Ceiling and Floor Soundproofing
Reduce Noise From Coming Through Your ceiling
To mitigate impact and airborne noise transfer through the floor/ceiling from above, we recommends that the following steps be done when treating the ceiling below. First, the existing ceiling will be demolished and fully removed. Any and all electrical boxes and light boxes will be extended down to the new ceiling height and wrapped with a fire rated sound putty pad. Next, a sound insulation (Quiet Insul) will be installed throughout the entirety of the ceiling. This step will help to absorb the airborne noise transferring through the floor/ceiling and to help deaden the open cavities between the units. Next, a layer of Sound Barrier HD will be installed and sealed onto the entirety of the ceiling. The Sound Barrier is a mass loaded vinyl that helps to deflect and block airborne noises as well as low frequencies transferring between the units. Next, a decoupling clip and channel system will be installed throughout the entirety of the ceiling. This step is key to the mitigation of impact noises like footsteps. Next, two layers of 5/8” blueboard or sheetrock should be installed onto the clip and channel system. Green Glue Compound will be applied in between both layers of board as it is being hung. The layer of Green Glue Compound is a final decoupling step to mitigate impact noises. Both layers of board will have at least an 1/8” gap from any existing walls. This gap will keep the ceiling decoupled from all existing framing. This gap and any seams will be filled with Green Glue Sealant. Finally, finish off your ceiling with plastered, painted, and all lighting and trim moldings (if any).
Sound transmission through floors and ceilings – Walking on hard surfaces, such as tile or wooden floors creates indoor noise that can easily pass through floors and disturb occupants below, in a multi-story home or office. With todays hard floors being installed, more and more people complain about noise coming through the ceiling.
Soundproofing solution: We use combinations of sound absorbing underlayment on floors and sound barrier and sound deadening materials on ceilings to reduce the transmission of sound through floors. The goal is to break the connections that move vibrations (and the noise they create) through the structure. For existing structures, our Sonic-Shield barrier materials, when added to a typical ceiling, can increase the STC of the wall from 33 to over 53, reducing the perceived loudness of the transmitted noise by 75%. Also, adding our isolation clip and channel system, we can increase the IIC up to 70! Every situation is unique and requires a customized solution to meet the property’s individual needs. We also have underpayments that can go under your hardwood, tile, and carpet floors.
Specifically for ceiling soundproofing we suggest adding a combinations of the following:
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Ceiling Soundproofing
Quiet Insul: The best acoustical insulation in the industry! This is a cotton based insulation that has a high absorption value along with a Class A fire rating. Just like regular insulation, this goes between the joist of the ceiling and will absorb the noise that enters the joist bays. Absorbing the noise will lessen the noise pressure, reducing any noise from coming through. This insulation comes in a R13 and R19 rating.
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Sonic-Shield Acoustic Barrier: Also known as Sound Barrier MLV - this high dense material comes in 1-lb/sf and 2-lb/sf which is 1/8" and 1/4" respectively in thickness. This thin material is very heavy and dense to block the airborne noise from coming through. This material gets mounted on the studs and sealed up completely with our MLV Tape. This material can easily get nailed to the joist to allow for a quick easy install!
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Sound Isolation Clips System: This crucial system that gets installed after the barrier is to help with low frequency noise. Major ceiling sound issues is the footfall / walking noise that is created from people above. Or maybe it is a a loud stereo, subwoofer, and even dogs barking and running, this will help reduce that noise.Mounting our Isolation clips to the joist in a staggered pattern, then mounting hat channels to the clips, this will isolation the vibration that comes through the ceiling. Sheetrock will then be mounted to the channels so when the wall vibrates, the sheetrock won't!
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Accessories: Along with the above products, accessories like Sound Putty Pads, MLV Tape, and Acoustical Sealant is needed to finish off the wall.
The Sound Putty Pads are used to protect any light boxes, smoke detectors, and anything else that is penetrating the ceiling. The pads get wrapped around any electrical box that is used in the ceiling, sealing off the box. We always suggest putting low voltage into a electrical box as well to properly seal that box. Sealing with the Sound Putty Pad will increase the sound blocking of the boxes, minimizing leakage.
MVL Tape is used with the Sound Barrier both 1LB and 2LB product. It is made of the same material as the barrier but with a pressure sensitive adhesive on the back, making it a great tape to use. Use it on the seams of the barrier to seal it up completely.
Acoustical Sealant is used around the perimeter of the sheetrock. Remember, when you sheetrock (or blue-board) the ceiling, to keep a 1/8" or so gap around the perimeter and fill it with the acoustical sealant. The reduces the vibration from the other walls to come into the ceiling you worked on.
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Extra Add On - Green Glue Compound: Adding a extra layer of sheetrock or blue-board will increase the sound reduction, but when you do that you must add in our Green Glue Compound to that extra layer to ensure the best soundproofing. This is a easy step that is easy and fast to do. Prior of mounting the second layer, you will add 1.5 to 2 tubes of Green Glue compound to the sheet and then install that second sheet as normal. This significantly increases the STC and blocks the noise!
