If you live in an apartment building and multi-storey building, then noise from neighbors cannot be avoided. To live comfortably in an apartment, you need to solve the main problem - to get rid of the neighbor's noise from above, because any movement or noise creates the biggest problem, what sound insulation to choose for the ceiling in the apartment and what sound insulation is better.
To live comfortably in an apartment, you need to solve the main problem - to get rid of the neighbor's noise from above, because any movement or noise creates the biggest problem
The quality of sound insulation leaves much to be desired in any type of house: brick, block, panel and even monolithic. All at home united by one problem– poor interfloor sound insulation of floors. There is a separate section about soundproofing walls.
Noise from any source hits the ceiling, causing it, in turn, to vibrate and re-radiate noise into the apartment below. There is no escape from the mechanical impact on the interfloor partition.
How do ceiling soundproofing materials differ from each other?
For arranging a ceiling for sound insulation, materials with effective sound absorption are suitable. The ceiling is being arranged various methods, for each method, manufacturers of soundproofing materials have come up with their own option.
But no matter how good the noise-reducing material is, it must have the following properties:
- Soundproof– the sound wave is not absorbed, but reflected. The sound wave does not rock the ceiling because the material has decent mass and internal loss.
- Sound-absorbing– the sound wave is absorbed using special pore channels. The material has a fibrous composition, there is friction in the pores, which has the function of inhibiting the sound wave.
For arranging a ceiling for sound insulation, materials with effective sound absorption are suitable.
The sound wave may not penetrate the material, but it will rock and generate secondary noise, so it is better to use a structure with sound-absorbing material inside and massive sound-proofing material on the outside.
When choosing a material, you need to pay attention to the following indicators:
- Material thickness.
- Sound insulation coefficient.
- Flammability.
- Certificate of absence of substances harmful to the body.
How to choose the right material?
The following materials are considered the most popular today:
- mineral wool . Material made from raw materials with non-flammable properties. It does not shrink and can be purchased in sheets 5 cm thick.
- mineral slabs- a convenient material to use, and the soundproofing method with cotton wool is considered the most effective. But only the ceiling in this case will become lower by 15-20 cm. So the increased thickness ceiling structure- not always good option, especially if the ceiling height is not pleasing.
Another disadvantage of cotton wool is the danger to human health. High-quality insulation will be required so that the material does not have a negative impact on humans.
- polyurethane foam. The sound-absorbing material has a tight grip, so it can protect against impact and airborne noise. The material absorbs not only noise from neighbors, but also sounds from your apartment. The disadvantage of polyurethane foam is its toxicity in case of fire. Therefore, such soundproofing arrangement is considered dangerous.
- sealing self-adhesive tape. This material is made from environmentally friendly raw materials and perfectly retains heat in the house.
High-quality insulation will be required so that the material does not have a negative impact on humans.
A good option is the use of heat and sound insulating panels made from environmentally friendly pine wood fiber.
There are also alternative materials for soundproofing the ceiling. For covering the ceiling, for example, cork and foam sheets are used. Even when more modern materials, the love for traffic jams cannot be changed.
But cork sound insulation is only suitable if your neighbors above have a concrete screed or laminate, and cork only saves you from impact noise. The screams of children, loud music, barking dogs - will be accessible to your hearing with cork sound insulation.
As soundproofing material You can use reed tiles and foam glass. For sound insulation they are sometimes used natural material: coconut fiber, peat, flax tow.
3 most successful ways to soundproof ceilings in an apartment
Even with good quality and the effectiveness of sound-absorbing material is of paramount importance technological process installation of the structure while understanding the physical processes of acoustics. There are no soundproofing materials for acoustics - There are soundproofing structures.
If the design is incorrect, the material will be of no use, so you need to choose effective method soundproofing ceilings and competently approaching the technology of installing a noise-reducing frame.
Today, ceilings can be soundproofed different ways: using soundproofing boards, using thermal insulation composition or suspended structure. Each method has its pros and cons, and is applicable in a specific case. To achieve a noise-reducing effect, the following conditions must be met:
The most popular method of soundproofing a ceiling is using soundproofing material. Used under drywall basalt wool, cork, polyurethane foam block or coconut fibers. The ceiling structure can be made in three versions:
- False ceiling made of plasterboard with a metal frame.
- with a film or fabric covering, which is stretched over special brackets.
