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Sound insulation for ceiling in the basement

17 years ago

I am planning to finish my basement. Half of the basement is under Wooden floors. To avoid the noice from wooden floors from the 1st floor, I am planning to insulate the ceiling. BTW, I am using Sheetrock/Drywall for the ceiling. Is there any special insulation for sound barrier? Or should I use thick thermal insulation?

Thanks for advise.

- Sam

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Comment (1)

jejvtr
17 years ago
sam
congrats on your project -
we just finished 1/2 of our basement - I did research on soundproofing - and found a host of information -

I ended up applying Roxul (brand name) which is a mineral wool used for firestopping & soundproofing btwn the joists - it now comes in batts similiar to the pink stuff

Next applied MLV (mass loaded vinyl) 1/8" thick HEAVY stuff and difficult to work with overhead (see pic) THEN used grid system & Acoustical tiles - Not an easy application

Depends what you are isolating - ?Foot fall on wood floors above - that is probably the most difficult - I still hear foot fall

We did it now for kiddies - isolate the noise - later perhaps a real home theatre

layers of sheetrock - of varying thickness is another proven soundproofer - homosote (basically what these ceiling tiles are) is another -

Try over on the remodeling forum - you'll find threads there and also on home theatre type acoustical forums

It does get confusing & adds $$$ up - any conduit for sound must be properly treated or you will continue w/same prob.

I put a wood exterior door from finish/utility side of basement w/a sweep on the bottom
walls btwn the 2 sides may need to have some application as well

good luck

Here is a link that might be useful: audioholics
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I've begun putting up fiberglass screening stapled to the joists. The electrical and plumbing is so complicated anything solid would be impossible to put up other than a hanging ceiling which would end up probably 6' off the floor. I figure the screening should prevent a vapor barrier while keeping the fiberglass from being disturbed and releasing particulates into the air. I keep a dehumidifier going in the cellar all the time that keeps it at 45-50% humidity so there should be little opportunity for the insulation to get damp. I also keep an air purifier going down there and am in the process of sealing the walls and floor with Drylock Masonry Waterproofing. Overkill? Perhaps? I never have water other than occasionally at the bottom of the sump pit.
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I'm going to respond to something you weren't looking for - fiberglass batts on basement walls are not ideal. Yes - it is done all the time but foam is better. I'm not up on all the arguments but the basics are that moisture comes out of the concrete and will cause mold/mildew in the fiberglass. Far better to use rigid foamboard and I am pretty sure that you would be fine with R-8 - which would be 2 sheets thick. You can then put fiberglass on that if you want. Code here would be insulate the floor. Anytime you have unconditioned space next to conditioned, you need to insulate. Even if the basement is always going to be mild temp. I see what you are thinking - get some climate control from the ducting but that isn't allowed. And then maybe some more from the floor above. Fiberglass is cheap. Insulating the floor is the right answer. My builder always insulates the basement floor even on a conditioned walkout basement. The reasons are sound (minimal) and if you don't want to heat the basement at different times then your 1st floor won't suffer.
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