If you live in an apartment building and multi-storey building, then noise from neighbors cannot be avoided. For comfortable stay in the apartment you need to decide main task– get rid of the neighbor’s noise from above, because any movement or noise creates the biggest problem, what sound insulation to choose for the ceiling in the apartment and what sound insulation is better.
To live comfortably in an apartment, you need to solve the main problem - to get rid of the neighbor's noise from above, because any movement or noise creates the biggest problem
The quality of sound insulation leaves much to be desired in any type of house: brick, block, panel and even monolithic. All at home united by one problem– poor interfloor sound insulation of floors. There is a separate section about soundproofing walls.
Noise from any source hits the ceiling, causing it, in turn, to vibrate and re-radiate noise into the apartment below. There is no escape from the mechanical impact on the interfloor partition.
How do ceiling soundproofing materials differ from each other?
For arranging a ceiling for sound insulation, materials with effective sound absorption are suitable. The arrangement of the ceiling is carried out using various methods; for each method, manufacturers of soundproofing materials have come up with their own option.
But no matter how good the noise-reducing material is, it must have the following properties:
- Soundproof– the sound wave is not absorbed, but reflected. The sound wave does not rock the ceiling because the material has decent mass and internal loss.
- Sound-absorbing– the sound wave is absorbed using special pore channels. The material has a fibrous composition, there is friction in the pores, which has the function of inhibiting the sound wave.
For arranging a ceiling for sound insulation, materials with effective sound absorption are suitable.
The sound wave may not penetrate the material, but it will rock and generate secondary noise, so it is better to use a structure with sound-absorbing material inside and massive sound-proofing material on the outside.
When choosing a material, you need to pay attention to the following indicators:
- Material thickness.
- Sound insulation coefficient.
- Flammability.
- Certificate of absence of substances harmful to the body.
How to choose the right material?
The following materials are considered the most popular today:
- mineral wool. Material made from raw materials with non-flammable properties. It does not shrink and can be purchased in sheets 5 cm thick.
- mineral slabs – comfortable material for use, and the soundproofing method with cotton wool is considered the most effective. But only the ceiling in this case will become lower by 15-20 cm. So the increased thickness ceiling structure- not always good option, especially if the ceiling height is not pleasing.
Another disadvantage of cotton wool is the danger to human health. High-quality insulation will be required so that the material does not have a negative impact on humans.
- polyurethane foam. The sound-absorbing material has a tight grip, so it can protect against impact and airborne noise. The material absorbs not only noise from neighbors, but also sounds from your apartment. The disadvantage of polyurethane foam is its toxicity in case of fire. Therefore, such soundproofing arrangement is considered dangerous.
- sealing self-adhesive tape. This material is made from environmentally friendly raw materials and perfectly retains heat in the house.
High-quality insulation will be required so that the material does not have a negative impact on humans.
A good option is the use of heat and sound insulating panels made from environmentally friendly pine wood fiber.
There are also alternative materials for soundproofing the ceiling. For covering the ceiling, for example, cork and foam sheets are used. Even when more modern materials, the love for traffic jams cannot be changed.
But cork soundproofing is only suitable if your neighbors are upstairs concrete screed or laminate, and the cork only saves you from impact noise. The screams of children, loud music, barking dogs - will be accessible to your hearing with cork sound insulation.
As soundproofing material You can use reed tiles and foam glass. For sound insulation they are sometimes used natural material: coconut fiber, peat, flax tow.
3 most successful ways to soundproof ceilings in an apartment
Even with good quality and the effectiveness of sound-absorbing material is of paramount importance process installation of the structure while understanding the physical processes of acoustics. There are no soundproofing materials for acoustics - There are soundproofing structures.
If the design is incorrect, the material will be of no use, so you need to choose an effective method of soundproofing ceilings and competently approach the technology for installing a noise-reducing frame.
Today, ceilings can be soundproofed in different ways: using soundproofing boards, using thermal insulation composition or suspended structure. Each method has its pros and cons, and is applicable in a specific case. To achieve a noise-reducing effect, the following conditions must be met:
The most popular method of soundproofing a ceiling is using soundproofing material. Used under drywall basalt wool, cork, polyurethane foam block or coconut fibers. The ceiling structure can be made in three versions:
- False ceiling made of plasterboard with a metal frame.
- with a film or fabric covering, which is stretched over special brackets.
Any of these options is installed according to the following scheme: installation of a vibration-isolated structure or an independent frame, then any sound-absorbing material, which is sheathed with plasterboard or hidden under an acoustic stretch ceiling.