Any of these options is installed according to the following scheme: installation of a vibration-isolated structure or an independent frame, then any sound-absorbing material, which is sheathed with plasterboard or hidden under an acoustic stretch ceiling.
NEW! An example of soundproofing a stretch ceiling with your own hands
When soundproofing a stretch ceiling, the main task is to fill the empty space between the floor slab and the stretch ceiling with a special sound-absorbing material, which:
- Provides maximum absorption of noise entering the room from neighbors
- Will dampen suspended ceiling so that it does not resonate
- Creates a favorable acoustic environment in the room and muffles noise entering the room
Sound insulation of a stretch ceiling implies high requirements for environmental safety material, since when installing the canvas, holes remain through which harmful substances can penetrate into the living space.
The optimal sound-absorbing material is MaxForte EcoAcoustic– white hypoallergenic polyester fiber boards or SoundPRO(thin 12mm new generation material). Both materials are environmentally friendly and do not contain harmful phenol-formaldehyde resins.
MaxForte EcoAcoustic
MaxForte SoundPRO
EcoAcoustic and SoundPRO differ in thickness, 50 mm and 12 mm, therefore, if there is no limitation on the thickness of sound insulation, EcoAcoustic is used, if you need to make it “thinner,” then SoundPRO is used.
Both materials are mounted in the same way:
- A stretch ceiling baguette is installed (what the canvas will be attached to next)
- Either MaxForte EcoAcoustic slabs or MaxForte SoundPRO rolls are fixed to the prepared ceiling surface (floor slabs). Fastening is carried out using ordinary dowel mushrooms.
- After the ceiling surface is completely covered with sound-absorbing material, the stretch ceiling itself is installed.
The advantage of this method is that it saves height, since EcoAcoustic or SoundPRO fills the empty space between the floor slab and the suspended ceiling, thereby not taking away the height of the room.
Cost of soundproofing material for a room with an area of 18-19 m2:
Option 1
Option 2
Step-by-step guide: Soundproofing plasterboard ceilings
This method is popular among people who plan to install sound insulation with their own hands. Plasterboard slabs are easy to install, and you may not have any construction skills. This method does not require the use of a specific material; various soundproofing materials are suitable: mineral wool, polyurethane foam blocks, cork, coconut fiber, etc.
Do-it-yourself frame ceiling soundproofing performed according to the following scheme:
Ceiling soundproofing is a whole system - a “layer cake” in which each “layer” performs its own task.
- A frame is assembled from a conventional ceiling metal profile (for example, KNAUF 60x27),
this is the future “skeleton” of sound insulation: what all other layers will be attached to. - The frame is attached to the ceiling using VibroStop PRO vibration suspensions. Their task is to break the rigid connection between the floor slab and the metal frame, and along the perimeter the profile guides are attached to the wall through 2 layers damper tape(through it, the drywall will come into contact with the wall in the future). As a result, vibrations (and sound is, first of all, vibration) will not transfer to the new plasterboard ceiling. In simpler terms, the task of VibroStop PRO is to remove impact noise that occurs from stomping, falling objects, or furniture grinding against the floor of neighbors above.
- Special acoustic plates are installed inside the mounted frame MaxForte ECOstove-60 they have a maximum class “A” for noise absorption, they remove airborne noise: screaming, crying, loud TV or music.
- Next, GVL sheets (gypsum fiber sheet) are attached to the metal profile. All sheet joints must be coated with vibroacoustic silicone non-hardening sealant.
- Last finishing layer- these are gypsum board sheets (plasterboard sheet). They are attached to the gypsum plasterboard, and the joints of the gypsum plasterboard and gypsum plasterboard are made staggered.
