Soundproofing

[Aescott]

Wife and I have bought a small flat on the Clyde coast. It's an upper conversion and the entire house was recently renovated before being sold.

Our downstairs neighbours are very pleasant and are not particularly noisy - but we can be aware of noise from their TV, or doors closing. Like I said, they are not noisy, but ordinary living does cause noise. I'm sure they'll be able to hear us in the flat. Problem is compounded by the fact that our main home is a detached sandstone house where it is hard to hear anything further away than the next room.

We are wondering about whether it would be worth lifting the floors and upgrading the standard sound-proofing that is there. I suppose total silence is not a realistic option, but I'd appreciate any advice that others could perhaps give.

 

[Drago]

Thick carpet with a meaty underlay?

 

[Electric_Andy]

Might be worth doing some more research, maybe a DIY forum? It could be that the sound reverberates through the walls as well, so doing the floor might be only half of it. The two options I can think of are specialist sound insulation under the boards, and/or carpet underlay. But I'd hate to do all that and find the floor is only half the issue

 

[Electric_Andy]

Just had a look on DIY forum. Apparently 100mm Rock wool is what you want under the boards. And a good/dedicated carpet underlay

 

[Animo]

Cover the floor in a load of old egg boxes. Only problem is you won't then be able to walk on it.

 

[markemark]

Cover the floor in a load of old egg boxes. Only problem is you won't then be able to walk on it.

And if you left the eggs in you'd find yourself too hesitant to say anything because you’d be walking on, you know…..

 

[raleighnut]

The Answer

amps

• raleighnut
• 21 Jan 2016
• 3

Nice big pair of speakers and you'll never hear them again,

 

[rikki]

Are you worried about hearing them, or them hearing you?

 

[Beebo]

If it’s a recent conversion/renovation you would expect that the regulations for sound proofing have already been met.
Total silence is a converted house will be almost impossible to achieve.

 

[Gillstay]

Good underlay and check for any bodges from the builders while the carpet is up. Once took the trim off a big double glazed window to lessen draughts and found an inch gap at one point which just looked like a ragged letterbox to the outside world.

 

[Aescott]

Thanks all. Might contact the builder who did the work - he has a good rep in the area

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Lots of specialist acoustic insulation products to go under floor coverings. Worth speaking to a specialist.

 

[CXRAndy]

Wife and I have bought a small flat on the Clyde coast. It's an upper conversion and the entire house was recently renovated before being sold.

Our downstairs neighbours are very pleasant and are not particularly noisy - but we can be aware of noise from their TV, or doors closing. Like I said, they are not noisy, but ordinary living does cause noise. I'm sure they'll be able to hear us in the flat. Problem is compounded by the fact that our main home is a detached sandstone house where it is hard to hear anything further away than the next room.

We are wondering about whether it would be worth lifting the floors and upgrading the standard sound-proofing that is there. I suppose total silence is not a realistic option, but I'd appreciate any advice that others could perhaps give.

Any void under floors filled with rock wool or insulation beads. Connecting walls double battens with sound deadening rock wool panels, plasterboard then do it again. Lay thick underlay under carpets. Basically seal up any connecting void.

The important aspect dont seal up anything that requires ventilation or damp and rot will set in

We haven't lived in a semi or terraced for over 30 years. We cherish our peace and quiet

 

[simongt]

Being pedantic, is there realistically such a thing as 'soundproof' outside laboratory conditions without going to a huge expense - ?
Sound deadening yes, but actual soundproofing - ?
I suppose it rather depends on what sounds you wish to eliminate.
Just sayin' - !

 

[Electric_Andy]

Being pedantic, is there realistically such a thing as 'soundproof' outside laboratory conditions without going to a huge expense - ?
Sound deadening yes, but actual soundproofing - ?
I suppose it rather depends on what sounds you wish to eliminate.
Just sayin' - !

That's a good point. There are many materials and kits marketed as sound-proofing. Some of those boards you stick to the wall for example, they don't block any of the noise coming in or going out, they just prevent echoes. Useful if you do sound recording but not much use for anythign else. The best thing you can do is put material between two surfaces. Sound proofing would be possible but the thickness of material required would be far too great to be economical or practical