- Soundproofing between floors

Dear Shell,

I have an older duplex house, with a rental apartment on the second floor. I live on the bottom floor. What are my best options to soundproof, to cut down on the noise I can hear downstairs? Should I first try filling the space between the joists in my ceiling (their floor), for example? With what? What if there are electrical wires in that space? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jerry

Dear Jerry,

The procedure to follow to give the best sound control in your suite is to:

1. Block off all forced air heating ducts (stuff with fibreglass batts in plastic bags) into basement suite and install convection heaters in the suite.

2. Install R20 Batt insulation up tight against the upper sub floor plywood (install around electrical wiring).

3. Apply ½ ” Donnacona board to bottom of floor joists.

4. Apply Sound Bar (Resiliant Channel 16” centres over Donnaconna.

5. Apply 5/8” drywall to sound bar tape and fill.

It's just that easy.

Article courtesy of: Shell Busey