Soundproofing
Curious what sound isolation efforts are common when rennovating a Brownstone. I would assume that noise through the ceiling is a big concern Thanks
Curious what sound isolation efforts are common when rennovating a Brownstone.
I would assume that noise through the ceiling is a big concern
Thanks
Ted, just tore down the drywall ceiling in our new, to-be-renovated garden level coop apt. Neighbors very nice upstairs but no way to remove their floor. Original wood joists, hardwood over original subfloor above. Have reviewed the site you mention in your posts (very helpful) and am going to get quotes on the ceiling package you recommend in your post above. That said, we have the possibility of doing a plaster ceiling (blueboard). How might plaster affect the performance of this package, good or bad? Recommendations for any changes to the package? Thanks!! Jenn
Green Glue seems to be the most ideal product for airborne sound between walls/ceilings. However for footstep sound it seems to be that much more difficult. This article may be a help http://www.tmsoundproofing.com/store/pages.php?pageid=23
Ralphus,
Just wondering what you ended up doing to your ceiling. I have the same problem and have read nothing but contradicting reports about what works and what doesn’t work. Some research is more convincing than others, but most if it is being pushed by someone trying to sell me something. Having a really hard time just finding out what works from people who have actually done it themselves. Also having a hard time finding a contractor who actually has experience with anything other than blowing insulation or putting up drywall.
Thanks.
Unfortunately, footfall noise is the most difficult to deal with. The direct impact injects a great deal of energy into a small area. This easily overwhelms most isolation systems and products. This is distinctly different from isolating airborne noise. An analogy is surviving a rifle vs. shotgun. Footfall = rifle. A TV set = shotgun.
Thin mats and pads don’t offer much relief at all. Again, very easily overwhelmed by the impact energy of a footstep. Their success is limited to the high frequencies (low energy) and not the more bothersome thumping low frequencies.
Here’s an article with data and graphics that explains the footfall noise problem in detail. http://www.soundproofingcompany.com/index.php?/solutions/neighbor_noise/neighbor_noise_ceilings
I am affiliated with this company, so let me say that for full disclosure.
Given that 95% of the time the problem can only be dealt with from below, generally the best results are obtained when you:
Remove the existing ceiling
Apply mass and damping to the underside of the subfloor
Install simple run of the mill R19 fiberglass insulation
Decouple the new ceiling drywall from the old joists
Install new drywall.
This is a multi-faceted approach that works best, and is a good bang for the buck. Exotic insulation does no better than R19. Lab proven fact. You can assemble your own “soundproof drywall†and have better, far less expensive results. Another lab-proven fact.
If you focus on the fundamentals, you can really improve things a great deal.
if you want it to be done really well i would go the decoupling route. ALso put down some rugs where the kids move around. I’m in the same situation i want the garden floor to be quiet from footsteps. Renovated the garden floor but the ceilings were low so we didn’t do much except a layer of sound board which didn’t do nearly enough for my tastes.
Going to one day rip up my floor and look into if its possible to decouple from up here because on this parlour floor the ceilings are very high so i don’t have to worry about losing a few inches
when you hang the new ceiling, you will want to hang it on joists that are set between and a couple of inches below the joists for the floor above. This can be achieved through traditional materials such as wood or by hanging a steel grid on which to apply drywall. i’ve seen drawings of the way to stagger and set wood joists on the ‘net. I am sorry, I can’t recall the site.
Steve
the tinkers wagon home repairs
347-813-9635
http://www.quietsolution.com/html/quietrock.html
Quietrock is one of the better sound proof wall boards, most of it is fire rated as well.
The best place to find the answer is through the recording studio searches.
Thanks folks. I actually have neighbors living above us, so I doubt they’d let me rip up their floors for cork! The contractors have proposed ripping out the existing sheetrock, putting in very dense insulation then using a noise absorbent “sheetrock” to finish the ceiling off. I was assured that this would make my place like a tomb but it comes at a rather steep cost, upwards of $20k for a fairly small place, but it sounds like my best option here. My sanity is at risk!!!