The ceilings are important in any building. They keep the occupants safe from harsh weather. Unfortunately, the ceilings cannot prevent sound waves. But, you can soundproof your ceilings and deaden any noise.
If you are living in a flat or a place where many people live, ceiling soundproofing maybe the best option if you want to reduce noise, after a day at work, listening to loud music from a neighbor or next room may be annoying.
There are various solutions for ceiling soundproofing depending on the type of noise you want to prevent.
Soundproofing the ceilings help to control noise from spreading in or out through the ceiling. It could be noise transmitting through the ceiling or floor assembly, down or up to the stairs, or elimination of noise is spreading from one room to another through an open ceiling system.
You should also consider soundproofing your floor and windows for maximum result.
The main goal for soundproofing is to have more privacy and protection against noise. If you want to soundproof your ceiling, here we have a solution for you.
The aim is to force a break in the connection points of the ceiling to the floor; the ceiling is lined with weight, and force the collapse up to 80% of the noise.
Contents
Insulating the ceiling cavity to soundproof ceiling
If you choose this option, you will need a Rockwool, insulation saw, a step ladder, a measuring tape, and a screwdriver or claw hammer.
To insulate the ceiling, begin by removing the ceiling panels or plasterboard using the screwdriver or claw hammer.
Also, remove any fittings on the ceiling. This will help to expose the joists and space between them. Rockwool is full of air spaces; it will help to absorb sounds thus, soundproofing the ceiling.
When choosing insulation material, ensure that it is resistant to flame, because electrical faults may lead to fire breakout quickly.
The melting point of Rockwool is 1100 degrees, making it the best choice. Measure the ceiling cavity spaces and cut the insulation to a size that will fit in the gaps using a strong pair of scissors or a saw.
You can cut about 10cm wider than the measured space. This will help to compress the material into the space to hold there without using glue, but not all foams can be compressed to fit.
Rockwool does not need any glue when installing; it is compressed into place between the joists.
Rockwool can be bent around the wires and should be placed with about an inch of air space between it and floorboards because it will help to reduce any sounds. You can add other rockwool layers throughout the whole ceiling cavity.
Put the ceiling panels back after you have finished installing the Rockwool.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
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 | Grodan 1.5" Rockwool Starter Plugs, 2 Sheets of 49 Plugs (98 Plugs Total) + Twin Canaries Chart | 5,306 Reviews | Check Price |
Resilient channels do effective soundproofing
For resilient channels, you will need a step ladder, screwdriver, and a screw.
Resilient channels are metallic strips that you will fix the plasterboard too. They are used to decouple the ceiling panels from the joists.
The channels do this by having a small area of contact with the joists which is lined by rubber so that minimal vibrations are transferred.
The several channels help to disrupt the vibrations as they pass through metals, sound energy is lost so by the time the sound waves get through the ceiling panels all energy is turned into heat, and little noise gets through.
Screw the resilient channels across the ceiling joists at regular intervals and the plasterboard can be attached to the resilient board.
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 | Genuine, RSIC-1, Resilient Sound Clip with Mounting Screws (10 Pack) | 45 Reviews | Check Price |
Db-bloc
The layering system will offer you the sound protection that you need. The acoustic targets the disconnection and density that you desire.
It is loaded with vinyl. The material is ultra-thin, ultra-dense barrier membrane that prevents noise and vibration.
It is tacked directly on the ceiling.
The disconnection will be in the form of a channel system that anchors over the dB-Bloc to prepare for a newly finished surface.
To create a soundproof ceiling, layer the dB-bloc to the ceiling surface whether that’s exposed joists or drywall.
A lot of work is needed to soundproof the ceiling. So, if you can’t do it yourself, call a professional to do it.
You can choose to insulate the ceiling cavity, use soundproof ceiling panels, or add resilient channels. Any of these steps will help to improve the sound resistance of the ceiling. For best results, you can try the three options.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
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 | Foamily 12 Pack- Burgundy/Charcoal Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges 1" X 12" X 12" | 521 Reviews | Check Price |
Replace the plasterboard with soundproof ceiling panels
All you need is soundproof panels, screws, a step ladder, and a screwdriver.
