Sound Proofing Floors
I have two units in a small condo building with one unit directly below the other. I am trying to determine the most cost effective way to minimize noise from the top unit to the lower unit.
The lower unit is currently occupied so I am looking for a fix that can be applied under carpeting. It seems impact noise is the main problem however loud talking can also be heard between the floors.
Thanks for any advice you can offer. This is my first post!
Jon
thanks for the response. For various reasons it is not practical to work in the lower unit at this time. I have read that installing resilient channel ceilings and new/or better insulation would be best. I have not opened the ceilings to see what insulation currently exists.
I was hoping someone might have some real experience with carpet or underlay products that have worked well in similar situations.
Thanks,
Jon
thanks for the suggestions.
I think you are right I will probably have to do it from below. This is not something I can do now but when the opportunity presents itself I will look into.
Jon
I would imagine that being able to hear voices might be from the ductwork? DO they share heating & cooling?
You can increase the thickness of your pad under the carpet and the quality but you are still going to get sound transferral albeit a more muffled sound.
I just put 8lb pad in my master bedroom and R-30 in the floor joists and still have a lot of sound in the basement apartment from walking on top of the carpet.
The ideal way is to isolate one unit from the other, using sound board might be effective as the one room we put in sound board and then sheetrock seems to be the best insulated for sound.
Also the lowered/hanging ceiling would do the same thing I think.
[addsig]
For now the project is on hold but if the tenant in the lower unit moves or if there is a big problem I will try to address it. Currently both units are occupied and I am not getting any complaints which is a good thing.
thanks for the responses.
Jon