NEW! An example of soundproofing a stretch ceiling with your own hands
When soundproofing a stretch ceiling, the main task is to fill the empty space between the floor slab and the stretch ceiling with a special sound-absorbing material, which:
- Provides maximum absorption of noise entering the room from neighbors
- Will dampen suspended ceiling so that it does not resonate
- Creates a favorable acoustic environment in the room and muffles noise entering the room
Sound insulation of a stretch ceiling implies high requirements for the environmental safety of the material, since when installing the canvas, holes remain through which harmful substances into a living space.
The optimal sound-absorbing material is MaxForte EcoAcoustic– white hypoallergenic polyester fiber boards or SoundPRO(thin 12mm new generation material). Both materials are environmentally friendly and do not contain harmful phenol-formaldehyde resins.
MaxForte EcoAcoustic
MaxForte SoundPRO
EcoAcoustic and SoundPRO differ in thickness, 50 mm and 12 mm, therefore, if there is no limitation on the thickness of sound insulation, EcoAcoustic is used, if you need to make it “thinner,” then SoundPRO is used.
Both materials are mounted in the same way:
- A stretch ceiling baguette is installed (what the canvas will be attached to next)
- Either MaxForte EcoAcoustic slabs or MaxForte SoundPRO rolls are fixed to the prepared ceiling surface (floor slabs). Fastening is carried out using ordinary dowel mushrooms.
- After the ceiling surface is completely covered with sound-absorbing material, the stretch ceiling itself is installed.
Advantage this method is to save height, since EcoAcoustic or SoundPRO fills the empty space between the floor slab and the suspended ceiling, thereby not taking away the height of the room.
Cost of soundproofing material for a room with an area of 18-19 m2:
Option 1
Option 2
Step-by-step guide: Soundproofing plasterboard ceilings
This method is popular among people who plan to install sound insulation with their own hands. Plasterboard slabs are easy to install, and you may not have any construction skills. This method does not require the use of a specific material; various soundproofing materials are suitable: mineral wool, polyurethane foam blocks, cork, coconut fiber, etc.
Do-it-yourself frame ceiling soundproofing performed according to the following scheme:
Soundproofing the ceiling is the whole system- “layer cake”, in which each “layer” performs its own task.
- A frame is assembled from a conventional ceiling metal profile (for example, KNAUF 60x27),
this is the future “skeleton” of sound insulation: what all other layers will be attached to. - The frame is attached to the ceiling using VibroStop PRO vibration suspensions. Their task is to break the rigid connection between the floor slab and the metal frame, and along the perimeter the profile guides are attached to the wall through 2 layers of damper tape (through which the drywall will later come into contact with the wall). As a result, vibrations (and sound is, first of all, vibration) will not transfer to the new plasterboard ceiling. More to the point in simple words, then the task of VibroStop PRO is to remove impact noise that arises from stomping, falling objects, and the grinding of furniture on the floor of neighbors above.
- Special acoustic plates are installed inside the mounted frame MaxForte ECOstove-60 they have a maximum class “A” for noise absorption, they remove airborne noise: screaming, crying, loud TV or music.
- Next, GVL sheets (gypsum fiber sheet) are attached to the metal profile. All sheet joints must be coated with vibroacoustic silicone non-hardening sealant.
- The last finishing layer is gypsum board sheets (plasterboard sheet). They are attached to the gypsum plasterboard, and the joints of the gypsum plasterboard and gypsum plasterboard are made staggered.
Cost of soundproofing and auxiliary materials for a room with an area of 18-19 m2
| Name | units change | quantity | price per piece, rub | total, rub |
| MaxForte-EcoPlate 60 kg/m3 | pack | 8 | 720 | 5 760 |
| Soundproofing mounts VibroStop PRO | pcs | 48 | 350 | 16 800 |
| Sealing tape MaxForte 100 (2 layers) | pcs | 2 | 850 | 1 700 |
| Sealant VibroAcoustic | pcs | 7 | 300 | 2 100 |
| Guide profile Knauf PN 27x28 | pcs | 3 | 129 | 387 |
| Ceiling profile Knauf PP 60x27 | pcs | 21 | 187 | 3 927 |
| Single-level connector type Crab | pcs | 50 | 19 | 950 |
| Profile extension | pcs | 8 | 19 | 152 |
| Self-tapping screw metal-metal 4.2x13 with prestress | kg | 1 | 330 | 330 |
| Self-tapping screw 3.5x25 (according to GVL) | kg | 2 | 300 | 600 |
| Self-tapping screw 3.5x35 (for metal) | kg | 2 | 250 | 500 |
| Wedge anchor 6/40 pack (100 pcs) | pack | 1 | 700 | 700 |
| Dowel-nail 6/40 pack (200 pcs) | pack | 1 | 250 | 250 |
| KNAUF sheet (GKL) (2.5m.x1.2m. 12.5mm.) | sheet | 7 | 290 | 2 030 |
| KNAUF sheet (GVL) (2.5m.x1.2m. 10mm.) | sheet | 7 | 522 | 3 654 |
| Bottom line | 39 840 | |||
Plasterboard slabs are easy to install, and you may not have any construction skills.
