Sound proofing ceiling before plaster

10 months ago

last modified: 10 months ago

Hi there

We are close to plaster stage for a modest renovation of an apartment of sorts - small bedroom/bath/living area underneath an old house with floorboards throughout (basically replacing new for old).

Im concerned to minimise footfall and general people noise from the main house into this downstairs area. We have already installed pinkbatts between the joists. One challenge is that the height of the apartment is tight i.e. I don’t think we can go for double layer plasterboard.

To add to the one layer plasterboard, so far I’m considering a layer of mass loaded vinyl / MLV across the joists, followed by the plaster. I’ve also looked at green glue, which seems to be promoted mostly for application between plasterboard sheets?

Given the height limitations, wondering about thoughts on MLV or the green glue (or both) as most suitable options? And approach to installation (eg joists, mlv stapled, green glue, plaster)?

We have a very competent builder doing the work but he’s a bit old school and may not have done much soundproofing work, so I’m keen to come to him with a clear idea first.

Budget isn’t set yet - I’m exploring technically feasible options that I can pursue and price (but ideally it wouldn’t add more than $1-2k in materials?). Total ceiling area to treat is about 9x4.5m and I may have to settle for a portion of that.

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Comments (6)

siriuskey
10 months ago
I think pink bats are an old insulation, there are newer materials available,, a much narrower board could be set between the floor joists to help with ceiling height.

A simple place to star would be Bunnings. I remember Better Homes and Gardens using a product in a Container fit out which was very slim .
siriuskey
10 months ago
Foil board is the product they used

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNDuh36N7B4
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You never mentioned your budget that you're willing to spend. You could add a thicker fill backed insulation blanket - 50mm, 75mm or 100mm are the common thicknesses. Steep roof pitch so would need scaffolding, harnesses, etc.. which adds up quickly. Probably still not enough insulation though but probably cheapest option. Insulation under existing timber linings then reline over the top of that as some have suggested. Working at height though so would need scaffold set up again and working overhead is not fun nor easy. You could replace the roof with a sandwich panel roof. Try Versiclad or Kingspan or comparable. They have a polystyrene type of insulation between an outer metal roof sheet and a metal inner sheet. These are heat laminated together. Again different thickness available from 50mm up to 180mm is common. The 180mm has a R rating of 4.7 which is quite good. Again steep pitch, etc., probably need new ridge capping, etc.. Probably most expensive option...... Keep us all posted on your decision though!
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PRO
ArvCorp Construction Pty Ltd
10 months ago
Hi Eliot,

MLV is a possible solution. Green glue is to be used between two gyprock sheets, so wont be an option if your trying to avoid an extra sheet.

You could also a soundproof fibreglass insulation (eg. Earthwool Sound Shield, Bradford SoundScreen, Bradford Hi Performance Gold, Pink Batt also has some acoustic insulation options) and Soundcheck Gyprock (which is designed to be a greater density for this reason). Or you can use all options together if you desire and could spare the cost. If it is possible to doubble up on the plasterboard, this would be a better outcome usually as it creates a thicker layer helping to stop transmitting of sound.

It's great that your getting your head around it first, but always a good idea bringing it up with your builder. If he has been around for awhile it is more likely than not that he has done some sound proofing and he has been on your project so there may be some site specific things that have not been accounted for (Even if they has not done this before, he has access to resources and trades to advise and provide a cost for the works at the same time). Also, they need to be aware of what your thinking and be able to let you know when he needs to know by. The later you approach them about it the more of a chance you will have increased costs resulted in undoing things they have already done to accommodate.

Good luck with your renovation!
Eliot Palmer
Original Author
10 months ago
Cheers for that - yea i was going to bring it up ASAP (ie today) but just didnt want to be talking nonsense when floating it (and asking his take).

The insulation is recent underfloor R.25 batts i think - not acoustic but at least friction fitted, so wont ne redoing those!

So far, MLV seems to only be available from a specalist online outlet - its not a bunnings type item?

Any other thoughts in terms of mounting adjustments to reduce vibration?
PRO
ArvCorp Construction Pty Ltd
10 months ago
No problem. In the past we have bought the MLV from Sound proofing products AUS.

Bunnings may be able to source it for your builder but not as a shelf product, you would need to ask them to talk to their Bunnings Rep (Bunnings can secretly source close to anything, or so our rep tells us).

In terms of reducing vibration, it depends on your site conditions and how much you want to spend on it vs the impact.

If you have plumbing/AC or other services that will cause some noise, they should be properly insulated with the right products. If you are putting in recessed lighting and want to go a step further you could use fire rated downlight recess enclosures. However this would be very expensive and overkill.

If there is anything else we can help with feel free to shoot us a message anytime on our email, FB or Instagram.
siriuskey
10 months ago
This might interest you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByFbwcusQRE

Sound proofing ceiling before plaster

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siriuskey

siriuskey

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Sound proofing ceiling before plaster

Comments (6)

siriuskey

siriuskey

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ArvCorp Construction Pty Ltd

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Original Author