Cost of soundproofing and auxiliary materials for a room with an area of 18-19 m2
| Name | units change | quantity | price per piece, rub | total, rub |
| MaxForte-EcoPlate 60 kg/m3 | pack | 8 | 720 | 5 760 |
| Soundproofing mounts VibroStop PRO | PC | 48 | 350 | 16 800 |
| Sealing tape MaxForte 100 (2 layers) | PC | 2 | 850 | 1 700 |
| Sealant VibroAcoustic | PC | 7 | 300 | 2 100 |
| Guide profile Knauf PN 27x28 | PC | 3 | 129 | 387 |
| Ceiling profile Knauf PP 60x27 | PC | 21 | 187 | 3 927 |
| Single-level connector type Crab | PC | 50 | 19 | 950 |
| Profile extension | PC | 8 | 19 | 152 |
| Self-tapping screw metal-metal 4.2x13 with prestress | kg | 1 | 330 | 330 |
| Self-tapping screw 3.5x25 (according to GVL) | kg | 2 | 300 | 600 |
| Self-tapping screw 3.5x35 (for metal) | kg | 2 | 250 | 500 |
| Wedge anchor 6/40 pack (100 pcs) | pack | 1 | 700 | 700 |
| Dowel-nail 6/40 pack (200 pcs) | pack | 1 | 250 | 250 |
| KNAUF sheet (GKL) (2.5m.x1.2m. 12.5mm.) | sheet | 7 | 290 | 2 030 |
| KNAUF sheet (GVL) (2.5m.x1.2m. 10mm.) | sheet | 7 | 522 | 3 654 |
| Bottom line | 39 840 | |||
Plasterboard slabs are easy to install, and you may not have any construction skills.
Tricks and secrets of sound insulation for suspended ceilings
Stretch ceiling provide a lot of advantages for the use of any soundproofing materials.
According to experts, a suspended ceiling is more effective in soundproofing a suspended structure. The acoustics are equalized in this case thanks to main feature stretch ceiling - sound dampening in a soft texture. The suspended ceiling serves as a resonator.
If you decide to install a suspended ceiling yourself, then the sound insulation will be the same as for hanging structure or a plasterboard ceiling. The frame is made of slats or metal profile, a special material is glued into the resulting cells, and finally the fabric is stretched onto special brackets.
Stretch ceilings are effective in houses where builders used floor screeds.
Manufacturers are trying to simplify the technological process of installing a stretch ceiling, and now you can purchase acoustic material with a perforated surface. The new canvas has special micro-holes through which noise is neutralized more effectively.
An affordable and popular method is covering the ceiling with mineral wool slabs. It has been proven that such material can absorb up to 90% of noise, and installation of the structure is simple.
Ceiling installation with mineral wool slabs consists of special design installations, in the cells of which noise-insulating material is placed. After the frame is filled with cotton wool, the structure is sheathed with plasterboard. A smooth surface can be painted, plastered, or wallpapered.
Installation suspended ceiling You can do it yourself, how to do it? Installation instructions are the same as for soundproofing plasterboard ceilings:
- The space for the frame is marked.
- The suspended structure is assembled using slats or hangers.
- Soundproofing boards are installed in the resulting cells: mineral wool or fiberglass.
- Soundproofing material is hemmed decorative coating.
Installation of a suspended ceiling with mineral wool slabs can be done in another way:
If you stopped at suspension system, then it is most logical to use cotton wool; installation of polystyrene foam is also allowed. Only Styrofoam cannot be glued, over time it will move away from the ceiling, forming an empty space.
The suspended ceiling structure not only protects from noise, but also hides any unevenness, giving the ceiling a very beautiful appearance.
How else can you achieve results?
One way to solve the problem of soundproofing the ceiling is to install a “floating” floor in the apartment above. If you have a good relationship with neighbors, then simple technology has excellent noise-absorbing effect.
The floor is covered with polyethylene foam in the form of granules, then covered with technical cork. The resulting structure is filled with a concrete solution, and after drying, the floor covering is installed.
You can use a rolled substrate with a polyethylene foam base as floor sound insulation or use compositions based on polymer fibers.
Ceiling soundproofing cost
The construction services market offers more and more new products. Many companies can install not just a specific ceiling, but an entire comprehensive soundproofing system that will use different types material.
Prices for soundproofing work depend on the type of surface, installation option and level of noise reduction. For example, if you are planning to install an acoustic suspended ceiling, you will have to pay 240-600 rubles for square meter.
Most inexpensive option soundproofing— installation of a two-level ceiling structure made of plasterboard. The cost of the work will depend on the method of sound insulation and the choice of material.
The price for soundproofing a turnkey ceiling will cost on average 1,500 rubles per square meter. If soundproofing is needed to create a special room, for example, to build a recording studio, then the cost of soundproofing work will increase.
The ceiling is the main area in the apartment through which noise penetrates. The problem of “noise from the neighbor above” can be solved by the method of partial sound insulation: installing a soundproof suspended ceiling structure.
But soundproofing the ceiling will not always help get rid of the problem; most likely, you will need to protect the walls and floor from noise and sounds penetrating into the room from all sides.
Video instruction
Soundproofing the ceiling under a suspended ceiling will help solve the problem of extraneous noise in the room.