Tricks and secrets of sound insulation for suspended ceilings
Stretch ceilings provide a lot of advantages for the use of any soundproofing materials.
According to experts, a suspended ceiling is more effective in soundproofing a suspended structure. The acoustics are equalized in this case thanks to main feature stretch ceiling - sound dampening in a soft texture. The suspended ceiling serves as a resonator.
If you decide to install a suspended ceiling yourself, then the sound insulation will be the same as for a suspended structure or a plasterboard ceiling. The frame is made of slats or metal profile, a special material is glued into the resulting cells, and finally the fabric is stretched onto special brackets.
Stretch ceilings are effective in houses where builders used floor screeds.
Manufacturers are trying to simplify the technological process of installing a stretch ceiling, and now you can purchase acoustic material with a perforated surface. The new canvas has special micro-holes through which noise is neutralized more effectively.
An affordable and popular method is to cover the ceiling with slabs of mineral wool. It has been proven that such material can absorb up to 90% of noise, and installation of the structure is simple.
Ceiling installation with mineral wool slabs consists of special design installations, in the cells of which noise-insulating material is placed. After the frame is filled with cotton wool, the structure is sheathed with plasterboard. A smooth surface can be painted, plastered, or wallpapered.
Installation suspended ceiling You can do it yourself, how to do it? Installation instructions are the same as for soundproofing plasterboard ceilings:
- The space for the frame is marked.
- The suspended structure is assembled using slats or hangers.
- Soundproofing boards are installed in the resulting cells: mineral wool or fiberglass.
- The soundproofing material is hemmed with a decorative coating.
Installation of a suspended ceiling with mineral wool slabs can be done in another way:
If you stopped at suspension system, then it is most logical to use cotton wool; installation of polystyrene foam is also allowed. Only Styrofoam cannot be glued, over time it will move away from the ceiling, forming an empty space.
The suspended ceiling structure not only protects from noise, but also hides any unevenness, giving the ceiling a very beautiful appearance.
How else can you achieve results?
One way to solve the problem of soundproofing the ceiling is to install a “floating” floor in the apartment above. If you have good relationship with neighbors, then the simple technology has an excellent noise-absorbing effect.
The floor is covered with polyethylene foam in the form of granules, then covered with technical cork. The resulting structure is filled with a concrete solution, and after drying, the floor covering is installed.
You can use a rolled substrate with a polyethylene foam base as floor sound insulation or use compositions based on polymer fibers.
Ceiling soundproofing cost
The construction services market offers more and more new products. Many companies can install not just a specific ceiling, but an entire comprehensive soundproofing system, which will use different types of material.
Prices for soundproofing work depend on the type of surface, installation option and level of noise reduction. For example, if you are planning to install an acoustic suspended ceiling, you will have to pay 240-600 rubles for square meter.
Most inexpensive option soundproofing— installation of a two-level ceiling structure made of plasterboard. The cost of the work will depend on the method of sound insulation and the choice of material.
The price for soundproofing a turnkey ceiling will cost an average of 1,500 rubles per square meter. If sound insulation is needed to create a special room, for example, to build a recording studio, then the cost soundproofing works will increase.
The ceiling is the main area in the apartment through which noise penetrates. The problem of “noise from the neighbor above” can be solved by the method of partial sound insulation: installing a soundproof suspended ceiling structure.
But soundproofing the ceiling will not always help get rid of the problem; most likely, you will need to protect the walls and floor from noise and sounds penetrating into the room from all sides.
Video instructions
(thickness 4-5 cm)
The basic option for ceiling sound insulation is frameless systems in which a layer of sound insulation is laid either under suspended ceilings or under panel ceilings Armstrong type. Efficiency is achieved due to increased sound absorption in the room: noise transmitted from neighbors decays faster, since the sound insulation layer on the ceiling prevents the sound wave from undergoing multiple reflections (as a result of which it would be amplified), on the contrary, leading to rapid attenuation of the latter. MaxForte-EcoAcoustic slabs, EKOplate (3 and 5 cm thick) or MaxForte-SoundPRO roll material can be used as a sound-absorbing layer. The ceiling is covered with sound insulation over the entire area, and the materials are fastened to the ceiling using plastic dowels or MaxForte-SoundFLEX foam. Simple and quick installation will allow sound insulation to be carried out by a regular team working on site. Ideal for new buildings and offices (including call centers).
