Hi,
I have some problems with footstep sounds from the apartment above mine. It's a slightly older apartment building, but unfortunately, the footstep noises are quite intrusive. I find it difficult to find good information on whether it's possible to dampen the footstep sounds by installing a soundproof ceiling. I understand that, considering how footstep sounds spread, it will be impossible to completely get rid of the noise. My question is whether a soundproof ceiling is a reasonable investment in terms of cost and effect.
Thinking of something along these lines:
https://gds.se/hus/innertak/gipstak/gipstak-bygg-ett-gipstak-som-stoppar-ljud
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I have some problems with footstep sounds from the apartment above mine. It's a slightly older apartment building, but unfortunately, the footstep noises are quite intrusive. I find it difficult to find good information on whether it's possible to dampen the footstep sounds by installing a soundproof ceiling. I understand that, considering how footstep sounds spread, it will be impossible to completely get rid of the noise. My question is whether a soundproof ceiling is a reasonable investment in terms of cost and effect.
Thinking of something along these lines:
https://gds.se/hus/innertak/gipstak/gipstak-bygg-ett-gipstak-som-stoppar-ljud
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Looks a bit expensive, check out akustiktak, although it is a non-paintable product and not smooth like a ceiling but it works.
Hello and welcome to the forum!
Is it a general problem in the building or could it be the neighbor upstairs who has done an inappropriate renovation and removed soundproofing material when they changed the floor?
Is it a general problem in the building or could it be the neighbor upstairs who has done an inappropriate renovation and removed soundproofing material when they changed the floor?
Tool enthusiast
· Stockholm
· 1 399 posts
A suspended ceiling with a grid and sound-absorbing tiles unfortunately doesn't help as its function is to regulate room acoustics.
The best solution is to make the measure in the apartment above, but it's often not practically feasible. The principle shown in the link is correct, i.e., suspending a heavy gypsum ceiling with an air gap. However, the system shown short-circuits the old ceiling with the new one. Some reduction occurs as the metal profiles flex.
There are more effective solutions, so-called hanger ceilings, where the suspension rests on elastic springs (sylomers) that do not short-circuit the ceilings. These need to be calculated in relation to the load so they work within their dynamic range. It's important to leave a gap against the walls and seal it with acoustic sealant.
Making holes for spotlights, as mentioned in the linked page, ruins the insulation. To know exactly which construction you need, you should hire an acoustician to measure both airborne and impact sound insulation. As a small guide, I can mention that 3 layers of gypsum with a 200 mm air gap is quite common.
The best solution is to make the measure in the apartment above, but it's often not practically feasible. The principle shown in the link is correct, i.e., suspending a heavy gypsum ceiling with an air gap. However, the system shown short-circuits the old ceiling with the new one. Some reduction occurs as the metal profiles flex.
There are more effective solutions, so-called hanger ceilings, where the suspension rests on elastic springs (sylomers) that do not short-circuit the ceilings. These need to be calculated in relation to the load so they work within their dynamic range. It's important to leave a gap against the walls and seal it with acoustic sealant.
Making holes for spotlights, as mentioned in the linked page, ruins the insulation. To know exactly which construction you need, you should hire an acoustician to measure both airborne and impact sound insulation. As a small guide, I can mention that 3 layers of gypsum with a 200 mm air gap is quite common.