGT / KGN elastic band and 5 mm EPDM under track and at junctions.
- Sylomer SR 18/SR 55 (anti-vibration ceiling suspension).
- Regupol Sonus Core (floating floor).
- Resilient perimeter tape along the full perimeter of the lining.
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: +10-20% over mainland average due to sea freight via the port of Palma and local distribution (internal data from Plaquistas y Acabados SL across 254 acoustic projects/year).
| 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).
Typological Pattern: 1960-1975 Apartments in El Terreno and Palma
In holiday apartments (ETV) with repeated noise complaints on platforms (low ratings for acoustic comfort), initial UNE-EN ISO 16283-1 measurements on 4 cm hollow-brick party walls usually fall in the DnT,A 32-38 dB range, well below DB-HR §2.1 (≥50 dB).
Common typological solution (party wall):
- CW70 / Placo Stil F 530 chassis + Knauf KGT 5 mm elastic band under track
- Rockwool Alpharock 60 mm (60 kg/m³)
- Double BA13 12.5 mm UNE-EN 520 board (Placo Phonique + Placo Diamant), staggered joints
- Sika Acoustic perimeter seal with resilient tape
Typical results:
- DnT,A after decoupling: 48-52 dB (Rw 53-58 dB on systems), meets DB-HR §2.1
- Indicative cost for 40 m² of party wall: €3,000-3,600 (€75-90/m²)
- Common improvement in platform ratings: +0.5 to +0.8 points over a season
- Average compatible nightly rate uplift: €10-20
Representative typology of Palma 1960-1975, replicated in flats in Casc Antic, Santa Catalina, El Molinar, Es Molinar and Pere Garau, as well as in Cala Major and apartments in Magaluf, Santa Ponsa, Portals Nous and Bendinat (Calvià).
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.