(thickness 4-5 cm)
The thinnest option for ceiling soundproofing using plasterboard and profiles. Ideal for apartments with low ceilings when every centimeter counts. The scheme is based on the KNAUF 60/27 mm profile, which allows you to immediately obtain flat surface ceiling. For sound insulation, MaxForte-SoundPRO rolls are used ( composite material new generation, only 12 mm thick), which are fixed to the ceiling using conventional dowel mushrooms. Where the frame is attached to the concrete, SoundPRO is compressed and acts as a vibration damper. Over the rest of the ceiling area, the material works to absorb sound waves due to its fibrous structure. The increased flexibility of SoundPRO allows you to soundproof ceilings even with complex terrain (with pipes, wiring or height differences). Reducing noise from above by 3-4 times (12-14 dB).
(thickness 4-5 cm)
The second option is thin ceiling sound insulation. In this option, impact noise is isolated by VibroStop Standart vibration suspensions, and the sound is absorbed by MaxForte-ECOslab 80 kg/m³ (thin slabs 3 cm). The scheme is based on the KNAUF profile 60/27 mm, which allows you to obtain a flat ceiling surface. After installation, the ceiling is ready for finishing, no additional alignment is required. The circuit is designed to completely isolate household noise in an apartment building (voices, TV, steps and stomping). Noise reduction up to 14 dB.
(thickness 7-8 cm)
The most proven soundproofing option used in apartments. For vibration isolation, special MaxForte vibration suspensions of the PRO series are used. Sound absorption is carried out by sound-absorbing slabs MaxForte-EKOplit or EcoAcoustic. Soundproofing of the ceiling is carried out according to standard KNAUF schemes, so any workers involved in repairs can handle the installation. Both airborne and impact noise are removed equally effectively (noise reduction up to 20 dB)!
You can easily live without friends, but you can’t live without neighbors. And the moral and aesthetic satisfaction from a just-stretched stretch ceiling can easily be spoiled by rapid and very persistent musical trills from somewhere above. At such moments it is easy to believe in the well-known saying that it is easier to hide from the devil than from noisy neighbors, but it’s not necessary: if you properly soundproof the ceiling in an apartment under a suspended ceiling, then you can even make friends with them.
Sound waves in modern apartment buildings are born from every little thing and spread quite unhindered if nothing is opposed to them. Air gap, which is located between the base of the ceiling and the stretched fabric, has certain soundproofing properties, but does not protect against noise as well as we would like.
There is only one way out - pick up suitable material, successfully absorbing sound waves and thereby preventing their active propagation. 
What are the requirements for this type of material?
- Sound absorption coefficient- the higher, the better, of course.
- Material thickness- to avoid reducing the height of ceilings in the room.
- Convenience and safety of installation- the sound absorber should not interfere with the installation of the canvas.
- Light weight- Very important indicator in the case of suspended ceilings.
- Compliance with hygiene requirements- confirmed by research and the corresponding certificate.
The most common materials for sound insulation under suspended ceilings
Mineral wool
One of the most popular materials used for soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment under a suspended ceiling. 
- doesn't rot
- doesn't light up
- easy to install
- additional protection from the cold
- affordable price
Other disadvantages we note:
- hygroscopicity - under the influence of moisture it swells and may lose its shape; this problem is solved by using a special vapor barrier membrane.
- potential overheating of the wiring - eliminates the use of now popular recessed lamps
Consider the following soundproofing brands: Shumanet BM, Rockwool.
Expanded polystyrene
- easy
- elastic
- moisture resistant
- reasonable price
- basic installation
On sale you can find both fairly thin slabs of expanded polystyrene - only 20 millimeters, and 10 cm. In the latter case, you will be most protected from sounds coming from outside, but you will have to pay for this by lowering the ceiling level.
Manufacturers of this material are actively working to improve the noise absorption coefficient, but the fact remains: in a dispute with mineral wool in terms of the most important indicator (sound insulation), it loses outright.