But it is worth noting that the full effect of silence can be achieved only if the stretch ceiling, floor and walls are soundproofed. But since the ceiling is the largest object of sound absorption, it is necessary to soundproof it first.
When choosing materials for soundproofing a suspended ceiling in an apartment, experts recommend focusing on the following criteria:
- sound absorption indicators;
- thickness of the panels (must correspond to the dimensions of the free space);
- flammability indicators;
- installation method.
Important: before purchasing, be sure to check the certificates confirming the sanitary and hygienic safety of the panels.
Mineral wool is the best option for sound insulation
Mineral wool is the leader in popularity among consumers. Most often, soft fiberglass or basalt plates are used as a soundproofing layer.
Advantages of using mineral wool:
- do not support decay processes;
- do not burn;
- the porous structure of the material absorbs as much as possible extraneous sounds.
Flaws:
- high hygroscopicity (mineral wool must be protected from moisture with a special membrane);
- limited possibility of installing recessed lamps (tightly fitting plates can cause overheating of wiring and electrical appliances);
- the thickness of the mineral wool sheets (from 50 to 100 mm) requires a low installation of the stretch ceiling.
Noise insulation with polystyrene foam
Light weight, elasticity, moisture resistance and, importantly, affordable price makes the use of expanded polystyrene panels attractive to the consumer. The panels are very easy to install using “liquid nails” glue and “mushroom” dowels, without the use of a specially mounted frame.
Advantages of polystyrene foam boards:
- high noise absorption rate;
- special treatment with fire retardants minimizes the risk of fire;
- easy installation.
Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting that when burned, the material releases dangerous, toxic substances.
Natural sound insulators
Cork, wooden acoustic panel - durable, safe for humans and environment plates that reliably protect against extraneous sounds.
Advantages of natural sound insulators:
- plasticity of panels;
- minimum thickness;
- high sound absorption rate;
- environmentally friendly, healthy material.
Disadvantages of using wooden acoustic panels:
- installation requires certain knowledge and experience, as well as special glue;
- high cost of panels.
Cork Flooring Swatches
Acoustic membrane - modern noise protection
Modern material distinctive feature which is small thickness, environmental friendliness, fire resistance and excellent sound-absorbing properties - these are acoustic membranes.
Among the disadvantages of using this material, it is worth noting: heavy weight (sold in rolls), high cost and rather labor-intensive installation that requires experience.
Features of insulation installation
The installation method is selected based on the type of soundproofing material. Thus, dense, inelastic panels (for example, polystyrene foam) are fixed using special dowels. Soft mats (basalt slabs) are mounted using special guides. Rolled materials are attached to the surface using special glue.
The process of installing sound insulation in an apartment using glue involves preparatory stage primers. It provides better surface adhesion. When choosing an adhesive, it is important to carefully study the recommendations for use indicated by the manufacturer on the label.
When using the mushroom dowel fastening method, it is important to correctly calculate the distance between the fastening points (pitch). For hard and dense panels, fasteners are fixed no more than 60 cm from each other. Soft panels are fixed with dowels in increments of 40 cm.
Expert advice: for greater reliability, the dowels can be additionally coated with glue.
List of equipment and materials required for arranging the ceiling
Pre-prepared materials, tools and equipment will help carry out the work on arranging a stretch ceiling quickly and efficiently.
List of consumables:
- polyvinyl chloride film;
- wide tape;
- fastening profile;
- dowels;
- self-tapping screws;
- special glue (selected according to the type of soundproofing material).
List of required tools:
- level (laser or water);
- chop cord;
- roulette;
- bowl;
- hammer drill and drill set;
- screwdriver;
- hammer;
- construction knife;
- ladder - stepladder;
- putty knife;
- metal scissors.
Basic work on installing a soundproofed ceiling
Strict adherence to the sequence of work on arranging a stretch ceiling ensures the quality and durability of the result.
- Preparatory stage. All cracks and cracks on the ceiling surface are carefully sealed, paying special attention to the joints between the ceilings. Large cracks are sealed polyurethane foam, smaller cracks are filled with putty. The surface of the ceiling is carefully primed.
- Installation of sound insulation. Depending on the selected sound insulation material, the installation method is selected.
Attaching soundproofing boards with glue
This technique is suitable for fastening low-density panels. Special glue is applied to the prepared surface (sprayed with a spray can or distributed with a brush). Important: all work must be carried out in a well-ventilated area (glue releases toxic substances). The soundproofing material is pressed against the glued surface.
