Pompeyfan wrote:
I want to soundproof a room, where my wife can get some peace and
quiet from our son, I was thinking of cork tiles, does anyone know
whether these absorb much sound?, any alternative suggestions?, we
are on a bit of a limited budget.
Any replies appreciated.

The problem is not your wife, it is the noise. Don't isolate the wife.

If you are unable or unwilling to change the noise from the son, then
provide sound proofing of a place for the son to make his noise. How to do
that depends on the type of noise and home construction.

http://www.soundproofing.org/

In general you want to block air exchange. Air caries sound very well.
(Try opening your car's window as a train is going by.)

Next you want weight. Heavy things (drywall lead sheets etc.) block
sound well.

You also want to prevent any direct solid connections. Stagger wall
studs or use special isolation devices to keep the sound from traveling
through the wall (remember the two cans on a string (well wire actuarially
worked) you want to break the wire).

Filling in wall cavities with sound absorbing materials (accustical
fiberglass bats) will do a little.

Point source control (special absorption material) at the source of the
sound will also help.


--
Joseph Meehan

Dia's Muire duit