How To Soundproof A Ceiling From Noisy Neighbours : 8 Effective Ways

Do you live in a room whose ceiling is the roof of your neighbor’s? If yes, you must be disturbed by the noise of television, radio, footsteps, and many more. This noise will prevent you from focusing on essential things and sometimes become worsen so that you cannot have a proper goodnight’s sleep.

Soundproofing a ceiling is one of the best and easy ways to get rid of the solution. It not only blocks sound but also hides wires and pipes. Because of the soundproof ceiling, your house looks more organized when you invite your friend and family to a party.

Now a question arises how to soundproof a ceiling from noisy neighbours Soundproofing means minimizing sound transmission. Fortunately, soundproofing a ceiling is not that much intimidating as you think. You have to soundproof depending on the ceiling style and the type of sound you need to block.

 For instance, you can soundproof by applying mass-loaded vinyl on the ceiling and then attaching drywall. It will help to block all sorts of noise so that you can concentrate on your work and other daily activities.

The article discusses various techniques to soundproof a ceiling. So, keep reading this article to know more regarding such information.

How To Sound Proof A Ceiling From Noisy Neighbors?

1. Detect Types Of Noise

To learn about soundproofing, you must have basic knowledge about sound transmission. Remember, sound can travel from anywhere, i.e., ceiling, windows, and floor.

Sound is a vibration that travels through acoustic waves by a medium, and the medium is your ceiling.

There are two types of noise that you need to soundproof. We are discussing them below.

Airborne noise

Airborne noise is the sound that travels through the air. It is the most common form of noise, which usually comes from ceilings. For example, music, a conversation between people, barking dogs, a baby crying, etc.

When the sound waves travel through the air, it collides with a solid object, i.e., your ceiling, and the collision distributes the waves in your bedroom, living or any other room. Hence you listen to the sound and get disturbed.

Impact Noise

Physical vibrations are the leading cause of impact noise. Here the sound waves travel directly through your ceiling. 

For instance, if a child drags a chair on his floor, your ceiling will transmit that sound; hence, you can hear the noise. Other examples are dropping plates, playing football, or children running on the floor.

Your first duty is to check which type of noise is mainly coming from your ceiling, and accordingly, you have to decide about soundproofing the ceiling.

2. Detect The Type Of Ceiling

The next important factor you must consider is the type of ceiling in your room. The ceiling type will determine the overall cost and time required to soundproof the ceiling.

There are two types of ceilings which are listed below.

Drywall Ceiling

The drywall ceiling comprises gypsum encased in paper and is usually not dense and hence less effective in reducing sound.

Drop Ceilings

The drop ceiling hangs from the main ceiling and is usually installed to hide any ductwork. Soundproofing a drop or suspended ceiling is a bit challenging compared to a drywall ceiling.

3. Select Noise Fighting Elements

There are four noise-fighting elements which are listed below.

Mass

The principle involves making the wall as thick as possible so that it will be difficult for the sound to penetrate your ceiling and reach your room. For instance, you can add two drywall to avoid noise.

Damping

This phenomenon involves the usage of chemical compounds for the conversion of sound to heat energy.

Absorption

You must fill the open area with materials like fiberglass, wood, or foam to soak the noise. This phenomenon is essential for drop ceilings.

Decoupling

You need to separate the elements in the ceiling so that the sound waves will be disturbed, which will help reduce the impact of noise.

4. Choose Soundproofing Materials

Are you tired of hearing footsteps, consistent music, or TV noise from your neighbors? If yes, then you are in the right place.

The sound can travel from your neighbor’s floor to your house’s ceiling and disturb you. Soundproofing materials can help to reduce the noise from the ceiling and create a peaceful atmosphere in your home. 

There are various soundproofing materials available in the market. While choosing any soundproofing materials, you must check the noise reduction ratings. The rating indicates how much sound the soundproofing material will absorb. 

It is usually measured in the form of decibels. So, the higher the decibel, the higher the soundproofing material’s ability to absorb the sound. However, you must also consider other factors, like cost, longevity, etc. 

Another thing you must remember is that no material will 100 percent absorb the sound. But it can reduce the sound from your ceiling to a greater extent so that you can have a peaceful environment in your dwelling.

Below, We are discussing a few soundproofing materials that can absorb the sound from the ceiling.

Acoustic Insulation

It is one of the most common ways to soundproof your ceiling. This procedure adds the material between the ceiling joist to absorb the sound and prevent it from traveling through your ceiling.

The market has different acoustic materials like fiberglass, cellulose, and rock wool. People usually prefer to use fiberglass, which is light and easy to install. Now if we talk about rock wool, it is a bit denser and more capable of absorbing sound than fiberglass.

