Acoustical tile BETWEEN joists for noise?

13 years ago

Hello,

Nearing the drywall stage in finishing our basement and I'm still trying to investigate relatively inexpensive sound attenuation options. The goal is to reduce noise traveling up through the ceiling into the first floor area (not the other way around).

I understand that acoustical tile works well, but we don't have the height for a drop ceiling and we are hoping to avoid the cost of nice-looking acoustical tile and a track system. But (admittedly without looking at pricing), I was wondering if buying and cutting acoustical tile to fit up in our joists (against the floor boards above) before installing insulation and sheetrock would help?

Probably a crazy idea, but I thought I'd ask.

Thanks,

Tiger

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Comments (3)

tjdabomb
13 years ago
Sure, in some cases, I have used multiple sheets of drywall too. It all adds to sound deadening, and, fairly cheap and easy to install. In your case, some combo of drywall/acoustical tile and regular insulation should do the trick.

good luck!
MongoCT
13 years ago
For least expensive and to lose the least headroom, I'd recommend you take a look into using a resilient channel.

Screw the RC to the ceiling joists, then screw the drywall to the RC. It decouples the drywall from the structural framing.

If you can add a second layer of drywall, that'd help too.

The idea of adding cut up ceiling tile to the acoustical insulation within the framing bay probably won't help as much as actually decoupling the framing from the finish surfaces of the two rooms.
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yosemitebill
13 years ago
Mongoct - obviously you are knowledgeable about this, and your advice is of course the correct method to properly address this issue.

Just a heads-up though, this OP has posted numerous questions regarding his "basement home theater project" without ever replying to, or simply acknowledging anybody.