SOUNDPROOFING A CEILING

Soundproofing a ceiling is often required in older properties that have been converted into flats and it is not possible to address the noise nuisance from above. There are various ways that you can soundproof a ceiling but some of the more popular ways can be viewed on our Domestic Web Site by clicking here

From this page it can be seen there are two options of soundproofing a ceiling on our Domestic site and I will discuss these in turn. The first option is our Thin Ceiling System. This is a system that can be used on existing lathe and plaster ceilings because it is not recommended that these should be removed. Lathe and plaster ceilings generally perform better than plasterboard ceilings and removing them can be detrimental to the existing level of soundproofing and also extremely messy. Because lathe and plaster ceilings already have a reasonable degree of soundproofing, it is best to improve on it by installing another layer of high density 15mm Acoustic Plasterboard with our SoundBlocker Membrane sandwiched between the existing ceiling and the new. More information on this including installation instructions can be accessed from here

The other more popular option for soundproofing a ceiling that will give a far greater degree of soundproofing entails removing the existing ceiling which would normally comprise just thin plasterboard. Once removed, the underside of the joists will be exposed and now our Studio Ceiling System can be installed. This incorporates a heavier, decoupled ceiling using our 15mm deep Resilient Bar system along with 100mm of AMW100 Acoustic Mineral Wool installed as a loose fit between the joists. This system of soundproofing a ceiling is more efficient because a double thickness of heavier and denser Acoustic Plasterboard is fitted with an even denser layer of 1mm SoundBlocker Membrane sandwiched between the layers of plasterboard. For best results 15mm Acoustic Plasterboard can be used because the denser and thicker the panel, the more efficient it becomes at blocking noise although 12.5mm will still give appreciable results. More information including installation instructions can be viewed by clicking here

There is another, far more efficient method of soundproofing that can be adopted for your ceiling if there is sufficient height. This is to leave the existing ceiling as it is or if it is a lathe and plaster ceiling, secure it with an additional layer of 15mm Acoustic Plasterboard screwed through to the supporting joists. You will now need about a foot (300mm) of space that must be available from the top of your windows to the underside of the ceiling. If this space is available, new timber joists of the correct dimensions to suit the span should be fixed independently of the existing ceiling and supported by wall mounted hangers. It is important the joists are of the correct dimensions otherwise sagging in the middle can occur due to the weight of the plasterboard. If smaller joists have to be used, then it is important they are supported with wire to the ceiling above to help carry the weight. Once the joists have been installed, if there is enough room above, 100mm of AMW Acoustic Mineral Wool can be laid over the joists otherwise they will have to be a loose fit between the joists and supported with wire netting that we can also supply. Finally, a double thickness of either 12.5mm or 15mm Acoustic Plasterboard can be screwed to the underside of the new joists.

Whichever system of soundproofing for your ceiling is adopted, it is most important that inset ceiling lights are not fitted. The fitting of these will reduce the efficiency of the newly soundproofed ceiling. If inset ceiling lights must be fitted then they should be the acoustically rated ones that do not allow as much sound penetration.

If modern houses and flats are built using the correct materials, the ceilings should already be soundproofed against normal noise nuisance from neighbours above. However, loud noise will always be heard and is more of a nuisance at night when other daytime background noises have ceased. When loud noise is a problem it is an environmental issue and only your local authority would be able to deal with it, but it will take time after you have brought the matter to their attention.

Apart from the airborne noise nuisance already mentioned, impact noise from above is often caused by footfalls and furniture such as chairs being moved on hardwood and laminate floors. This can becaome a problem if the neighbour above decides to change from a carpeted floor to a hardwood or laminate floor. If you are aware that your neighbour above is contemplating this change, then talk to him about the best method of soundproofing that can be installed beneath the new flooring before it is installed. More on soundproofing a floor can be viewed on our Domestic web site by clicking here