Ceiling insulation in basement

11 years ago

We are finishing our basement and I am getting to the point where I need to figure out what exactly to do with the ceiling. Our walls are already insulated (wood basement) and I have been wanting to insulate the ceiling, mostly to reduce noise since that is where we will be entertaining most of the time. But I was told by a friend that insulating a basement ceiling is an unnecessary cost. I've never heard of this before. I assumed everyone insulated their ceilings. Is it really unnecessary?

Featured Answer

happyallison

11 years ago

Hmm I'm wondering now. We had a drop ceiling in the basement (no insulation), it was pretty sound tight and couldn't hear between levels. We've removed it and can hear everything. We are planning on adding drywall and are insulating between, well for noise and for heat escaping. Do you think the drop ceiling tiles are more effective? Will drywall be just as effective?

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Comments (8)

worthy
11 years ago
One of the conclusions of the National Research Council of Canada's study linked below is that:

"Putting sound absorbing material in the cavity of a joist floor with a ceiling that is not resiliently suspended provides no significant increase in sound insulation."

Before I was aware of all the research on-line, I dutifully filled a basement ceiling cavity with Roxul rock wool insulation only to reach the same conclusion.

Here is a link that might be useful: Summary Report for Consortium on Fire Resistance and Sound Insulation of Floors: Sound Transmission Class and Impact Insulation Class Results

This post was edited by worthy on Mon, Jan 19, 15 at 16:53
pprioroh
11 years ago
Sound isolation is a very tricky bird. there are several threads in this forum in which people were told not to do it, they did it anyway, and then reported back it doesn't work...

If you really want to isolate sound, it takes quite a bit of work and planning.

Basement insulation can increase comfort in the basement, and it may reduce slightly the noise levels above, but in NO way will it keep you from hearing what is below.
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mirandajae
Original Author
11 years ago
That is interesting! Thank you for your replies! I will have to do some more research and let you all know what we come up with.
scotkight
11 years ago
The "easiest" way to reduce sound transfer through the floor is to use a z-channel to decouple the drywall from the floor. The cost is low compared to other options and it will make a significant difference. Installation technique MUST be perfect though, as it is easy to mess up and accidentally screw the drywall into both the z-channel and a joist, which defeats the whole purpose.

If it needs to be fully soundproof, prepare to spend a ton of money.

What you are trying to do is block air paths and vibration paths. This is where noise travels and why insulation doesn't really do much.

BTW, did you consider soundproofing in your HVAC runs? If you have an opening in the basement and it runs up to a higher floor... You need to do something to reduce the possibility of noise traveling that way.
worthy
11 years ago
soundproofing in your HVAC runs?

If architects/designers/homeowners truly thought ahead, they would separate the HVAC zones altogether. Unfortunately, most think they can stuff in some fibreglass in the ceiling at the last minute and Voila!

I once built a home where the wife wanted soundproofing, but not "too much," so it wouldn't interfere with her standing in the centre hall and yelling for/at her kids.
andrelaplume2
11 years ago
Well, I have recently finished my basement. Our family room is hardwood and sits right above a now, second family room in the basement below. Prior to finishing, if sitting in my recliner with someone below...you could hear everything...especially if sitting by the heat vent. I was VERY concerned about making this area another tv area...especially since the tv downstairs was to be right under my recliner! I already had fg insulation bats in the ceiling. I bought ROXUL and put it in place for about a 20% of the basement...the area right below my chair! No real difference. I decided to go for broke and put in the Armstrong tile that highest noise reduction I could find at HD. It cost twice as much as the stuff I used in the other portion of my basement.

Two things. The tile was a hell of lot easier to install. Easier to cut. Especially notching the ends of cut tiles. Second, to my astonishment I can't hear the tv below when its on! I have sensitive ears and I am happy. Note I do not have a sound system or anything ....just a large screen plasma set. All I know is its quiet.

Good Luck!

It was a good investment for me.
andrelaplume2
11 years ago
not sure...I think there is an acoustical number associated with the Armstrong tiles..not sure if a similar number exists for drywall. I guess if after u put it up its still noisy then u can always put the ceiling tile back...