Floor soundproofing
Discussion
Looking for some help & advice regarding floor soundproofing. Daughter has just bought a first floor flat and there is a lot of noise from the flat below, particularly voices.
Today I've lifted the carpet & underlay to find a lot of gaps around the old floorboards. There is also an empty void between floor & ceiling of flat below so some insulation/ soundproofing is definitely needed.
I've had a look about and I'm thinking a covering on top of the floor is probably the best bet, having seen some rubber mat type that seals the floor and supposedly reduces noise levels by 50%.
However as always these mats are pretty expensive so I'm wondering if anyone has done a cheaper DIY solution? I'm thinking boards with some cheaper sound deadening underlay may work?
So any & all advice welcome. Tia.
Today I've lifted the carpet & underlay to find a lot of gaps around the old floorboards. There is also an empty void between floor & ceiling of flat below so some insulation/ soundproofing is definitely needed.
I've had a look about and I'm thinking a covering on top of the floor is probably the best bet, having seen some rubber mat type that seals the floor and supposedly reduces noise levels by 50%.
However as always these mats are pretty expensive so I'm wondering if anyone has done a cheaper DIY solution? I'm thinking boards with some cheaper sound deadening underlay may work?
So any & all advice welcome. Tia.
Sounds confusing - how do you access the gap between the floor & downstairs ceiling - if easy, then fill with acoustic mineral wool - like loft insulation but more dense.
After that seal all the gaps - even a small gap can let through a lot of noise. Use proper acoustic sealant.\
The mats help - they add mass and again, help seal air gaps - I used 2 layers, laid to overlap gaps.
Acoustic underlay & carpet will also help.
Also make sure things like radiator pipes are sealed to the floor - and even take sockets off the walls & seal the back of the backbox.
After that seal all the gaps - even a small gap can let through a lot of noise. Use proper acoustic sealant.\
The mats help - they add mass and again, help seal air gaps - I used 2 layers, laid to overlap gaps.
Acoustic underlay & carpet will also help.
Also make sure things like radiator pipes are sealed to the floor - and even take sockets off the walls & seal the back of the backbox.
There is a board screwed to underside of joists but various holes cut when flat has been renovated for heating pipes etc. This allows you to see the void above downstairs ceiling.
I have watched a couple of yt videos describing what you suggest but I'm unsure which method is best ie rockwool & new thick board flooring or mats onto original floorboards.
I have watched a couple of yt videos describing what you suggest but I'm unsure which method is best ie rockwool & new thick board flooring or mats onto original floorboards.
Acoustic mineral wool is fairly rigid - much more so than loft insulation - I don't think it would go that well into restricted access holes and just rammed in.
After that, it's really down to budget - most things can be done incrementally and aren't particularly alternatives to each other.....
After that, it's really down to budget - most things can be done incrementally and aren't particularly alternatives to each other.....
You will either have to lift the floorboards to install rock wool acoustics bats or add a layer of dense acoustic material over the floor.
The first option is the better one for airborne sound and will cost less in materials but will be a lot more work.
Over boarding is easier but decent acoustic boards are very expensive and raise floor levels.
The first option is the better one for airborne sound and will cost less in materials but will be a lot more work.
Over boarding is easier but decent acoustic boards are very expensive and raise floor levels.
In my old flat I lifted the floorboards and filled the void with acoustic mineral wool. I then laid a 3mm rubber matt on top of the existing floorboards then laid a 22mm t and g chipboard over the top and carpeted that. It made a huge difference to noise coming up from below.
I read for best improvement you should also pop off the skirting and refit after installation of the 'floating floor' but I didn't bother.
I had high ceilings so the extra floor height didn't cause a problem. I also had to take the doors off and shorten them.
I read for best improvement you should also pop off the skirting and refit after installation of the 'floating floor' but I didn't bother.
I had high ceilings so the extra floor height didn't cause a problem. I also had to take the doors off and shorten them.
We renovated our flat before moving in and I didn’t want to hear the downstairs neighbours. I removed the skirting boards, filled all the gaps with acoustic sealant, laid two layers of 2.5mm thick mass loaded vinyl perpendicular to each other, taped the seams of the vinyl, fitted new skirting boards, new carpet grippers, acoustic rated underlay and thick, heavy wool carpet.
We can’t hear anything from downstairs now.
We can’t hear anything from downstairs now.
Andeh1 said:
Sound can be like light in a dark room. Closed curtains that block out 95% still enable the room to be remarkable well lit from that 5% gap. This approach needs to be remembered when sound proofing a room!
This is very true - you can't skimp - you have to get really anal about gaps & filling in absolutely everything.I would say it’s basically impossible but the posters above have managed it. But eg at my flat you couldn’t install anything in the voids as like most converted houses it’s got pipes, wires, led lamp fittings etc all over the place. So is literally impossible to put the insulation between joists (unless you had gaps all over the place in which case it wouldn’t do anything worthwhile anyway).
Maybe the mass loaded vinyl is the best solution.
Maybe the mass loaded vinyl is the best solution.
I have had good results with putting down mineral loaded rubber (it’s basically a replacement for lead) - very dense.
Lay two layers of this at 90 degrees to each other so the joints doing overlap. As others have said pay close attention to the detailing around anything which goes through the floor. Then good thick carpet overlay and a decent thickness carpet. Should dull most of the noise.
Lay two layers of this at 90 degrees to each other so the joints doing overlap. As others have said pay close attention to the detailing around anything which goes through the floor. Then good thick carpet overlay and a decent thickness carpet. Should dull most of the noise.
To keep it simple:
Fill the void with 100mm Mineral Wool, the type with a density of 60kg/m3 or above
Change the floorboards to solid wood sheets e.g. plywood. Seal all gaps with sealant.
Fit good underlay and good carpets.
Alternatively look at the various floor solutions that are designed for sound proofing, these may be combinations of boards/mats/mlv.
Fill the void with 100mm Mineral Wool, the type with a density of 60kg/m3 or above
Change the floorboards to solid wood sheets e.g. plywood. Seal all gaps with sealant.
Fit good underlay and good carpets.
Alternatively look at the various floor solutions that are designed for sound proofing, these may be combinations of boards/mats/mlv.
Edited by hyphen on Saturday 20th February 10:23
I did all I could to address the issue without lifting the floorboards which in my mind is my responsibility. If the downstairs neighbours ever complained (they haven’t) I think below the floor boards is their responsibility.
They can fit rock wool insulation, choose light fittings that are sealed or covered with acoustic hoods or even fit extra insulation and a suspended ceiling. I’ve done my bit, if they want better sound proofing it’s up to them.
They can fit rock wool insulation, choose light fittings that are sealed or covered with acoustic hoods or even fit extra insulation and a suspended ceiling. I’ve done my bit, if they want better sound proofing it’s up to them.
Great advice thanks everybody,
I had another look this morning and as coolhands says there is too many pipes and wires to try and fill void.
Think I'm going to try filling all gaps, there is a lot which is probably a big part of the problem. I'm then going to try the mass vinyl as suggested on top followed by good underlay.
I had another look this morning and as coolhands says there is too many pipes and wires to try and fill void.
Think I'm going to try filling all gaps, there is a lot which is probably a big part of the problem. I'm then going to try the mass vinyl as suggested on top followed by good underlay.
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