Cork sheets and wood boards
- environmental friendliness
- excellent sound absorption
- low thickness of cork sheets
- moisture resistance
- low thermal conductivity coefficient
Compared to cork sheets, wood boards are slightly cheaper, but at the same time they are inferior in terms of noise absorption coefficient. The thickness is also a little alarming - it reaches 20 centimeters.
Dowels are used to install wood-based panels, and the joints can be quickly and reliably filled with any sealant.
Acoustic membranes
- thickness 3-4 mm
- density and flexibility of the material
- Impeccable isolation of high-frequency and low-frequency sounds
- not afraid of high temperatures
- reliable flammability class
- environmentally friendly and safe for use in residential premises
True, it costs more than rolled mineral wool and basalt slabs. For example, acoustic slabs that have a good reputation among repairmen TECSOUND will cost you approximately 1 thousand rubles per square meter.
In some cases, for sound insulation, the combined use of similar aragonite membranes with fibrous mineral wool is observed. Let's put a fly in the ointment: as a rule, acoustic membranes, due to their considerable weight, require support with a frame and are not as easy to install as some of the other sound absorbers we discussed above. 
Before fixing the soundproofing material, the ceiling surface should be prepared, ridding it of everything that could interfere with the correct fixation of the sheet or slab. To do this, completely remove the damaged coating, clean it with a very hard brush from the debris that inevitably appears as a result of these actions, and then prime the surface again, carefully treating the corners and joints of the ceiling with the walls. If the coating of your ceiling is perfect, then you can safely skip this moment.
The wall profile used for installing a stretch ceiling conducts noise well, so before installation it is advisable to stick soundproofing tape on it. After installation you can easily remove protective film and continue covering with sound absorber according to the standard procedure.
There are two types of installation of ceiling sound insulation in an apartment under a suspended ceiling - frame And adhesive. Mandatory frame support requires the use of heavy-weight acoustic membranes, as we discussed above. In all other cases of installing ceiling soundproofing in an apartment under a suspended ceiling, the final choice remains at your discretion.
If a chandelier will be used to illuminate the room, then do not forget about the need to remove the hook through the sound insulation for subsequent installation of the lamp.
Do not rush to immediately cover the ceiling with the material you just brought - your desire to soundproof the ceiling in an apartment under a suspended ceiling as quickly as possible is understandable, but you should still give the material some time for the so-called acclimatization.
When installing sound insulation in an apartment under a suspended ceiling, pay attention to the joints. Any soundproofing material requires close contact of adjacent slabs and reliable sealing of the joints. For the latter, any soundproofing sealants found in wide range in construction supermarkets.
Conclusion
Soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment under a suspended ceiling is just the first stage to protect your living space from extraneous sounds. In order to completely eliminate the dependence of your mood on the behavior of your neighbors, you also need to work hard on soundproofing the walls. However, this does not in any way negate its importance. As you can see, the industry offers a wide range of soundproofing materials that allow, without any conflict with tension fabric qualitatively protect you from excessive noise. When choosing, you always sacrifice something: in the case of mineral wool, for example, the impossibility of installing built-in lamps and lowering the ceiling level; in the version with high-quality and thin acoustic membranes - weighting of the mounting structure. Choosing a cork will require significantly higher material costs from you. Compare all the pros and cons of soundproofing materials we have given, make a choice and get to work!Noise from upstairs neighbors often annoys residents apartment buildings. Sounds from a TV or music center, loud speech and stomping interfere with normal rest and poison life. It’s good if overly active neighbors soundproof the floor - this method is the most effective for eliminating interfloor noise. But more often you have to solve this problem yourself with the help of soundproofing ceilings.
Types of noise and methods of their propagation
Noises that annoy neighbors can be divided into two types; the preferred type of soundproofing material depends on their type.
There are noises:
- air, these include speech, sounds from audio equipment, musical instruments; such noises travel primarily through the air and are clearly audible through thin and porous partitions and ceilings;
- structural, or shock - they occur when walking, falling objects, moving furniture, as well as during the operation of vibrating household devices, for example, a refrigerator; Such noises propagate through solid materials, and the intensity of their propagation is 12 times higher than in air.
The level of airborne noise is regulated by SanPiN 2.1.2.2645-10 “Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for living conditions in residential buildings and premises” and is 40 dB in daytime and 30 dB at night. Neighbors who play loud music at night can be disciplined with the help of the police. Structural noise is periodic in nature, so it is difficult to measure and prove that its level is exceeded. The only way to avoid them is to soundproof the room.
SanPiN 2.1.2.2645-10 “Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for living conditions in residential buildings and premises.” File for download.