The stretch ceiling can be installed as soon as the glue has dried.
Installation of panels using glue and dowels
This fastening method is used for panels of medium density (at least 30 kg/m³). Apply to the prepared surface adhesive composition and immediately apply the slabs (fitting them tightly to each other). Next, each panel is additionally secured using a “fungus” dowel. To do this, drill a hole through the panel (up to 60mm deep) and hammer it into it. fastener. At least five dowels must be used for each panel (one at each corner and in the center). Important: the dowel head must fit tightly to the panel.
Frame mounting
Soundproofing of a stretch ceiling in the form roll materials(basalt or mineral wool) mounted frame method. To do this, markings of the future frame (wooden slats or profile) are applied to the prepared surface in increments corresponding to the size of the soundproofing material. Important: to prevent the panels from falling out, the size of the frame sections must be reduced by 2 cm.
On reverse side the profile is fixed with adhesive tape made of foamed polyethylene.
Using dowels, the profile is attached to the ceiling according to the markings. If the thickness of the soundproofing material exceeds the profile dimensions, then the frame is mounted on special hangers with acoustic support.
The final stage is laying soundproofing slabs into the grooves.
Features of suspended ceilings with sound insulation
More recently on the market building materials A new product has appeared - soundproofing stretch ceilings. Distinctive feature Such structures are based on the fact that noise-insulating material is placed under a special acoustic sheet. It has micro-perforation, which solves the problem of echo and extraneous sounds in the room.
The installation process is quite labor-intensive, requiring experience and skills. Wiring is laid on the prepared surface in special corrugations. A harpoon profile is attached along the perimeter of the ceiling. Next, sound-absorbing material is laid, vapor barrier film and all layers are carefully fixed with dowels and pressure washers. All panels must be pressed well against each other. A decorative fabric is stretched over the vapor barrier. The result of the work is a perfectly flat stretch ceiling with soundproofing properties.
What types of noise are there?
As a rule, neighbors upstairs disturb not only loud speech, music or the TV, but also sounds of a different nature. Footsteps, stomping, clattering noises from pets' claws, hitting the floor with a ball and other similar noises are considered shock noises. Unlike airborne ones, they have a different distribution pattern.
- Airborne - collides with a wall or floor as an alien medium, which significantly absorbs it.
- Impact occurs directly on the surface and spreads further along the concrete along all adjacent walls.
This type of sound wave propagation is called structural. Due to different nature percussion and air types, methods of dealing with them differ. What works for one type of noise may not work so well for another.
Why can I hear everything that is happening at my neighbors?
Today, during the design and subsequent construction of houses, a certain sound insulation index has already been established, which is determined by the massiveness of the floors. For example, the hollow-core 140 mm reinforced concrete slab airborne noise insulation index Rw=50 dB. In this case, it is assumed that an additional leveling screed will be made. With an added thickness of 4-6 cm, another Rw=2 dB is added.
As a result, we obtain the final index recommended by SNiP in Rw = 52 dB, specified in the current edition of the “Code of Rules for Noise Protection” (SP 51-13330-2011). This is quite enough not to hear a conversation in the usual tone, the volume of which is 40-45 dB. But in order to completely drown out loud conversations (70 dB), laughter and screams (75 dB), loud music or home theater (from 70 to 90 dB) - this is clearly no longer enough. It turns out that for acoustic comfort the initial Rw index of the structure must be increased by 15-20 dB.
There is also shock-type noise. Unfortunately, SNiP does not necessarily require the installation of floating screeds on the floor of neighbors. That's why we hear people walking in high heels, children running, or pets clicking their claws.
Problems can be solved by installing sound insulation in your apartment, which provides a total Rw index in the range from 65 to 72 dB.
How to make soundproofing from neighbors above?
The most popular complaint from residents of high-rise buildings is loud noises from upstairs neighbors. This problem can be solved in 2 ways: by making insulation inside your room or from the neighbor above. The second option will be much more effective, since with the correct implementation of floating floor technology it allows you to get rid of both impact and airborne noise.
If it is not possible to agree on installing a floating floor in the room above, then soundproofing the ceiling from neighbors may be enough to eliminate airborne noise. It is worth using suspended ceilings with sound insulation on a separate frame; acoustic sheets themselves are ineffective. They are designed to reduce echoes inside your room.
