Tips
As we define in our Academy and review in our Walls section of the Applications Guide, sounds bleeding back and forth through a common structure including a ceiling travel along both airborne and structure borne paths. To combat each, we add density and a disconnected structure to help force the sound waves to collapse inside your ceiling cavity.
The joists in the ceiling are your primary culprit. If they are supporting both your ceiling and serving as the floor joists for the floor upstairs, that direct contact point becomes a conduit for sound transmission traveling in both directions. Your goal structurally is to lower your ceiling and/or raise the floor upstairs to create a disconnect. Then line the disconnected assembly with density to combat airborne noise. The density comes in the form of dB-Bloc featured in our Product Bin.
Finished Ceilings
For finished ceilings, simply staple a layer of dB-Bloc to your existing ceiling. Then anchor either a set of wooden 1x4 firring strips to your ceiling, or a ISO Clip/Metal Channel system to your ceiling. In either case, be sure to run these strips perpendicular to the direction of your floor joists. Then apply a new layer of drywall to these strips or metal hat channels and finish off your new ceiling. 1x4 wood slats are less costly and take up less vertical height in the room. The whole goal here is to provide a disconnect to your ceiling and line with weight. The sound waves will then collapse inside your ceiling rather than pass through in either direction.
Exposed Joist Ceiling
If your ceiling is unfinished, the joists are exposed and still remain the primary culprit. Follow the same technique. Staple dB-Bloc direct to your joists, then run a set of firring strips or metal hat channels perpendicular to the direction of the joists, and then apply your drywall to the strips. If you're putting a drop-grid ceiling tile system in instead of drywall, staple dB-Bloc to the joists, anchor that weight with the wooden 1x4 firring strips placed perpendicular to the direction of the joists, and then hang your grid. Drop the tiles into place.
Existing Drop Grid Ceiling System
If you have an existing ceiling tile system in place, you need to add density to your system to help block the bleed of noise in and out through the ceiling. You have two options. First, remove the system, anchor dB-Bloc to the exposed joists in the ceiling, anchor in place with 1x4 wood slats or metal channels, replace your grid, and drop your ceiling tiles back in place. Your alternative is to leave your tile system in place and rest our Ceiling Caps down ontop of your existing ceiling tiles to help add the density you need to combat the bleed of noise through the tiles. Remember, ceiling tiles themselves are not there to block noise, they are not weighted enough to combat sound bleed. The Ceiling Caps can be cut into 2x2 or 2x4 tiles. There are also light shrouds cut to rest atop fluorescent lighting.
Replacing Existing Ceiling Tiles
If you want to replace existing ceiling tiles with more effective tiles, and your goal is to block the noise from bleeding in and out through your ceiling, replace your tiles with the Granite Tiles showcased in our Product Bin. These are tiles lined with dB-Bloc and designed to trigger a drop in sound bleed through the ceiling. All products mentioned here are featured in our Product Bin.
Fiberglass Batting Insulation
Finally, regarding the use of fiberglass insulation, this material contains little density and does not create any disconnection to your ceiling assembly system. Stuffing insulation between your ceiling joists is a good idea for thermal insulation and controlling zone temperatures within your facility, but does little to block noise from bleeding in or out through your ceiling. The material will, however, help absorb energy trapped inside a disconnected ceiling assembly system that has been lined with dB-Bloc. The use of this material is your choice, but do not use it as a substitute for weight or disconnection.
Finally, for new build or remodels, consider more track lighting over recessed cannister lighting to help minimize the number of holes you are cutting into your ceiling.
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