Soundproofing a ceiling

I am a concert musician and I practice regularly in my ground floor apartment during the day. I just moved into this place (which I purchased, so I hope to be here a long time) and I want to be a good neighbor. I’ve got as many area rugs and curtains as I can fit in here, so I need a more drastic solution. I’ve heard that the options of Green Glue and Quiet Rock do well do absorb airborne noises. Does anyone have experience with this? I’ve found a number of contractors listed online, but I’d love to get a recommendation from anyone who was satisfied with their experience. I’m not concerned with dampening footstomps or noise generated from the apartment above; I’m solely interested in diffusing some of my sound production so as not to drive my neighbors crazy. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

brittonm67

in Soundproofing 12 years and 6 months ago

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stayhomedad | 12 years and 5 months ago

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sound proof insulation should cost u $2-3 per square foot, depend on quality, includes labor. u can do it under the flooring of the above ceiling or inside your space at the ceiling and on the wall. Giyora Tsafrir

brittonm67 | 12 years and 6 months ago

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Thanks for the tips thus far. Unfortunately the instruments are far too large to work with a booth. There is a piano, a 9.5′ long marimba and vibraphone. They occupy a space of 13′ x 15′ so a booth would take up the entire room. I also have to be able to move the instruments in and out at least once a week. I will check in with Brooklyn Insulation. Luckily, no one has complained about the sound yet, so for now I’m just trying to be proactive. Thanks again!

ProspectArchitecture | 12 years and 6 months ago

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I am an Architect and Builder that has used Brooklyn Insulation and Soundproofing on multiple jobs for using spring loaded walls and ceilings, as well as buffered floors.  Devin is a very knowledgable guy who can walk you through the range of options. Good luck.

Goatcrapp | 12 years and 6 months ago

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sound control booth is the only way to go.  Mass loading the walls with foam, carpets, and etc helps, but won’t REALLY kill the sound – especially the low freuqnecies which travel the furthest (and can be the most irritating), and mass load also won’t do anything for the pipes, joists, and etc which will all see vibration, and thus, transmit sound. Luckily you’re on the ground floor, so you don’t have to worry about anyone below you.  Hopefully the ceiling is high enough, but try this:  http://www.perdueacoustics.com/product/drum-booth    I use a similar product in my cellar for drums – and it saved my marriage LOL.  If you’re handy – study it a bit and design/build your own.  As long as it does not contact any wall or ceiling, you’ll be good.  I used a heavier acrylic, and that only on one side.  Used sandwiched plywood with mass loaded  matting in between for the rest.   Also lined the inside with accoustic egg-carton (and some real egg carton over foam lol) so that the reflection inside the booth didn’t kill me.     Can be a DIY project if you have a decent set of power tools and the know how – otherwise the commercial products are fine, and price isn’t too bad – especially if this is how you earn your living.  Expect to pay 1200-2500 for a commercial product, and a few hours putting it together (you’ll need a second set of hands)

slopefarm | 12 years and 6 months ago

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Does the room have a heat riser — that’s a big sound conductor, as well as anywhere there’s a hole or a seam. If you are adding a layer of sheetrock, there’s a way to use springs so that the vibrations is absorbed rather than transmitted — and make sure the seams don’t overlap. You won’t get the most benefit of a new layer if it’s just glued right to the old.

armchairwarrior | 12 years and 6 months ago

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Why don’t you build a box inside a room you use for pratice this way if you ever want, you can dismental the box.