Another great option is cellulose. If you wish to use an eco-friendly option, use cellulose to block the sound from the ceiling.

Mass Loaded Vinyl

Another soundproofing material that you can consider is mass-loaded vinyl. It can reduce airborne noise like music and television sounds from your ceiling. Additionally, it reduces impact noise also to a greater extent.

The MLV, or mass-loaded vinyl, comprises vinyl and various other additives. It is usually installed in between the ceiling joist to absorb the sound. The best thing about using MLV is that they are easy to install. You just require a knife or scissors to cut the MLV into the appropriate size.

You can combine MLV with sheet rock to absorb the sound waves before they pass on to your ceiling. 

The MLV comes in rolls. You must cut in the proper size and staple it on your current ceiling. You can then add an extra layer of sheetrock. Finish the procedure with a simple coat, and your ceiling will look like the old one. But this time, it will better absorb the sound.

Resilient Channels

The resilient channels are attached directly to the ceiling joist with the help of nuts and screws. These channels prevent the sound waves from traveling through your ceiling.

It works best with soundproofing materials like acoustic insulation or mass-loaded vinyl.

Resilient channels usually create a gap between the ceiling and drywall. The gap will help reduce the airborne and impact noise from the ceiling.

Soundproofing Drywall

Adding a single layer of drywall sheet is ineffective in reducing sound-borne or impact noise from your ceiling. The panel is lightweight, so the sound waves can easily penetrate it. So, it’s better to use soundproofing drywall.

Soundproofing drywall is an excellent option to absorb the sound from your ceiling. They are thick and heavy compared to orIn this procedure; you have to remove the existing drywall and install the soundproofing drywall. 

It comprises various layers of gypsum board with a viscoelastic layer in between them. The best thing is they are easy to install, and you can use them in appropriate sizes with the help of a saw.

But there is a downside to using soundproofing drywall sheets. They are a bit expensive compared to ordinary drywall sheets.

One drywall sheet will cost you only $10, but $40 if you purchase a soundproofing drywall sheet.

Acoustic panels

Acoustic panels are decorative panels made from fiberglass, rock wool, or foam. They are available in various shapes and colors and can e attached directly to your ceiling using hooks or clips. It can significantly reduce the noise coming from your room’s ceiling and helps maintain a quiet environment.

Apply Acoustic Caulk

Do you have gaps or cracks in your ceiling? If yes, you need to fill them to reduce the noise from your ceiling.

You can apply acoustic caulk to fill the gaps and reduce the noise in your home.

Double Layer The Drywall

Using double-layer drywall sheets can make the ceiling thicker and thus helps reduce the impact noise from the ceiling. But ensure that the second layer should have a thickness of ⅝ inches. The added thickness will not only block noise but also will look better.

Double Layer Of Dry Wall And Green Glue Damping

Green glue compounds are cheap and readily available. They help to block the sound effectively.

According to the manufacturer’s instructions, you need to apply the green glue damping on the first drywall sheet. You have to install the second drywall sheet over the first one and then screw them to your ceiling.

Also Read : How To Remove Background Noise In Audacity

Additional Tips And Tricks

Besides the above methods, you can follow specific easy techniques that will help to reduce the sound coming from the ceilings.

1. Take Professional Help

You may face issues in soundproofing your ceiling or cannot determine the best solution for blocking sound. Well, in such cases, you can take the help of a soundproofing expert.

We recommend you consider legal considerations and building rules and regulations while dealing with noise problems.

2. Discuss Noise Issue With Neighbours

You can discuss the noise problem with your neighbors. Try to be calm, polite, and open mind while discussing the issue. You can explain how the noise affects your work or sleep to your neighbors.

If your neighbors don’t cooperate, you can file a complaint against them to the local authorities. But remember, this should be your last option.

3. Use Acoustic Curtains

Use acoustic curtains in your house to reduce noise coming from your ceilings. They are made from wool or polyester, which can absorb sounds. Hang these curtains on the ceiling to reduce sound waves. Another best thing is that they add a decorative touch to your house.

4. Sound Proof Your Doors And Windows

Sound can easily transmit through doors and windows. So you need to soundproof them. One way is to install acoustic panels on doors and windows to block sounds.

Conclusion

In order to soundproof your ceiling from noisy neighbors, you need to first begin by adding acoustic insulation like fiberglass between the ceiling joists. 

You can then install two layers of drywall to your existing ceiling and finish it off by installing sound-absorbing tile. It is the easiest and most effective way to block unnecessary sound from your ceiling. Well, we have discussed other methods too to soundproof your ceiling. 

FAQ : How To Soundproof A Ceiling From Noisy Neighbours