insulation btwn floors

Ok Board of Directors, I searched postings but cannot find exactly what I'm looking for. Advice, experiences, ideas from you that have multi-family properties. I have a 4-flat, 1950's construction, 2 up/down, side-by-side. Brick bldg, no deferred maintenance, and I like the units. building, etc. The 'issue' over the last few years is noise between the upper and lower. It's a solid bldg, but absolutely no insulation between the floors. I have a vacancy coming, and wonder if any of you have ever solved/installed insulation between floors with the least disruption as possible. Blown in from below with a hole is each ceiling joist bay? worth it? Issues? Trouble? Just starting the thinking now, not a drop-dead NOW issue or one that I am dead set on, just working thru options and experiences. it helps. Thanks.

--38.121.xxx.xx

insulation btwn floors (by Don [PA]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2018 11:54 AM
Message:

Drop ceiling on the first floor with roll insulation in the void. Blowing in insulation between the joists will do minimal reduction because the sound is transmitted from the floor through the joists to the ceiling. You need something that breaks that contact. Also, rug with thick padding on upper floor. --73.141.xxx.xxx

insulation btwn floors (by 1Gr81 [NC]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2018 12:04 PM
Message:

If the downstairs ceilings are high enough....Have you considered adding a "soundproof" sheet rock ceiling? It's basically adding some hat channels (not on top of existing joist) and using a special type of caulk to attach the channels and new sheet rock. Research how to soundproof for a home studio. Don is correct that sound is mostly transmitted through the building materials, and voids.

Also, there is a special, acoustic deadening, roll insulation. (I have no idea about spray) Look for it at a commercial sheet rock supply house.

I realize that none of these ideas are painless or easy. Just a thought.

Best of luck. --74.124.xxx.xxx

insulation btwn floors (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2018 12:11 PM
Message:

How high are the 1st floor ceilings?

What type of heating system, electric, FHW or FHA?

What type of noise are you trying to reduce, foot steps, talking, TV / radio?

Judging by the age, am I correct in presuming you have plaster walls & ceilings as well as cast iron & copper plumbing?

IMO blowing cellulose into the existing floor / ceiling bays will do little to reduce sound transmission between floors. If you Google sound proofing between floors you will get lots on info on different methods to reduce sound transmission.

--72.93.xxx.xxx

insulation btwn floors (by TonyT [PA]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2018 12:30 PM
Message:

I have the same problem at my place with drywall ceilings except mine is a 12 unit and I lose people all the time due to noise. There is no insulation between floors and you can hear normal talking, peeing in toilets, normal TV volumes, but the WORST is footsteps.

I remember doing research on this and insulation was listed as a possible low cost remedy, but who knows.

This is easily the worst thing about my apartments. And I wish I could change it. --73.230.xxx.xx

insulation btwn floors (by CJ [MO]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2018 1:24 PM
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Is there anything can be done on the floor of the top level? --97.91.xxx.xxx

insulation btwn floors (by BobbyT [IL]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2018 1:42 PM
Message:

It's not plaster & lath, but some form of board like drywall, but completely skimmed (original) so not as soft as drywall, but not quite as hard as plaster. The plumbing in/between units is original, CI stack, galv smaller drains and supply, all copper in accessible basement( not original). That said, the plumbing areas are VERY limited, it was very well laid out, stacked same rooms above same rooms, so mostly sound transmission is like Tony describes. Just the usual tv volume, walking, talking... just annoying enough to really bother some. Nothing for some others, but annoying. I hear ya'll about isolating the ceiling/floor, but dropping the entire 1st floor wold/sounds like an expensive project for only an inch or so, and certainly don't have the room to drop it 7-8". I'm leaning (right or wrong) towards the doing something between the joist bays, but would love to hear if someone has already, and thinks its worth it or not. So Appreciate everyone's thoughts/ideas thus far. Thanks! --38.121.xxx.xx

insulation btwn floors (by BobbyT [IL]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2018 1:44 PM
Message:

I 'could' add thick pad & carpet to 2nd floor to hopefully minimize some sounds, but you all know how well renters take care of carpets. I can't force tenants to remove shoes inside, although that's a self rule for us regardless. And my fear is that about $2500 of carpeting would be ruined every 2-3 years with the tenant base. These are not C class apts, but when it's not your carpet and your $$, shoes stay one, and, well, you get it. --38.121.xxx.xx

insulation btwn floors (by Laura [VA]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2018 2:19 PM
Message:

I have this issue in a SFH - the upstairs bathroom is right above the main floor master and you can hear EVERYTHING that goes on up there. I talked to the smartest guy I know about this (local builder) and he said not to waste time and money on blown in insulation - what I needed was to tear out the main floor ceiling and install a hat channel and then new drywall on that. He said that dropping the ceiling one inch, but getting it off direct contact with the joists was going to stop the sound transfer. I have not done it yet, but this is the advice I got. --67.172.xxx.xxx

insulation btwn floors (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2018 2:53 PM
Message:

I have purchased from Lowe's soundproof drywall that when properly installed (Special installation required), offers over a 80% sound reduction. And on the unit above it I install a special underlay to limit sound transmission. With the combination of both, it really helps. --47.156.xx.xx

insulation btwn floors (by TonyT [PA]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 5:51 AM
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Robert, What is the "Special underlay" please? --73.230.xxx.xx

insulation btwn floors (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 6:27 AM
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Remove the ceiling and push in batts adding extra where pipes go here and there, add some visquene and then put up drywall for the ceiling, a bit of work but worth it or you will have the turnover like Tony described. --76.188.xxx.xx

insulation btwn floors (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 9:39 AM
Message:

Bobby, what Robert J in California recommends,should do the trick.,but anything you do will help,better than what's there now.............charlie................................................................... --174.199.x.xx

insulation btwn floors (by Landlord ofthe Flies [TX]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 12:00 PM
Message:

For the best soundproofing, remove ceiling from floor below, install studs next to the joists but without touching them, and have them extend 1 inch below joists. Then install insulation and replace drywall using the new studs to screw the drywall to. The insulation will trap noise coming from flooring, and anything transmitted through the joists will be isolated from the new studs. You could probably go the extra step of using soundproof drywall for the ceiling, but I don't think it's that important. --108.69.xxx.xxx

insulation btwn floors (by TonyT [PA]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 12:51 PM
Message:

There are two kinds of noise: airborne and impact. I think tenants will always expect impact noise (like footsteps) so airborne, I think, is the one to focus on. I believe insulation alone will correct the airborne ...anyone agree/disagree if this is true?

--73.230.xxx.xx

insulation btwn floors (by Robert,Ontario,Can [ON]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 5:19 PM
Message:

Roxul insulation has a sound bat type of insulation which is fire proof as well. If the floors are wood then fire proof drywall with isolation strips so two things are done at once. One sound insulation along with fire proofing. There maybe videos on You Tube where check out different methods. --147.194.xxx.xxx

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