Basement Ceiling - Typical Sound Reduction Steps

Users who are viewing this thread

J Blow

Member
Messages
116
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Location
South Dakota
Hi again, all. I'm finishing my basement and trying to decide how much I need to do in terms of insulating the ceiling for sound. I'm not a bit concerned about heat loss as the basement is very, very well insulated but I would like to reduce the level of sound transmission between the floors. I'm not looking to completely soundproof or go overboard, just cut out some of the common noise. Right now, it's all open but sound so easily filters back and forth. You can hear voices and every movement quite easily. I suspect just adding the drywall won't quite be enough. I know it's hard to convey how much sound I'm trying to cut down simply trying to get a normal level of privacy for the basement bedrooms. I've looked into the roxul safe and sound as I figured the combination of this and drywall would quiet things down considerably. Thoughts?

Thanks.
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,771
Reaction score
1,191
Points
113
Location
New England
Two layers of drywall with an acoustic caulk in between or the sound isolation strips to attach the second layer.
 
Messages
705
Reaction score
48
Points
28
Location
Montreal, Canada
I've looked into the roxul safe and sound as I figured the combination of this and drywall would quiet things down considerably.
This stuff has been available in Canada for some time, and only recently entered the U.S. markets.

No other product can replace it. It does exactly what it is advertised to do.

Don't just insulate the basement ceiling with it. Use it in the basement walls too, as that will also absorb ambient sounds, leaving less going to the ceiling.
 

Dana

In the trades
Messages
7,889
Reaction score
509
Points
113
Location
01609
Air sealing is the critical first step.

Using low density cellulose in the ceiling (not "dense packed") will also help.

There are many fiber solutions that are as effective at sound abatement as 3" rock wool. Roxul (and other rock wool batting) has been available in the US for decades, but only recently distributed in the big box store chains.

Installing rock wool on the exterior walls without the requisite amount of air-impermeable insulation between the rock-wool and exterior for dew point control is just asking for a mold farm (as is closing it all in with a 6 mil polyethylene vapor barrier.) If insulating basement walls is a prospect, read up on it first. (There are multiple threads covering the topic on this forum.)
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks