I'm finishing my basement in a newer home (built in 2005). The main level floor / basement ceiling is built with I-joists 16 OC. The main level is mainly hardwood floor, and I plan to have a home theater in the basement. I'd like to cut down on the noise from the hardwood floor above (walking in shoes is very loud!) and noise from the theater from coming upstairs. Any suggestions on how to accomplish this? I was thinking spray foam would be perfect, but man is that stuff expensive. Any other best bet suggestions?Thanks!
Use 16 R-19 unfaced fiberglass batts to insulate between the joist. There is a product called Z channel that attaches to the bottom of the floor joist, and holds the wallboard off of the joist. I've seen this used many times in home theaters with great effect.
RE: What is the best way to insulate and finish a basement ceiling to cut down on noise traveling between floors? I'm finishing my basement in a newer home (built in 2005). The main level floor / basement ceiling is built with I-joists 16 OC. The main level is mainly hardwood floor, and I plan to have a home theater in the basement. I'd like to cut down on the noise from the hardwood floor above (walking...
Best Insulation For Basement Ceiling
Basement Ceiling Sound Insulation
I will answer mine with a combination of two people who have already answered. H.K. got it right. Use sound proofing insulation in between your floor joists which is extremely high in density. It's a combination of cellulose and fiberglass that creates an extremely dense soundproofing. I know James Manville makes it and Owens Corning may also. This may not be in stock at your local Do-It-Yourself center and may need to be special ordered. It's more expensive than normal insulation, but much cheaper than the spray in foam alternative. Next, follow it up with the RC channel that Woodtick recommended. These will be screwed in perpendicular to the floor joists and you will then screw your sheetrock directly into those. What this does is creates a space in between the floor joists and the sheetrock and evenly disperses sound traveling through them from the floor joists. They should be in stock at your local Do-It-Yourself center. These two steps are very similar to how many hotels soundproof rooms. If you don't want to make the ceiling permanent by rocking it, then you can install a drop ceiling and use high density foam tiles made for soundproofing. This will be more expensive than rocking, and is much more time consuming to install, but you will have access to pipes or electrical that run in the floor joists. No matter what you do, you will not be able to completely eliminate the noise, but this will give you your best outcome for your budget. Keep in mind noise will transfer through the heating and cooling ducts also.
