Forum
« ceilings and floors and basements NEEDED: DESIGNER / BUILDER / CARPENTER »
February 4, 2008
Soundproofing
I live in an apartment that is the middle floor of a 3 story brownstone. I recently switched the living room and the bedroom.
I like the layout much better now, but I can't get any sleep in the new bedroom– upstairs neighbor, (landlord) is a night owl. Plays TV at normal volume or just walks across the floor makes too much noise.
Right now there is a drop ceiling covering a badly damaged plaster ceiling– many big areas of plaster missing, others peeling away. I think that the recent shedding of some large chunks of plaster has let more noise through.
I'm considering removing the drop ceiling, then framing the ceiling and sheetrocking it with Quietrock. Has anyone done this? Was it effective? What should it cost for one room?
Also, the apartment has double pane replacement windows which need replacement. Any ideas on replacements that are more soundproof?
Comments
The landlord is not fulfilling his 'quiet enjoyment' compact with you. Let him solve the problem. You're paying rent, right?
Posted by: denton at February 4, 2008 7:46 PM
how bout sticking some sound foam into your ceiling and when you move out take those foam pads with you.
Posted by: armchairwarrior at February 4, 2008 11:32 PM
I have dirt cheap rent for the slope, or any neighborhood in north america. I'm not going to start crap with the guy, especially since I'm not rent controlled or stabilized. I've been here over a decade and we have a good relationship. He pays for any work I have done or if I DIY, he pays for the materials. I like it that way and so does he.
Prior to putting new tiles in the drop ceiling, there was fiberglass on top of the old tiles. From what I've heard, that type of insulation does not do much for sound. I think the big problem is the sections of old plaster that fell down recently.
I'm not sure about soundfoam as far as building code goes, like can it be in an enclosed space. I knew a musician who had a practice room with soundfoamed walls. You could still hear him. Also, I'd like to get rid of the drop ceiling, as it's ugly.
Posted by: bv706 at February 5, 2008 1:08 AM
Why not fill the space above the ceiling tiles with fiberglass insulation? I would start by filling the hole left open by the fallen plaster with fiberglass and then laying down a layer or two on top of the ceiling tiles.
Its very important that you do not leave any gaps near the edges nor around the cables that support the ceiling frame. Any gaps would allow sound to run right through.
The only exception to the no gap rule are any electrical fixtures in the ceiling like lamps. Since they got hot you have to leave a few inches of free air around them. I don't know exactly how much free air, but you need a few inches. Ask around for the exact number.
Victor/diadian.
(Can't login since the redesign)
Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 8:01 AM
Another idea to ponder is a product called Green Glue. What you want to do is remove the old ceiling and using drywall or wood attach the drywall or wood directly to the underside of the subfloor above you. You can double or triple the amount of layers. Then you can inclose the it with another layer of Green Glue and drywall, QuietRock or Supress. More info here.
http://www.greengluecompany.com/upgradingExistingFloors.php
Dave
http://www.soundproofingwithdave.com
Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 12:00 PM
esp if u have kids or r pregnant, be careful to limit exposure to dust/lead paint from old ceiling if you demo it...
Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 1:06 PM
maybe you shouldn't have moved your rooms around...
Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 1:31 PM
Try a white noise machine first before you do anything drastic. When I lived facing the street in the EV it blocked out almost everything. I highly recommend the Sleepmate: http://www.amazon.com/Marpac-980-Screen-SleepMate-Conditioner/dp/B000KUHFGM
Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 4:40 PM
As for not switching the rooms– when I first moved here the front room was the bedroom. I lived that way for years, same upstairs neighbor. Then I wanted a change and switched to the back room. Noticed less street noise, but street noise is not that bad.
So when I decided to switch back, I did not expect the problem. I could switch back, but REALLY like the new layout.
Thanks for the links to various soundproofing product sites.
Posted by: bv706 at February 5, 2008 9:51 PM
Post a comment
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.