Acoustic Insulation: a Worthwhile Choice

Acoustic Insulation and Residential Well-Being

Renovating a home does not only mean making it more beautiful. A renovation project must also significantly enhance domestic comfort, prioritizing residential well-being. Every intervention should be oriented in this direction. However, a fundamental element, too often overlooked when discussing well-being, is acoustic insulation. Indeed, while thermal insulation is frequently discussed, acoustic insulation is much less considered. Yet, considering the acoustic insulation of our home is worthwhile from various perspectives.

All our daily activities are influenced by the sounds from the surrounding environment. Sleep, rest, or work could be severely affected by the most annoying noises. It becomes very difficult, indeed, to maintain concentration when hearing the noise from the street, the footsteps of neighbors, the loud television in the next room, or the din of a construction site in operation. However, proper acoustic insulation of our home can greatly help in this regard, significantly improving the quality of life for its inhabitants.

Acoustic Insulation Works

Acoustic insulation works come in various types and vary greatly depending on the client’s needs and the building being worked on. It is possible to install new, more efficient windows, sound-absorbing panels, partition walls, or proceed with cavity wall insulation, that is, filling walls with cavities. This type of masonry, known as “hollow wall,” is typical of many Italian buildings constructed between the 1960s and the late 1990s.

Recently, efforts have been made to decisively address the acoustic insulation of buildings. Italian regulations are clear in this regard. DPCM 5/12/1997: “Determination of passive acoustic requirements of buildings” requires new buildings to meet acoustic insulation limits. The same legislation has been extended to renovation works, as clarified by the Ministry of the Environment’s circular of July 8, 2020. However, the law does not stop there; it also provides significant bonuses and tax deductions for those undertaking acoustic insulation interventions.

Bonuses and Tax Incentives for Acoustic Insulation

Until 12/31/2022, such interventions will be facilitated with a 50% tax deduction over 10 years, for a maximum expenditure of €96,000. Additionally, thanks to the Relaunch Decree, it is possible to apply for the Acoustic Insulation Ecobonus, with a 110% tax deduction over 5 years. To obtain this bonus, however, the intervention must fall within a specific type of renovation, such as thermal insulation or climate control system interventions.

Acoustic insulation is also included in the 2022 tax deductions, being considered an eligible expense, as it is connected to improving the habitability performance of properties. However, to obtain these deductions, it is essential to certify the outcome of the work according to legal standards. The reduction in noise intensity must be measured by a competent technician. By relying on a specialized architectural firm, all these practices can be followed in every detail, both design and administrative-bureaucratic. If you wish to receive information on ideal renovation and acoustic insulation interventions for your home, do not hesitate to contact us.