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How to Soundproof an Existing Ceiling
Author: Eric Zuck
Last Updated: October. 1, 2024
Read Time: 7 Minutes
How to Soundproof an Existing Ceiling
Author:
Eric Zuck
Last Updated:
Oct. 1, 2024
Read Time:
7 Minutes
Author: Eric Zuck
Updated: Oct. 1, 2024
Read Time: 7 Minutes
It’s been a long day. You're finally settling into your favorite armchair. You pick up that book you’ve been telling yourself you’ll read. Suddenly, the tranquility is shattered by the thudding footsteps from the floor above. You NEED to do something about the noise!
One of the biggest holdups with ceiling soundproofing projects is that you just don't want to rip out the ceiling to get the results (if you are open to it, read our article to learn how to build a soundproof ceiling)!
Fortunately, we know how to stop soundproof a ceiling with or without removing the ceiling to do so! Keep reading to learn what you need and how to do it!
It’s been a long day. You're finally settling into your favorite armchair. You pick up that book you’ve been telling yourself you’ll read. Suddenly, the tranquility is shattered by the thudding footsteps from the floor above. You NEED to do something about the noise!
One of the biggest holdups with ceiling soundproofing projects is that you just don't want to rip out the ceiling to get the results (if you are open to it, read our article to learn how to build a soundproof ceiling)!
Fortunately, we know how to stop soundproof a ceiling with or without removing the ceiling to do so! Keep reading to learn what you need and how to do it!
Types of Noise You Hear Through a Ceiling
The sounds you typically hear through a ceiling can be broken down into two types of noise: airborne noise and impact noise. Airborne noise is sound that travels through the air like TV, people talking, and the incessant barking of a neighbor's dog (our own dogs would never bark incessantly). Airborne sounds will find even the smallest gaps and cracks to travel through, so it’s essential to build airtight barriers with enough mass to block the sound. In a floor-ceiling assembly, the STC rating is a measure of how well the assembly stops airborne noise.
Impact noise is sound that travels through the building’s structure and results from physical impacts, like footsteps and sliding furniture. To stop impact noise, you have to isolate parts of that structure to prevent the easy travel of noise. We typically do this with rubber or by creating physical separation. Any contact points are potential highways for the sound energy to travel through. In a floor-ceiling assembly, the IIC rating is a measure of how well the assembly stops impact noise.
While both types of noise are cause for headache and irritation, in our experience helping customers for decades, the impact noise tends to be the biggest problem, but poorly constructed floor-ceiling assemblies tend to have issues with both. You might hear the chatter from your upstairs neighbors (airborne noise) as well as the stomping of feet (impact noise). Depending on the type of noise, you have different solutions available to you.
How to Soundproof an Existing Ceiling
Just as cooking a Thanksgiving dinner can't be reduced to "stick turkey in oven," there are steps and nuances that can go into the method you choose to soundproof an existing ceiling. Before we get into that, you need to ask yourself one question: "Am I willing to remove the ceiling to soundproof it?"
CEILING sOUNDPROOFING WITHOUT REMOVING DRYWALL
When we weigh out what projects we want to take on, we often think about how easy it is to do, if you'll need a contractor, how much it will cost, and so forth. We find that many many customers are reluctant to remove the drywall from their ceiling but still want to soundproof against airborne and impact noise. A classic "have your cake and eat it too" kind of situation. But there is a way . . .
RSIC-1® Retro Sound Isolation Clips on the Ceiling-Side
The RSIC-1® Retro sound isolation clip is existing drywall's best friend. It never asks it to change for it. If you've ever come across the standard RSIC-1® clip, you'll find there is one small – but very important – difference between the two: a stabilizing washer. Get the RSIC-1® Retro clips to greatly improve both the STC and IIC ratings of your assembly without needing to remove drywall. There is no better way to soundproof a ceiling without removing the drywall than with RSIC-1® Retro clips! Here's how it's done:
- Plan it Out - You're going to essentially be lowering your ceiling from the existing drywall by about 2.5 inches, so make sure that makes sense in your space. You'll also need to make sure to run any ductwork and lighting down to the new ceiling. Make sure to seal around the perimeter of the existing drywall and any penetrations with acoustical sealant.
