| Soundproofing a Basement |
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There are two things you need to consider when
soundproofing basement. First is the elimination of
all cracks including the tiny ones. Second is beefing
up the sound resistance of all walls and ceilings. It's
hard to beat drywall (sheetrock) as a surface
covering on both these concerns. Finishing
basement with drywall’s ability to absorb sound is
thanks to its density. Drywall tape and joint
compound seal the sound-transmitting joint cracks.
The best type of drywall for basement ceilings and
walls is 5/8"-thick fire-code material. The gypsum
core of the commercial grade includes glass fibres
for extra strength, besides being thicker than the
regular 1/2" material.
Beefing Up the basement ceilings makes sense
since most of the sound that travels up from a
basement comes through the floor. When
soundproofing basement it makes sense to focus
your greatest attention there, at least initially.
Simply putting 1/2 drywall on the underside of the
floor joists boosts STC (Sound Transmission Class)
of the whole floor structure to only about 36, which
is not nearly enough. A much better plan is to install
5/8 drywall onto the bottom side of the floor joists,
along with sheet metal strips call resilient channel.
These channels separate the drywall from the floor
joists, which blocks telegraphing sound
transmission more effectively than direct drywall-to-
joist contact. By adding glass fibre battens between
the joists before drywall installation you will boost
the entire floor to a STC of over 50. Finishing
basement this way is what you should be doing
anyway.
Finishing basement ceilings is a good start at
soundproofing basement areas but do not forget the
doors. The usual cheap interior, hollow door
transmits sound very well so replace it with a
exterior grade solid core door. Also you should
enclose the furnace or AC unit in a room of its own
since sound will travel through the ducting.
Finishing basement for soundproofing is great but
you may wish to carpet the first floor as carpet
absorbs sound very well.
soundproofing basement. First is the elimination of
all cracks including the tiny ones. Second is beefing
up the sound resistance of all walls and ceilings. It's
hard to beat drywall (sheetrock) as a surface
covering on both these concerns. Finishing
basement with drywall’s ability to absorb sound is
thanks to its density. Drywall tape and joint
compound seal the sound-transmitting joint cracks.
The best type of drywall for basement ceilings and
walls is 5/8"-thick fire-code material. The gypsum
core of the commercial grade includes glass fibres
for extra strength, besides being thicker than the
regular 1/2" material.
Beefing Up the basement ceilings makes sense
since most of the sound that travels up from a
basement comes through the floor. When
soundproofing basement it makes sense to focus
your greatest attention there, at least initially.
Simply putting 1/2 drywall on the underside of the
floor joists boosts STC (Sound Transmission Class)
of the whole floor structure to only about 36, which
is not nearly enough. A much better plan is to install
5/8 drywall onto the bottom side of the floor joists,
along with sheet metal strips call resilient channel.
These channels separate the drywall from the floor
joists, which blocks telegraphing sound
transmission more effectively than direct drywall-to-
joist contact. By adding glass fibre battens between
the joists before drywall installation you will boost
the entire floor to a STC of over 50. Finishing
basement this way is what you should be doing
anyway.
Finishing basement ceilings is a good start at
soundproofing basement areas but do not forget the
doors. The usual cheap interior, hollow door
transmits sound very well so replace it with a
exterior grade solid core door. Also you should
enclose the furnace or AC unit in a room of its own
since sound will travel through the ducting.
Finishing basement for soundproofing is great but
you may wish to carpet the first floor as carpet
absorbs sound very well.