Since structural noise is transmitted throughout building structures, soundproofing the ceiling may not be enough, and you will also have to insulate the walls. However, installing a soundproofing layer on the ceiling significantly reduces the penetration of extraneous irritating sounds.
Why do you need soundproofing of a stretch ceiling?
It is believed that suspended ceilings themselves are a sound barrier, significantly reducing noise. But, as practice shows, this is not always the case. Under certain conditions, a suspended ceiling can play the role of a speaker, which will repeatedly amplify the vibrations of the floors, as a result, sounds emanating from neighbors above will be transmitted downward with amplification.
This situation is possible in several cases:
- with a significant size of cracks, crevices and gaps in interfloor ceilings through which airborne noise penetrates - music, speech;
- when the distance from the base ceiling to the suspended ceiling is more than 5 cm, which is possible in case of large unevenness of the floors;
- when attaching structures not to the walls, but to the ceiling, for example, in combined multi-level ceilings; in this case, the fastening elements play the role of sound bridges through which vibrations and impact noise are transmitted.
To ensure that you get rid of noise, it is better to soundproof it with modern materials even at the stage of preparing the ceiling for finishing.
Stretch ceilings do not always cope with sound insulation
Types of ceiling sound insulation
For effective ceiling soundproofing, materials that can absorb all types of noise are suitable. According to the degree of rigidity, they are divided into several groups.
- Solid- based on compressed mineral wool with the inclusion of natural porous materials such as perlite or vermiculite.
- Semi-rigid- slabs with a fibrous cellular structure based on mineral and basalt wool.
- Soft- fiberglass, mineral or basalt wool in the form of rolls, two or three layers, coated with a material that facilitates installation and prevents dusting of the fibers.
Table No. 1. Comparative characteristics these materials.
As can be seen from the table, as the density decreases, the sound absorption coefficient increases. It is important to know that low-density materials are more difficult to install: hard soundproofing materials can be attached with glue, semi-rigid materials will require installation of a frame or fastening with special dowels, while soft materials must be pulled to the ceiling with twine.
When choosing a material, one more feature should be taken into account: the higher the density of the material, the better it absorbs low frequencies - the sound from a working refrigerator, subwoofer. Sound absorption of high-frequency and mid-frequency noise, which includes speech, singing and music, on the contrary, deteriorates.
It is worth analyzing which sounds annoy you the most and choose the density of the material based on this.
The most popular soundproofing materials
To facilitate the choice of material, you need to compare the characteristics of sound insulators that have proven themselves in the construction market.
Table No. 2. The most popular materials and their descriptions.
| Name | Type and purpose | Sound absorption | Thickness, mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal roll composite material for protection against airborne and impact noise. Ceramic fiber coated with spandbond on both sides. | Up to 65 dB | 12 |
| Basalt fiber. From all types of noise. | Coefficient: 0.92 for 50 mm 0.95 for 100 mm | 50 or 100 |
| Rolled composite material, needle-punched fiberglass, covered with spandbond on both sides. From all types of noise. | 28-33 dB Coefficient - up to 0.87 | 10, 12 or 14 |
| Slab sound insulator based on basalt wool. | Coefficient - 0.8 | 50 |
| Rubber-like membrane material based on argonite, one side covered with spandbond, minimal thickness. | 28 dB | 3,7 |
What materials should not be used
Soundproofing ceilings has its own characteristics; because of this, the use of some materials can be useless and sometimes harmful.
- Polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam. These popular and easy-to-use materials, which have good thermal insulation properties, are completely unsuitable for soundproofing ceilings. They have a porous, windproof structure, which is why the sound does not dampen, and in some cases it even increases. Expanded polystyrene can be used as a sound insulator only when constructing floors to protect against impact sounds.
- Cork. This material is good for soundproofing floors and as a backing for floor coverings, but it will be almost useless for dampening noise from neighbors above.
- Rolled mineral wool without low density coating. The sound insulation properties of this material are quite good, but installing it on the ceiling is inconvenient: for good sound insulation it is necessary to ensure a tight fit of the acoustic material to the base ceiling and a gap of about 20 mm to the suspended ceiling. Loose material will sag; you will have to attach it to special dowels, located quite often. As a result, many sound bridges are formed that perfectly conduct impact noise, which will make sound insulation ineffective.
Calculation of the required amount of materials
The required amount of soundproofing material is calculated based on the area of the room. It must be divided by the area of the insulated surface indicated on the packaging of the material, and the result obtained must be rounded up.
For example, if the area of the room is 20 m², and the area of the insulating mats in the package is 7.2 m², then you will need 20/7.2 = 2.77 packages. After rounding to the nearest whole number, there will be 3 packages of material.