To combat airborne noise enough more thin systems, which practically do not reduce the height of the room. We present them as “Thin” and “Optima”.
Installation of a floating floor for neighbors
Frame structure in your apartment
If you are concerned about noise of impact origin, which is more characterized by indirect sound transmission along adjacent floors and walls, you will need to understand the channels of its propagation. It will be especially problematic if the upper residents have tiles or laminate on the floor without a floating screed or even a backing. In this case, the walls are an additional conductor of extraneous sounds. Therefore, in addition to soundproofing the ceiling, an apartment will most likely need to soundproof several walls.
The nature of indirect transmission of sound waves differs for different rooms. It depends on the types of enclosing structures, what materials they are made of, and how they are connected to each other. You can independently determine which walls transmit sounds from neighbors the strongest. To do this, when there are particularly loud sounds from neighbors above, place your ear to all the walls in turn. Those walls where you can especially clearly hear what is happening above you also need to be insulated.
If extraneous sounds penetrate into the apartment through the floor and walls by air, then the ceiling transmits mainly impact noise - stomping, falling things, rearranging furniture. Moreover, for sure, the “authors” of these sounds do not even suspect how loud they are heard in the neighboring apartment. Soundproofing a suspended ceiling in an apartment will help solve this problem.
Soundproofing under a suspended ceiling – enhancing the effect!
It is worth noting that the suspended ceiling itself is a good soundproofing membrane - sound waves are reflected from its soft, springy surface. It has long been known that solid, rigid bodies transmit sound waves much better than soft or inhomogeneous ones. The air gap formed between the main and suspended ceilings also helps to tame sound waves - when the sound gets from one environment to another, it loses its strength. However, the mere fact of having a stretch ceiling is not enough to completely drown out the sounds from above.
We also note that soundproofing the ceiling alone, even if done according to all the rules of acoustics, will not prevent extraneous sounds from penetrating through the floor and walls. Having set the goal of making your life quiet or, on the contrary, loud (but so that the neighbors do not hear it), you need to approach the issue comprehensively and carry out soundproofing work throughout the apartment.
However, soundproofing the ceiling is a priority task even in the complex of such work. Firstly, it’s just convenient to start with more complex process without fear of dropping the tool on the subfloor. Secondly, soundproofing the ceiling will allow you to evaluate the volume of the neighbors below and on the sides from a different point of view - perhaps you need to spend more on insulating the walls and floor more money than you thought before.
It is important to understand that specialists who know how to install do not always know how to make sound insulation efficiently. This is not their fault - the tasks are completely different, and this should be done different people. IN in this case It makes sense to use someone else's ceiling installation services - you will save money on equipment, tools and time. But nothing prevents you from learning how high-quality sound insulation is made, express your recommendations to the master, pay him extra for his auxiliary role in the process of installing the soundproofing layer and independently carry out the necessary work, or manage the process.
Vulnerable frame - pay attention to the little things!
One of the common mistakes of craftsmen who install suspended ceilings is attaching special profiles directly to the walls. This does no harm to the ceiling, only benefit, but the sound insulation suffers. As noted above, sound waves penetrate through hard and solids. The profile is both solid and rigid, and is also attached tightly to the wall. Of course, it will very diligently transmit the vibrations emanating from the surface.
Just one small detail can correct the situation - a damping tape.
It costs a pittance, but its effect is considerable! The point is, when fixing the profiles, lay this very tape between them and the surface of the walls - this will not affect the quality of the fastening in any way, but there will be no direct contact, which means that the sound will be absorbed and reflected by the tape, and only the pitiful remnants of sound waves will pass to the profile.
This simple technique is, in fact, important to do when installing any structures to walls and ceilings. Are you covering your walls with plasterboard? Place tape under all contacts with the wall. Are you making a slatted ceiling? Don't forget the tape! Small nuances can add up to significant results.
Insulation device - how to fill the void?
The structure of the stretch ceiling itself should make you want to soundproof it - there is so much useful space left between the ceiling and the tension membrane! In fact, you just need to competently fill the void between them. You will find a lot of materials for this, as well as manufacturers. Focus on the thickness of the empty space - if it reaches 5 mm or more, you can freely use mineral or fiberglass wool.
Cotton materials have the highest sound absorption coefficient - 0.75-0.95 (from 0 to 1). This is due to their heterogeneous structure and softness. The sound seems to get stuck between the fibers of the cotton structure. The same property is observed to a somewhat lesser extent in fibrous and porous materials. The stiffer the material, the worse it blocks sound - this rule also applies to soundproofing products. So soft cotton wool is the best option.
