Sound and Thermal Insulation: From Luxury to Essential Necessity in Modern Saudi Homes

Introduction: When Your Home's Walls Become Your Enemy

Imagine returning exhausted from a long workday, seeking a moment of peace and tranquility in your home. Instead, you hear every movement from your neighbors, and feel summer's heat seeping through from every direction despite your AC running at maximum capacity. This painful scenario has become a daily reality for millions of Saudis, especially in ownership apartments in new neighborhoods!

The numbers are shocking: More than 54% of Saudi homes lack proper thermal insulation, and electricity bills increased by 6% in 2025 alone. As for noise, "sound transmission between apartments" has become one of the leading causes of neighbor disputes and real estate complaints.

In this comprehensive guide, we reveal how to transform your home from an "energy drain and source of disturbance" into an "oasis of peace and comfort," whether you're building a new home or seeking solutions for your existing one.

First: The Sound Privacy Crisis - When Your Home Becomes an Open Book

With the massive expansion in ownership apartment projects and residential buildings, a serious problem has emerged that many didn't expect: the absence of sound privacy! Thin shared walls and poor floor and ceiling insulation have turned neighbors' lives into an open book everyone can read.

What Can Your Neighbors Hear From You?

In poorly insulated buildings, neighbors can hear: your private family conversations, TV and music sounds, children's footsteps and running, household appliance noise like washers and vacuums, and even your mobile phone ringtone! This situation doesn't just strike at the concept of privacy; its impact extends to your mental and physical health.

Impact of Noise on Your Mental and Physical Health

The World Health Organization ranked noise second after air pollution among environmental threats to public health! Continuous exposure to noise causes: high blood pressure, chronic anxiety and depression, loss of ability to sleep deeply, difficulty concentrating and decreased productivity, and constant feelings of stress, frustration, and anger.

Second: Thermal Insulation - The Battle for Survival Against Electricity Bills

In the Kingdom's extremely hot environment, where temperatures exceed 45 degrees Celsius in summer in many areas, thermal insulation becomes not a luxury but an economic and health necessity. A poorly insulated home becomes an "energy drain" that depletes your budget month after month.

Shocking Energy Consumption Numbers

The Kingdom recorded a record residential electrical energy consumption of 161.2 thousand gigawatt-hours during 2025 - enough to power a country the size of Lebanon for two full years! Riyadh alone consumed 45 thousand gigawatt-hours, or 28% of total national consumption.

The main reason? More than half of homes lack proper thermal insulation! Good thermal insulation contributes to reducing monthly electricity bills by up to 50% when implementing the best insulation methods!

Saudi Building Code Requires Insulation

Thermal insulation has become mandatory in the Kingdom under the Saudi Building Code (601-602). No new building will receive electrical connection without submitting a thermal insulation certificate! The code requires external walls to be 35 cm thick, consisting of two walls: the first 15 cm block, the middle 10 cm insulation, and the second 10 cm block.

Third: Technical Solutions - During Construction (The Radical Solution)

Types of Insulated Blocks

1. Siporex Block

Lightweight block made from autoclaved aerated concrete. Features a heat resistance coefficient of up to 66% for 30 cm thickness, and high ease of installation and cutting. Price: approximately 2.5 SAR per unit.

2. Volcanic Insulated Block

An insulating material in itself due to its natural composition from volcanic rocks. Comes at 20 cm thickness with integrated internal insulation. Price: approximately 6 SAR per unit.

3. Double Wall System with Rockwool

The optimal solution for both sound and thermal insulation! Consists of outer wall (15 cm) + insulated gap with rockwool (10 cm) + inner wall (10 cm). Provides high efficiency in thermal insulation and excellently prevents sound transmission.

Common Thermal Insulation Materials

Rockwool: Natural material made from melting volcanic rocks. Resists high heat and is fire-resistant. Provides excellent sound insulation in addition to thermal insulation. Price: 5-7 SAR per square meter.

Polyurethane Foam: Distinguished by its light weight and ease of installation. Provides highly efficient thermal insulation and is an ideal choice for roofs and walls.