It is convenient to do the calculation on a sheet of paper with a floor plan depicted to scale - this makes it easier to draw the layout of the material and avoid unnecessary cuttings and joints of insulation. It should be remembered that each gap increases sound permeability.
For best effect the insulation is laid in two and sometimes three layers with the seams offset so that the second row completely covers the joints of the first. In this case, the resulting amount of material must be multiplied by the number of layers.
Preparing the ceiling for installation of sound insulation
Before starting soundproofing work, it is necessary to prepare the ceiling, which will help avoid peeling of the soundproofing boards. They do this in the following sequence:
After preparing the ceiling, you can begin installing sound insulation using one of the technologies below.
Installation of thin composite sound insulation with glue
The method is suitable for attaching sound insulation such as Maxforte Standard, Termozvukoizol, Texound 70, as well as for slab materials based on low density basalt.
Advantages of the method:
- high installation speed;
- reliability.
- additional costs for glue;
- toxicity.
Required materials and tools:
- aerosol glue in a can;
- knife for cutting material;
- roulette.
Installation technology
Important! When working, it is advisable to use a respirator and regularly ventilate the room.
Installation of slab semi-rigid sound insulation with glue
This method is suitable for slab soundproofing materials, such as Maxforte EcoPlita and Shumanet BM, with a density of at least 30 kg/m³.
Advantages of the method:
- saving time - no need to install the sheathing;
- minimum gaps and sound-conducting elements;
- ease of installation.
- extra costs for glue and dowels.
Required tools and materials:
- cement or gypsum based adhesive;
- spatula for applying glue;
- sharp knife for cutting slabs;
- roulette;
- drill or hammer drill;
- special plastic dowels of the “mushroom” type, 5 pieces per slab.
Installation technology
- Prepare the ceiling using the above technology. Wait for the primer to dry completely.
- Mixed required quantity glue according to the instructions on the package.
- Apply glue to the slab over the entire surface in a thin and even layer using a spatula.
- Laying the slabs begins from one of the walls, fitting them tightly to each other.
- Additionally, the slabs are secured using mushroom dowels. To do this, holes are drilled directly through the glued slabs with a depth of 50-60 mm greater than the thickness of the insulation. Drive dowels into them, 5 pieces per slab - in the corners and in the center. The dowel head should press the slab tightly.
- Wait for the glue to dry and begin installing the stretch ceiling.
Important! If you plan to install a stretch ceiling made of perforated acoustic fabric, it is necessary to insulate the slabs using a vapor barrier film and only then secure them with dowels. Otherwise, over time, basalt fibers will begin to penetrate into the room, which is unfavorable for health.
Installation of sound insulation on the frame
This method is suitable for slab or roll materials based on basalt and mineral wool or fiberglass of any thickness, including multilayer construction.
An example of installing sound insulation on a metal frame using a “100 dB Lux” membrane
An example of installing sound insulation on a metal frame using matte insulator “ThermoZvukoIzol”
Advantages of the method:
- there is no need to drill the ceiling for mushroom dowels - the material is laid flat and holds tightly;
- You can build a structure of any thickness.
- unnecessary expenditure of time and money on the construction of the frame.
Required materials and tools:
- frame guides made of wooden block or galvanized metal profile;
- damper tape made of foamed polyethylene to dampen impact noise;
- drill or hammer drill and dowels for fastening the frame;
- metal scissors or jigsaw for cutting frame material;
- knife for cutting insulation;
- tape measure, marker.
Installation technology
Important! For multi-layer sound insulation, the frame can be made like this: fasten the first row of guides along the room, the second - across, on top of the first layer of laid sound insulation. This will completely close the gaps and create additional acoustic isolation.
Installation of low-density sound insulation
When using mats or rolls based on low-density mineral wool, you may encounter the problem of sagging of the material. It is solved by securing soundproofing mats with dowels and twine.
Installation technology
- A timber frame is mounted on the prepared ceiling using the method described above.
- Soundproofing mats or rolls are placed between the frame bars.
- A vapor barrier film is laid on top of the soundproofing layer, securing it to the frame bars using a construction stapler.
- Additionally, the structure is secured with dowels at the rate of 5-6 pieces per square meter of ceiling.
- To avoid caking and sagging of mineral wool, a cord or twine is pulled between the dowels, creating a lattice or mesh over the entire surface of the ceiling.
Important! The cord or twine should not stretch, so it is better to choose nylon or other synthetic material.
