Soundproofing a concrete ceiling?

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I bought my first home in a 1960s apartment building just shy of three months ago. While I love that everything is solid brick/ concrete, I can hear the owners above me. I'm on the ground floor and can hear them watching TV, walking, muffled talking, preparing dinner, the dog moving about etc. I don't think they are louder than the average middle aged couple (I haven't met them yet properly so don't know for sure!) but it is very distracting. Our apartments all have the same layout so my living room is the loudest room (they are always watching tv on it).

The ceiling is also concrete (that in itself is a challenge) so I am seriously considering dropping the ceiling (its currently 2550mm high) and packing the gap with soundproofing material.

So I have a couple of questions:

What is the average amount one loses when dropping the ceiling for soundproofing purposes?
Does soundproofing my ceiling benefit me? Or just my neighbours above?
What sort of costs could I be looking at (I would just want to do two bedrooms and lounge room- combined the space would be around 40 square metres)?

Comment (1)

PRO
Dr Retro House Calls
2 years ago
The way that sound travels is a science. I would suggest that you engage an acoustic engineer to assess the situation and make recommendations and research flanking sound transmission. If it is voices and TV noise that you can hear it may becoming via the windows or vertical ducts that contain plumbing, rather than through a concrete slab. If they were tap dancing on their parquetry then it would transfer through the slab. I would be looking to identify the travel path of the sound before spending big money on sound insulating your ceiling, and losing height, which may not solve the problem. They could also be slightly deaf and speak to each other loudly!

Best of luck

Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls and Dr Retro Virtual Visits via Zoom
Shaun thanked Dr Retro House Calls
Related Discussions
How do I soundproof / insulate my apartment floor?
Q
Comments (3)
Unfortunately sound travels through structure as well as air. In fact sometimes better through structure depending on the frequency. We have used a product called Regupol which is a recycled rubber mat product that has great sound deadening qualities. However in your situation the existing floor boards would need to be removed, a thin sheet of ply laid down and then the Regupol placed on the ply before relaying your existing floor boards. this would give separation from the floor joists and your floor boards. Filling the cavity with an insulation type product or egg creates will not give you the desired affect. Have a look here http://www.regupol.com.au/au/
...See More
removing stipple treatment from concrete ceiling
Q
Comments (2)
Suggest you also do a search on Houzz as this question has come up before. Long story short you need to check whether there is any asbestos involved before disturbing the ceiling. Once you're clear on that front it's spray with water and scrape, scrape, scrape. It's a very messy, laborious job apparently but worth it to get a non popcorn ceiling. Other (less messy) option is to batten and Gyprock the ceiling, if you have enough height clearance.
...See More
Polished concrete in hallway yes or no?
Q
Comments (10)
I've just come from a showing where an old timber house was lifted with downstairs built in modern with all polished concrete. They also had a concrete kitchen bench but kept upstairs traditional with VJ board walls and ceiling and carpeted floors. In my opinion is did not work, was a confusing mix of industrial with traditional. It almost felt cheap as if the builder couldn't be bothered to spend more on timber floors or even tile - even though the polished concrete could very well have cost more. I think dark timber is definitely your best option as it will blend better with the cornices and skirtings. Hope that helps.
...See More
Concrete over concrete
Q
Comments (2)
Slabs (and their reinforcement steel) should be designed by a structural engineer who will base the design on the soil conditions - this means that it is impossible to say from a photo if it will work or not. It also depends on the condition of the existing concrete. If the old slab cracks or moves there is a good chance the new slab will do the same. Most structural engineers (who are usually cautious and conservative) would suggest that you remove the old slab as they don't want to be responsible for any cracking in the new slab if the old slab fails with the extra weight that it was not designed for. If you want a higher ceiling to your alfresco area then consider a new flyover roof like this one, which overlaps the existing roof at a higher level. Best of luck, Dr Retro House Calls
...See More

Soundproofing a concrete ceiling?

Comment (1)

Dr Retro House Calls

Related Discussions

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US