Polystyrene: Closed-cell insulators that reduce thermal conductivity. Available in two types: expanded (white) and extruded (blue/pink). Economical and lightweight.

Fourth: Remedial Solutions for Existing Buildings

1. Sound-Insulating Gypsum Board Panels

Acoustic gypsum panels are manufactured at higher density than regular panels with special additives that increase their ability to absorb sound waves. They're installed in a double system with an air gap between them, filled with rockwool or fiberglass. Result: reducing sound transmission by 45-52 decibels depending on thickness!

2. Double and Triple Glazing Windows

Did you know that 25% of heat loss from a poorly sealed home comes from windows? Double glazing windows effectively solve this problem!

Double Glazing: Consists of two layers of glass separated by a gap filled with argon insulating gas. Saves up to 30% of heat compared to regular windows. Prevents heat flow from outside to inside in summer and vice versa in winter. Provides sound insulation reducing noise by 25-30 decibels.

Triple Glazing: Consists of three glass layers with two insulating gaps. Provides much better insulation and is ideal for extremely hot or cold areas and crowded high-noise areas.

3. Simple and Effective Solutions

Carpets and Rugs: Work to absorb sound and reduce its impact, effectively preventing sound transmission between floors.

Heavy Curtains: Curtains designed for sound insulation are a smart, economical solution and also help with thermal insulation.

Solid Doors: Doors made of sturdy wood or solid materials are distinguished by their great ability to absorb sounds and prevent their transmission.

Fifth: Return on Investment - Realistic Numbers

Let's calculate together: If the monthly electricity bill is 1,000 SAR, and thermal insulation saves 40% of it:

Monthly savings: 400 SAR. Annual savings: 4,800 SAR. If insulation cost is 25,000 SAR, the payback period is about 5 years. After that, savings become pure profit for the building's lifetime!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is thermal insulation mandatory in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, thermal insulation has become mandatory under the Saudi Building Code (601-602). No new building will receive electrical connection without submitting an approved thermal insulation certificate.

How much does thermal insulation save on electricity bills?

Good thermal insulation can save 30% to 50% of electricity consumption, depending on insulation quality, materials used, and geographic location.

What's the difference between rockwool and polyurethane?

Rockwool is fire-resistant and provides excellent sound insulation but needs precise installation. Polyurethane is lighter and easier to install (sprayed directly) and provides high thermal insulation but is less fire-resistant.

Can an apartment in an existing building be insulated?

Yes, insulating gypsum board panels can be installed on shared walls, windows can be replaced with double-glazed ones, and ceiling insulation can be added. These solutions are very effective although they may reduce space by a few centimeters.

What's the best window type for insulation?

Double glazing windows with UPVC frames provide the best balance between thermal and sound insulation and cost. For extremely hot areas or high noise, triple glazing is preferred.

Does sound insulation improve sleep quality?

Absolutely! Studies confirm that reducing noise levels during sleep contributes to increased deep sleep quality (REM Sleep) and reduces cortisol (stress hormone) secretion, noticeably improving mental and physical health.

Conclusion: Practical Steps to Improve Your Home's Insulation

If you're building a new home: Choose the double wall system with rockwool for external walls. Use insulated blocks (Siporex or volcanic) where possible. Insulate the roof with polyurethane or polystyrene. Install double or triple glazing windows from the start. Ensure you obtain the thermal insulation certificate before requesting electricity connection.

If you're in an existing home: Assess the main noise and heat sources in your home. Start with windows if they're the biggest leak source. Add insulating gypsum board panels on walls shared with neighbors. Use heavy curtains and carpets as supporting solutions. Consult a specialist for more complex solutions.

Remember: Investing in insulation isn't a cost; it's an investment in your comfort, health, and long-term savings. Don't wait for another summer of suffering with high electricity bills and neighbor noise!

At Raghdan, we help you find the right property that meets the highest quality and insulation standards. Browse our properties and benefit from our inspection and evaluation services.