Soundproofing Design Ideas for a Ceiling Remodel

Are you remodeling a ceiling and looking for ideas? There are plenty of design guides for reworking ceilings that are all inclusive with stylistic recommendations, possible materials lists and tips on where to go for advice and to find the least expensive materials. Yet how often do any of these guides actually consider soundproofing design ideas for a ceiling remodel? After all, since you are already doing ceiling remodeling, you might as well go ahead and put some auditory distance between you and the upstairs – especially if you live in a condo or apartment, or if you have kids!

First, we make a hole … While these are the famous last words that accompany any do-it-yourself project ever tackled by my husband – whether it involves the installation of an ice maker or a toilet tank – when it comes to ceiling remodeling, they are eerily apropos. Remove the lower layer of drywall until you can see the studs running across the room overhead. Clean up any nails or staples that might be sticking out of the wood beams.

Spackle covers a multitude of sound … Fix the upstairs subfloor from below with spackle where needed. If you tears and holes that are beyond the realm of a bit of spackle, replace the board. Take this time to check for any kind of water or termite damage.

A good measure, packed down … Add insulation materials. You could invest in the more expensive kinds, but truth be told, for this kind of ceiling remodeling pretty much anything will do (unless you are living downstairs from a flamenco aficionado). The goal is to pack the insulation in between the studs until the entire ceiling is covered.

The cover-up … Replace the dry wall you took out. Secure it with long drywall screws. Next, add another layer of drywall. This will lower your ceiling by about Ã?½ inch but it will make your soundproofing ceiling remodeling well worth the effort! Here is the trick: use soundproofing glue in addition to drywall screws to attach this lower level of drywall! The amount of vibration swallowed up by the glue is nothing short of stunning.

Stop – in the name of quiet … The downside of this kind of glue is its rather long curing time. Two weeks are not unheard of and in order to facilitate this time, your ceiling remodeling progress is temporarily on hold. You should not paint or otherwise treat your ceiling until the full amount of curing time has passed. Read up on Venetian plastering!

No holes … Other than the hole for electrical wiring, do not make any holes in the ceiling. If you are attaching ornamental rosettes or other decorative items, use liquid nails instead. Any hole you make may counteract the soundproofing quality of this remodel.

The finishing touch … After two weeks, finish your ceiling remodeling either with a coat of paint or an application of Venetian plaster which is hard on the arms and neck, but wonderful to enjoy afterwards! Opt for an interesting shade that complements your dÃ?©cor.

Source:
http://www.greengluecompany.com/