Working on the ceiling is one of the most difficult tasks of any do-it-yourselfer, principally because work is done upside down. When you want to construct a soundproof ceiling, you first have to decide if you are up to the task. If not, you might want to shell out some dough to hire a contractor. Peterborough
It may cost more than actually doing it yourself, but you'll at least come up with the outcome that you had in mind.
Why it's better to work from the floor above
One of the most common complaints from apartment tenants is the loud noise coming from the residents on the floor above them. This can be anything from loud music or the sound of shoes on the floor. If this is the case, it is recommended that you first work on the floor above before installing a false ceiling at your level.
The equipment for a soundproof ceiling
The equipment needed for this are the so-called flexible resilient bars which are used together with acoustic membranes or soundproofing mats, acoustic mineral wool or quilt, and plasterboard.
The resilient bars are the only genuine solution to the problem of noise from overhead and is much more effective than merely adding a layer of plasterboard to your ceiling. For a soundproof ceiling, the existing structure should not be attached to the new ceiling or should be isolated as far as possible from it.
First, remove the plasterboard and use mineral wool to fill in the cavity between the ceiling and the floor above. Next, fix the resilient bars to the battens or joists. You should then attach two layers of plasterboard, measuring 12. 5 mm or thicker. For better performance, the seams in the first layer should be overlapped by the sheets of the second layer.
In addition, make sure the plasterboard's edges are not touching the existing walls. Instead, the gap between the walls and the plasterboard should be filled with acoustic sealant.
For a higher-quality soundproof ceiling, dampen the plasterboard by placing a layer of acoustic membrane between the two plasterboard sheets. This adds up to 5-8 decibels to the soundproof ceiling's overall performance as there is a considerable reduction in structural vibrations.
If you can't perform this method due to restrictions on the type of ceiling you are working with, then the only way to work around this is to attach a layer of acoustic membrane on your ceiling, and screw on a plasterboard sheet. Make sure that the seams and the perimeter are well-sealed. This soundproof ceiling method cannot effectively reduce impact noise, but it can do something about airborne noise.
Creating an efficient soundproof ceiling largely depends on the type of materials used, the quality of your workmanship, and the method used. Again, if you think you can handle the job of creating a soundproof ceiling on your own, then by all means, go for it. Just follow to the letter the step-by-step directions on soundproof ceiling tutorials which can be found in many sites on the Web.
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