Soundproofing for a Ceiling | Acousticshop.co.uk

Soundproofing for Ceilings, and what you need to know
Before soundproofing a ceiling and solve sound problems it is important to know the exact source of the problem and how the sound propagates. Below you will find a brief explanation of what may cause a sound problem and what soundproofing products you need use to isolate sound.

What is airborne noise?
Airborne sound, or noise, is sound that travels through air. This is sound produced by a source that causes the actual nuisance. Examples of airborne noise include speech, television/radio, loud music, appliances and traffic noise.

What is impact noise?
These are the sounds produced by vibrations in the structure of a building, for example floors, walls or ceilings. Examples of contact noise, people walking, closing doors, playing children (e.g. dropping toys) or resonating machines and appliances, such as a washing machine. In this case you experience this as sounds or physical vibration.Impact noise from appliances are often perceived as a humming sound.

What is flanking noise?
A ceiling that extends from one building via a (single-brick) wall to another building radiates flanking noise. In this case, insulating the ceiling alone may not be sufficient, the walls might also to be soundproofed with, for example, Akoestikon Acoustic Stud system.

Product for soundproofing a ceiling
Nuisance from airborne noise from upstairs neighbours is largely via the direct separation with the neighbours, in this case the ceiling. By soundproofing the ceiling with Akoestikon Acoustic Studs you can reduce noise to- and from neighbours. After the installation of a Akoestikon Stud system, the noise radiated from the ceiling is insulated by the acoustic filling, insulation wool, and soundproofed by a double layer of plasterboard mounted on the resilient Acoustic Studs. The more separation you can create between you and your neighbours, by using the Akoestikon Acoustic Studs, the better the result.

In somewhat older buildings with low, wooden ceilings the Akoestikon Studs solution might be too thick. In this case fill the hollow space in the ceiling for at least 70% with Acoustic Cotton Wool insulation, and finish this with a double layer of plasterboard. Between those two layers you need to add mass, the extra weight adds to the soundproofing, use the mass loaded vinyl Isomat KE to do so.

What can I expect in terms of results?
The behaviour of vibrations and noise is complex, so it is difficult to predict what the end result will be. The result is influenced by the building itself and the construction of the property and the amount of flanking noise that enters your room in other ways.

Products to soundproof a ceiling