Adding mass to the ceiling will help to improve the ability to prevent noise. The soundproof ceiling panels are boards made with a dense rubber layer. The rubber helps to dampen noise and vibrations.
The panels are between 25-40mm thick. So, they can reduce the ceiling space, particularly when used together with resilient channels.
Screw the resilient channels and ensure that the panels are fixed exclusively into the channels and are not secured to the joists, because the effectiveness of the ceiling will be compromised and allow noise and vibrations to travel through the ceiling easily making the channels ineffective.
After screwing the soundproofing panels; plaster and decorate the ceiling.
Soundproof ceiling tiles examples
Quiet board tiles
You can use soundproof ceiling tiles to reduce noise in your room. Quiet board tiles absorb and deflect sound. They are acoustic panels made of Styrofoam like beads.
There are hollow cores in the beads that guide sound waves into the panels for better absorption and therefore reduce noise.
The tiles have a dense core, and an irregular texture material absorbs and deflects unwanted noise away from your room.
Benefits
- Lightweight, washable, and fiber free.
- Bacteria and fungi resistant
- They can be installed as hanging baffles or wall panels
- It has no fiberglass to irritate you.
- Water resistant
They can be attached on various surfaces and can be cut into desired sizes.
The tiles are effective and versatile when it comes to soundproofing the ceilings. It can be used in auditoriums, classes, food facilities, laboratories, and other facilities.
IsoTrax
This is another option that you can try for your ceiling. The package has additional isolation pads and hardware. It can accommodate the additional weight of the ceilings. The package will reduce noise and vibrations. It can be installed on the walls and ceilings.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
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 | BXI Sound Absorber - 16 X 12 X 3/8 Inches 6 Pack High Density Acoustic Absorption Panel, Sound... | 1,613 Reviews | Check Price |
Benefits of Soundproofing Ceiling
- You can clean the acoustic ceiling tiles with soap and water. They are impact-resistant. You don’t have to worry about toddlers in the room.
- The tiles can hide the wires and pipes on the ceiling. They are easy to remodel and repair when you want.
- It gives you the freedom to host parties or listen to loud music in your house without disturbing the neighbors above.
- No more noise from your neighbor
- You’ll have a multipurpose and solid ceiling.
- You can soundproof your bathroom ceiling. Bathrooms can be noise when people take long showers, slamming doors, and even blow drying.
There are more benefits of soundproofing the ceilings in your house. You can DIY or call a professional to help you in the soundproofing process.
Why soundproof the ceiling?
Soundproofing a ceiling is easier than other parts of your house. You only have one surface to work on. If there is an opening, ensure that it is sealed to prevent leaking noise into or out of the house.
Soundproofing the ceiling will not cost a lot of money. So, this information will help you to soundproof the ceiling easily.
Types of noise
Two types of noise can be prevented by soundproofing the ceiling; the airborne and impact noise. Here is a more detailed article on types of noises which you might find helpful. Other sounds are from the environment and are prevented by soundproofing other areas of the house.
Impact noise
This is generated when you drop an object or stump your feet. The noise makes contact with the floor and is transferred through the vibration of the floor. Footsteps and noise from dishes are examples of impact noise.
Airborne disease
The noise is transmitted by sound waves through the air. It is hard to reduce or control this type of noise. The noise can be music, loud conversations, car honking, crying, and others. The noise moves through the space in the facility.
The above information will help you on how to soundproof a ceiling. Noise is everywhere and cannot be escaped. Some people consider singing of birds as noise because it disturbs them.
Soundproofing is an innovation that will help you to deaden the noise in your house. The ceiling can be fortified to have a peaceful home. Soundproofing is easy and flexible to your requirements and affordable.
You can soundproof the ceilings yourself or get help from professionals. It is not a small task but is worth the effort. The peace of mind that you will get after the process is great.
All the methods that I mentioned above are doable and affordable. Some of the techniques may be more effective than others depending on what you want for your house.
You can also have one or more soundproofing. Ensure that you take your time to understand and plan for the whole project.