After completing the soundproofing work, you can begin installing a stretch ceiling made of fabric or PVC film. You can do this yourself or with the assistance of specialists. In this case, the gap between the sound insulation layer and the suspended ceiling should be at least 2 cm.
For best protection from noise, you can additionally use modern fabric-based acoustic materials to install a stretch ceiling. The basis of such fabric is a polyester mesh; at the first stage of production, it is filled with polyurethane, and after the film has formed, microscopic holes are made in it.
Passing through the holes, the sound changes its frequency and intensity to values \u200b\u200bthat are not perceived by the human ear, and is partially absorbed. The cost of such film is slightly higher than ordinary materials for suspended ceilings, but their soundproofing properties are much better.
Most famous manufacturers acoustic stretch ceilings - Clipso and Cerutti companies. In addition to eliminating sounds emanating from the ceiling, they also dampen sound vibrations from equipment located inside the room, which will allow you not to disturb your neighbors at a later time.
Properly performed sound insulation does not lose effectiveness for a long time, and does not require repair or replacement throughout the entire service life of the stretch ceiling. Installing sound insulation under a suspended ceiling will allow you to enjoy peace and quiet at any time of the day and find long-awaited comfort.
Video - Soundproofing a suspended ceiling
What types of noise are there?
As a rule, neighbors upstairs disturb not only loud speech, music or the TV, but also sounds of a different nature. Footsteps, stomping, clattering noises from pets' claws, hitting the floor with a ball and other similar noises are considered shock noises. Unlike airborne ones, they have a different distribution pattern.
- Airborne - collides with a wall or floor as an alien medium, which significantly absorbs it.
- The impact occurs directly on the surface and spreads further along the concrete along all adjacent walls.
This type of sound wave propagation is called structural. Due to the different nature of percussion and air types, methods of dealing with them differ. What works for one type of noise may not work so well for another.
Why can I hear everything that is happening at my neighbors?
Today, during the design and subsequent construction of houses, a certain sound insulation index has already been established, which is determined by the massiveness of the floors. For example, the hollow-core 140 mm reinforced concrete slab airborne noise insulation index Rw=50 dB. In this case, it is assumed that an additional leveling screed will be made. With an added thickness of 4-6 cm, another Rw=2 dB is added.
As a result, we obtain the final index recommended by SNiP in Rw = 52 dB, specified in the current edition of the “Code of Rules for Noise Protection” (SP 51-13330-2011). This is quite enough not to hear a conversation in the usual tone, the volume of which is 40-45 dB. But in order to completely drown out loud conversations (70 dB), laughter and screams (75 dB), loud music or home theater (from 70 to 90 dB) - this is clearly no longer enough. It turns out that for acoustic comfort, the initial Rw index of the structure must be increased by 15-20 dB.
There is also shock-type noise. Unfortunately, SNiP does not necessarily require the installation of floating screeds on the floor of neighbors. That's why we hear people walking in high heels, children running, or pets clicking their claws.
Problems can be solved by installing sound insulation in your apartment, which provides a total Rw index in the range from 65 to 72 dB.
How to make soundproofing from neighbors above?
The most popular complaint from residents of high-rise buildings is loud noises from neighbors above. Decide this problem you can do it in 2 ways: by making insulation inside your room or from the neighbor above. The second option will be much more effective, since with the correct implementation of floating floor technology it allows you to get rid of both impact and airborne noise.
If it is not possible to agree on installing a floating floor in the room above, then soundproofing the ceiling from neighbors may be enough to eliminate airborne noise. It is worth using suspended ceilings with sound insulation on a separate frame; acoustic sheets themselves are ineffective. They are designed to reduce echoes inside your room.
To combat airborne noise, thinner systems are sufficient, which practically do not reduce the height of the room. We present them as “Thin” and “Optima”.
Installation of a floating floor for neighbors
Frame construction in your apartment
If you are concerned about noise of impact origin, which is more characterized by indirect sound transmission along adjacent floors and walls, you will need to understand the channels of its propagation. It will be especially problematic if the upper residents have tiles or laminate on the floor without a floating screed or even a backing. In this case, the walls are an additional conductor of extraneous sounds. Therefore, in addition to soundproofing the ceiling, an apartment will most likely need to soundproof several walls.
The nature of indirect transmission of sound waves for different rooms different. It depends on the types of enclosing structures, what materials they are made of, and how they are connected to each other. You can independently determine which walls transmit sounds from neighbors the strongest. To do this, when there are particularly loud sounds from neighbors above, place your ear to all the walls in turn. Those walls where you can especially clearly hear what is happening above you also need to be insulated.
