3

We had a header beam installed in our basement. The floor joists are exposed for 1ft (~30cm) on both sides for the length of the beam.

The basement is an apartment, so I'd like to add some sound-proofing between the floors.

Is there something similar to attic blow-in insulation where they could shove a large hose to the end and slowly retract it to give a bit of a sound cushion?

enter image description here

Improve this question
3
  • If a blow-in option isn't available, would these acoustical fire bats help for the space that I have access to?
    – Jake Berger
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 16:44
  • "sound proof" was probably a little high-hoping for my situation. "better sound proof"
    – Jake Berger
    Commented Apr 20, 2012 at 17:25
  • Is it speech or foot traffic that is the problem?
    – Lee Sam
    Commented Jan 24, 2019 at 0:18

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

See my answer here about methodologies and techniques for soundproofing: https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/11238/3450

Improve this answer
2
  • Karl, I appreciate the theoretical explanation and will keep it in mind for future reference. However, it is an apartment and my goal is to get this done ASAP. Tearing down the ceiling to put up acoustic tiles would seem to take awhile and be expensive.
    – Jake Berger
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 15:06
  • 1
    Agreed. However, keep in mind the explanation I had for insulating -- it's like putting a pillow in a big bass kick drum. It'll muffle things a little bit, but nowhere near the amount that you think it should. The best possible solution is to replace the drywall ceiling with an acoustic product like acoustic tiles or QuietRock -- see quietrock.com.
    – Karl Katzke
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 18:13
0

Purchased 3 packs of Roxul stone wool insulation online at Lowes.com. Shipped to the store for free. Ended up returning 1 pack and still have 1/2 leftover.

Put this stuff in all places where there used to be HVAC outlets; as well as about 2-3ft on both sides along the new header beam. Used 1/2" "lite" drywall.

Previously, with one person downstairs talking and another upstairs near the cold-air return, you could almost clearly hear what the downstairs person was saying.

Now, normal talking is barely audible.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.