- Insulation - If you don’t have insulation, fill the new cavity between layers of drywall with your choice of batt insulation. Insulation can improve STC rating by 5-7 points, though it has minimal impact on IIC rating.
- Install the RSIC-1® Retro Clips - Attach RSIC-1® Retro clips to through the drywall by screwing them into the joists. Make sure to review our install guide for placement depending on your joist spacing.
- Snap in Hat Channel - Snap 25 gauge hat channel into the clips.
- Screw in your Drywall and Seal it Up - Screw 5/8” drywall into the hat channel. Leave a 1/4" gap around the perimeter and seal that gap with acoustical sealant. For increased sound blocking performance, add a second layer of 5/8” drywall with Green Glue between the two layers. RSIC-1® clips can support up to two layers of 5/8" drywall at the standard installation spacing.
- Do not install canned lights or otherwise cut holes into the ceiling. Any holes will substantially reduce the performance of your new soundproof ceiling.
UnderBlock™ Rubber Underlayment on the Floor-Side
We love to think outside the box, and in this case, you're doing exactly that! If you step out of the room and go up, you may be able to solve the problem from the other side. Ceilings and floors are often mentioned in the same breath because they come together to make an assembly. If you have access to the floor-side of the assembly, get UnderBlock™ rubber underlayment to soundproof the floor above the ceiling. For large, multi-family projects, UnderBlock™ HD is the preferred option (contact us for details!). Underlayment works by resisting impacts to reduce structural noise. It also add a good amount of mass to help block airborne sound as well.
Simply roll out the underlayment across the sub-floor, leaving about 1/8" around the perimeter and penetrations to be sealed with acoustical caulk. Any cuts you need to make, just make sure the seams butt up together. Install your finished floor on top of it, and notice how much quieter it is down below! For more on how to soundproof the floor in your home, read our article!
CEILING sOUNDPROOFING FOR BEST RESULTS - NO MATTER WHAT!
The RSIC-1® sound isolation clip could be classified as the OG from our collection of sound isolation clips. They have a proven track record of performance, and are used in well over 100 UL rated assemblies. Get the RSIC-1® sound isolation clips to achieve the best of impact noise resistance and noise blocking prowess. This will require you to remove drywall first, but the results are undoubtedly worth it.
After your drywall is out, map out where each clip will go using our RSIC-1® install guide, and plan out where your ductwork and electrical will go. Install your clips into the joists, snap in 25 gauge hat channel, and screw in your 5/8" drywall. Seal around the perimeter and penetrations with acoustical sealant, and you're looking at a very soundproof ceiling. You can add Green Glue and a second layer of 5/8" drywall to improve the STC rating, and even soundproof the floor above with UnderBlock™ rubber underlayment for a truly impressive assembly.
Check out our guide for more tips on soundproofing a ceiling and for more rated assemblies.
Pro TIP
Look out for those HVAC vents! They are a common flanking path for sound to travel to and fro. Seal around the vents with acoustical sealant to make sure there aren't any holes in your assembly, and install EcoVerb™ duct liner to help reduce duct noise! Read our HVAC soundproofing guide for more help reducing airborne noise in your ductwork!
Soundproofing a Existing Ceiling Like The Pros!
Congratulations! You've just graduated from Second Skin's crash course on soundproofing an existing ceiling. While each project can have a bit of nuance, the core tenets remain the same. If you need to soundproof a drop ceiling, we have a different article covering those details. If you have questions about your project, reach out to one of our team members to help get your project kickstarted in the right direction. Soundproofing issues ARE fixable, and we're here to help you achieve your soundproofing goals.