I tore down the ceiling in my basement and want to redo it with noise reduction in mind. What method provides a reasonable amount of sound proofing for a reasonable price?
We have 1 person living in the basement and 2 on the main floor in a bungalow.
Some say insulation; others say two layers of 5/8" drywall with sound proofing caulking in between; and resilient channeling is suggested as better than insulation.
To install sound proof insulation and 5/8 drywall and resilient channels will not solve this problem, that is the system used for fire rating code, sound will be there ,less then now but there. What is the problem is, when the House is build the lumber wasn't dry and is drying after is build and creates gup between plywood and joists and the squeaks are on the nails, what You need to do is to screw the plywood down and the squeaks will disappear.
Thanks but it is not squeaks that I'm trying to reduce. It is general sounds like voice, footsteps, TV...etc.
In the Building Code there are Tables describing fire and sound transmission for a wide variety of wall and floor assemblies. I'll provide a few examples from the Code for an assembly with wood joists and plywood decking:
1 layer of 5/8" drywall = STC 29
Same plus sound absorptive material in cavity = STC 31
2 layers of 5/8 drywall = STC 33
Same with absorptive material = STC 35
resilient channels + 1 layer of 5/8" drywall = STC 35
Same with absorptive material = STC 38
The Code requires an STC of 50 between suites.
Hope this helps.
Suggest you talk to your local building inspector for more info.
Thanks Ian,
That's great information.
Ian's post got it dead on for code. I have also had pretty good success with just putting Roxul sound batt insulation as opposed to their thermal stuff and just 1/2" drywall. I have also done the same and a layer of sound channel as well, seemed to help even more. Basically more layers of materials added the less sound but of course costs get high. Easiest and cheapest is sound channel then next is batt insulation, next is multiple layers of drywall or all the new fangled stuff is hit or miss and if you have open doors or arches to the spaces it negates any effect of course. No insulated or sealed basement door and all the insulation in the world will not stop all the sound travel. Other day in Home Depot I saw a display of a new drywall product with a insulating layer on it. They had a box lined with the stuff and a boom box inside cranked up. From outside you could not hear a thing? This info. is from direct experience as a contractor.
Thanks John, this new drywall with insulation "sounds" amazing!
Search the TrustedPros directory and discover the best contractors in your area.
Find your home service pro