If the space between the ceilings is not so large, you can choose one of two options to solve the problem. The first is that you still allow the master to make the ceiling lower and fill the space with cotton wool. The absence of a chandelier will help to make the room visually taller; fortunately, nowadays, lighting hidden in the niches of special ceiling plinths will no longer surprise anyone.
If you don’t want to make such sacrifices, don’t. There are, especially among modern materials. Their thickness can be only 5-10 mm, which is what you need. It can be semi-rigid pressed wool or polymer materials. Among them you will find composite panels- a combination of several materials with different structures. In any case, even if you decide to save space, try to combine thin materials. There is no need to use polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene as sound insulation. Although they have a cellular structure, their sound absorption coefficient is not high.
Stretch ceiling with sound insulation - progress of work
So, you have decided on the material. It's time to start small jobs– sealing gaps, cracks, holes. It is enough to fill small cracks with putty; larger ones should be filled with polyurethane foam. If through ceilings pipes pass through, the area near the ceiling must be insulated with a special acoustic sealant - to do this, remove a few centimeters of concrete around the pipes and fill it with sealant.
Among the soundproofing materials there are also those that are adhesive to the ceiling. This will save a lot of time, but if such insulation is not affordable, you can make a frame for soundproofing boards. Along the width of the slabs, attach to the ceiling (don’t forget about the damping tape!) a frame made of bars or plasterboard profile, and lay insulation boards between it. There should be no gaps or voids; you need to completely cover the entire ceiling area. It is clear that the bars and slabs should not extend beyond the profiles for the suspended ceiling; it is even better if there is an air gap between the sound insulation and the ceiling membrane.
Then all that remains is to stretch the ceiling, and it is better to entrust this work to professionals. By the way, among ceilings of this kind there are special acoustic stretch ceilings that have additional opportunity dampen and reflect sounds. They differ from ordinary canvases in that they have a perforated surface. Micro holes different forms allow the membrane to absorb sound waves well. However, this is not a panacea - it should still be used in combination with other soundproofing methods, and then the effect can be very significant!
carrying out work
When arranging their apartment, the owners try to ensure maximum comfort accommodation. Many modern buildings do not have good sound insulation (however, houses from the 80s and 90s cannot boast of this either). Therefore, certain measures are being taken to soundproof the home. At the same time, you need to pay attention not only to the walls, because sound insulation for the ceiling is also very important.
From theory to practice
The main indicator in this case will be the efficiency of sound absorption.
Note that all noise and extraneous sounds are divided into:
- air;
- drums.
Impact sounds - those arising from mechanical action, air sounds - everything that is emitted: screams, loud music, dog barking. Therefore, when choosing, you should pay attention to the above first.
Common Methods
Undoubtedly, the most popular method is over which materials are laid.
The material in this case becomes:
- polyurethane foam– block or sprayed onto the surface (the second option is considered one of the most effective;
- cork;
- coir;
- mineral wool;
- All kinds of panels made of mineral and organic fiber.
Such a device is paired with additional work– in particular, with the installation of an auxiliary system. Systems can be in different formats:
- Hemmed(the metal frame is installed on the ceiling; the frame is sheathed with sheets of plasterboard);
- (film or fabric coverings are stretched onto special brackets);
Above cassette ceiling
- (placed on a metal frame soundproofing panels for the ceiling).
Cork
There are many fans of cork materials today. This material provides excellent sound insulation from impact noise.
- In terms of level, only 2.5-3 cm of cork material replaces 10-15 cm of reinforced concrete slab and 10 cm of pine timber. The noise level with a thickness of 3 cm of balsa wood is reduced by approximately 20-45 dB. Therefore, a single-layer soundproofing flooring with a thickness of 10 mm is not enough.
- It is assumed that a layer will be created from technical jam approximately 3-4 cm, which is covered on top with insulation (if required) and trimmed with decorative trim. In this case, the quality increases several times.
Professional sound insulators
The name speaks for itself - these materials are created to successfully absorb any noise coming from the room located above.
Mineral wool boards
Excellent soundproofing characteristics are shown by ceilings that are made using mineral wool slabs. In this case, the sound absorption coefficient is about 85%.
