STC Ratings for Walls
STC ratings for wood stud, metal stud, CMU, exterior , and decoupled wall assemblies. Includes lab-tested ranges, STC 50 targets, and field vs lab differences.
If you're looking to learn more about STC rating , you're likely planning a construction project, and it's probably not a tool shed. Sound transmission class ratings generally come up in places where we want to keep sound either in or out, like a sound studio, a road-facing exterior wall , or a bedroom above the garage.
What STC ratings really mean across walls , doors, and windows, the assemblies that hit common targets ( STC 35 to 60+), code minimums by building type, and the lab-to-field penalty that catches projects off guard.

Stc Ratings for Various Wall Assemblies
STC RATINGS FOR VARIOUS WALL ASSEMBLIES Below are the STC ratings of various wall assemblies, each presented to help illustrate concepts, improvements and rules of thumb. The estimated ratings are based on laboratory test results from various compendiums of STC ratings .
Shaft Wall Systems SHEETROCK Gypsum Liner Panels Submittal Sheet SA926 WB2278 Plaster Systems Veneer plaster partitions achieve up to 63 STC in steel-framed resilient systems and up to 52 STC in wood-framed resilient systems Have achieved 1- to 4-hr. fire-resistance ratings for veneer and conventional systems

Such details provide a deeper understanding and appreciation for Exterior Wall Stc Ratings.
What Is The Stc Of A Typical Exterior Wall
An STC rating of 45 can reduce a loud external noise of 100 decibels to approximately 55 decibels inside your home. ANSI/ASA S12. 60-2010 Part 1 requires an exterior wall rating of at least 45 for learning spaces within 3 meters of an exterior walkway. Standard house walls have a 33 STC rating , while studio-level soundproofing requires a rating of at least 45.
The STC rating of your exterior wall will vary somewhere between STC 35 to 45 depending on the exterior finish with an OITC rating of approximately 35. The STC rating of walls has to do with multiple variables. Things like the thickness and air space within the wall can improve the rating greatly.

Furthermore, visual representations like the one above help us fully grasp the concept of Exterior Wall Stc Ratings.
STC Wall Calculator
Use the STC Wall Calculator to estimate the Sound Transmission Class rating of a wall assembly based on drywall layers, insulation, stud type, spacing, resilient channel, and sound membranes.
Wondering how well your walls can block sound? Use our STC Rating Calculator to instantly estimate the Sound Transmission Class ( STC ) rating of your wall construction.