soundproofing

[Jay]

I know this topic has been covered here and other places, however, I am not looking for an indepth, perfect solution. The existing area that I am going to have my theatre (it is my family room) is below one of my child's bedroom. I do not listen to music or movies at extreme levels but rather moderately and I wanted to dampen some of the sound from going upstairs. I am looking for a low cost reasonable solution that will dampen some of the sound. Has anyone simply put insulation between the ceiling joists? If so, has it dampened the sound somewhat? Also, is there better insulation than other (higher R value, etc.)? Does it then make the room warmer with all the equipment etc. since the heat generated has no escape to the second floor?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[bpape]

The effect on heat will be negligable. That's much more a function of the HVAC return efficiency.

Insulating the cavities will certainly help - mostly with mid/high frequencies and help stop some resonances in the bass. As long as you're digging in anyway, after you insulate, put 2 layers of drywall up on the ceiling of the family room. That will help too - and also with the bass.

 

[Jay]

I stumbled upon this website that sells soundproof drywall. Not sure of the price yet and now sure if it will work any better than putting up two sheets of drywall. Any one with more soundproofing knowledge have any thoughts on the product on the website below?

www.QuietSolution.com

 

[brian32672]

I believe the recommendation would be 2 sheets of 1/2" for minimal soundproofing. The stuff you are looking at is I beleive 2 sheets of 5/8"
Buckeye will be around, and I beleive he is into construction. So he may have the exact answer you are looking for.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I do not listen to music or movies at extreme levels but rather moderately and I wanted to dampen some of the sound from going upstairs. I am looking for a low cost reasonable solution that will dampen some of the sound.

The issue here is dampening bass. Higher notes don't travel the same way bass does. The issue with bass, is that is vibrates through solid surfaces (up to your childs room). You can put in all the insulation you want. It won't stop the vibrating bass. The more secure a surface is, the less it vibrates. That's where the second layer of 5/8" sheetrock may help. You may have better results using "night mode" on your receiver instead of tearing into your ceiling and increasing the r-value (with insulation) of the childs floor. Since you listen to your system at moderate levels, simply having a non-flat surface should aide in the reverb affect on higher notes. Stipled ceilings, acoustical tiles, curtains, carpeting, tapestries, and acoustic foam placed in corners "deaden" a room. You may also consider keeping the speakers away from vents, as they can travel through to your childs room. Lots of ways to remedy this issue.

Does it (insulation) then make the room warmer with all the equipment etc. since the heat generated has no escape to the second floor?

Sure it will-along with breathing, body heat, not to mention the humidity issue (a nearby dishwasher, oven, bathroom). High humidity leads to mold, and mold is a big taboo. When you over insulate, you must provide adequate ventilation. You don't want to live in a rain forest. I've been in plenty of older folks homes who have "April Aire" hooked into their furnaces and live in these "rain forests". It's a humidifier that if turned up past 30%, creates so much mold in walls, attics, and floorboards, would make you ill.

 

[Jay]

Thanks for the replies.

If I go with another layer of drywall, any suggestions as far as putting something in between the layers to dampen the vibration (ie, rubber subtance, etc.)? I was looking at these RSIC-1 (www.pac-intl.com) isolation clip but my ceiling is already at 7 feet 7 inches due to a steel beam that needed to be placed during a previous owners remodel to expand the room and support the wieght of the second floor. This would be the best solution because it can go over the existing drywall and I could run all the wiring between the two. However, I don't want to lose another couple inches of ceiling hieght (1 5/8 with the clips)

After reading your opinion, the effort of stuffing the ceiling with insulation does not seem worthwhile. Does anyone know if there is that much difference between adding another sheet of drywall or using these clips.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

[JohnA]

I stumbled upon this website that sells soundproof drywall. Not sure of the price yet and now sure if it will work any better than putting up two sheets of drywall. Any one with more soundproofing knowledge have any thoughts on the product on the website below?

www.QuietSolution.com

I contacted them about their product, and it might work but it costs!!!! It costs a whole lot of $$$, just to do the front of my house which would consist of about 13-14 sheets it would have run about $2000...or I could do 2 layers of reg. drywall for $200

 

[Jay]

Wow, that is a lot and not worth the cost for me.

 

[bpape]

2 layers of standard drywall is about the most cost effective method to help minimize bass transmission there is - no need for fancy stuff.

Insulating the cavity, as I said, will help with mid/high frequencies and WILL also help damp cavity resonances in the bass. It won't stop them but it will help to keep the cavity from acting quite so much like a drum. Think of a bass drum with and without a pillow in it - same thing.

As for the heat, moisture, etc. - putting insulation in the ceiling should not cause a problem. It's no different than insulating interior walls/ceilings in a bathroom (and that's a much more temperature/moisture variant situation). Again, the best way to deal with heat buildup is to make sure you have sufficient cold air return capacity in the space. I'd bet a good amount that if you measured 2 identical rooms, both with double drywall ceiling, one with and one without insulation in the cavities, after a couple hours of similar equipment operation/people/etc., there would likely be less than a degree or 2 difference in the temperature in the room.

 

[Tsunamii]

I stumbled upon this website that sells soundproof drywall. Not sure of the price yet and now sure if it will work any better than putting up two sheets of drywall. Any one with more soundproofing knowledge have any thoughts on the product on the website below?

www.QuietSolution.com

I was also looking at "quietrock" as a soultion. The cost is high. About $105 per sheet 4x8 sheet. Compared to $12 for sheetrock. Though I understand it is a great product and easer then building a room within a room.

 

[Jay]

bpape, thanks much for your advice. It seems there is no advantage to tearing into the ceiling and placing insulation for the minimal effect on bass vibrations. Therefore, I think I am going to go with another sheet of drywall. One question though, I have recessed lighting, and would the holes cut through the two sheets of drywall for the lights ruin what I am trying to do with placing another sheet of drywall on the ceiling? If so, anything I can do to help with the holes made for the lighting?

 

[bpape]

Jay,

I believe that there is ABSOLUTELY a benefit to insulating those cavities. The damped cavity not only changes (slightly) what gets out, but has a major impact on how it sounds IN the room.

To a certain extent, cutting holes for can lights is certainly going to counter all of your efforts. The only way around it is to build boxes that are sealed for the cans to be in. You'll need IC rated cans and make the boxes relatively large so there is a decent air-volume in them. Yes. This means ripping out your current ceiling - sorry.

 

[JohnA]

I Compared to $12 for sheetrock.

Where the heck are you buying drywall from? $12 bucks....that has got to be for 1" right?

 

[Tsunamii]

yes, I beleive so.
It was the same place selling the quietrock.