The technology here is quite simple:
- TO rough ceiling the necessary frame construction, which is clogged with mineral wool slabs;
- Next, the frame is sheathed with plasterboard sheets;
- Finally, soundproof ceilings are finished with any desired material (applying putty, paint, wallpaper).
Advice! The method is quite effective, but has one very serious drawback: in total, the thickness of the entire structure will reach 15 cm (maybe more). You can't say what it is better sound insulation ceiling, but installation of this type is the right decision, and the price is affordable.
Soundproofing sheets
At a professional level, soundproofing ceilings are made with special fabrics. What advantages does a branded foreign gasket have over traditional mineral insulation materials that are used everywhere?
- Most materials belong to the class of slightly flammable and completely non-toxic, so they are used not only in residential premises, but also in public places: restaurants, bars, clubs, cinemas;
- Such materials are very easy to install. It is enough to remove the protective layer and glue it to the prepared base;
- According to the European classification for noise absorption, such soundproofing ceiling panels correspond to the BFT class (the highest);
- The canvas is a membrane in which the sound “gets stuck”. It can be performed from various materials: high-quality rubbers, felt and others.
- To produce the membrane, felt is used, which is a good sound absorber;
- When the wave reaches the ceiling, the polymer will reflect the sound. But the felt will absorb the remnants of the shock wave without reaching the room;
- Soundproofing materials for this type of ceiling have a thickness of 2.5 to 14 mm, so they will not conceal the ceiling space.
Shumanet BM slabs
In many construction and repair companies, sound-absorbing ceilings are installed using Schumanet BM acoustic slabs. In the modern construction market, these plates are one of the best and quality materials for sound insulation.
Plates are widely used for finishing suspended ceilings in apartments, cottages and country houses.
- The manufacturer's instructions note that the material is absolutely non-flammable (very important factor for many types of premises);
- Standard noise absorption coefficient – 0.9 NRC;
- The slabs are subject to quality control by installation companies.
Schumanet BM slabs are fixed to ceiling slabs using plastic “mushrooms”. This ensures high-quality fastening of the slabs in any conditions. After this, soundproofing suspended ceilings or other types of products (suspended, suspended) are mounted on the slabs.
Complex systems
In the Russian construction market, many companies offer clients the installation of a comprehensive soundproofing system, which includes 2-3-4 different materials.
- In addition, many people install the material themselves. In this case, people resort to a combination system, i.e. A sound-absorbing membrane is mounted on top of the sound-absorbing slabs. Such a system will have an extremely high sound absorption coefficient.
- Not so long ago, special plates appeared in steel stores that can be installed on top of the existing ceiling system. Such soundproofing materials for the ceiling have a serious advantage: they absorb sound from the noise coming from the owners’ premises. Thus, the owners of this solution eliminate unnecessary noise and neighbors.
Dropped ceilings
Drywall installation
Soundproofing a suspended ceiling involves attaching a hollow slatted structure to the rough surface, which is subsequently filled with sound-absorbing material. After this, cladding is carried out with a decorative coating. Sometimes soundproofing grilles or perforated drywall are attached to the ceiling.
A frame of this type is mounted from a standard metal profile for plasterboard ceilings.
But there are some features here:
- The effect of sound absorption will be directly related to the size of the internal cavity of the ceiling, which is filled with the material. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the distance from the floor slab to the external cladding, taking into account the thickness of the sound-absorbing materials used. You need to understand that the design of such a system will certainly lead to a significant reduction total height premises, which will be very noticeable in ordinary apartments;
- The outer part of the structure is a diffuser, a membrane that relays sound vibrations, especially impact noise when it is rigidly mounted through load-bearing frame to the walls and ceiling. To avoid this, during the installation process it is necessary to avoid extreme hard contact metal frame with walls (a gap is left) and a rough ceiling (soundproofing fasteners and linings are used). This ensures sound insulation of the ceiling from impact noise;
Suspensions "Vibrofix P"
- During the installation of a soundproofing structure, care must be taken to ensure that the system is completely sealed. Even small, barely noticeable cracks and holes will allow sound to pass through.
Conclusion
If you plan to get the highest quality result, then it is recommended to pay attention to the cork and complex systems. But you need to keep in mind that such a device will be quite expensive financially.
To obtain high-quality results when minimum costs You can use mineral wool or glass wool, which is placed in the space between the rough and suspended ceiling.
Soundproofing the ceiling - videos and photos of this process can be found in large quantities on the Internet. Installation of this type can be done either with your own hands or with the assistance of specialists.
