Who doesn’t want to come home after a hard day and relax in peace and quiet from all the work? But often noise coming from neighbors or from the street prevents this dream from becoming a reality. A story familiar to almost every resident apartment buildings. Proper soundproofing of the floor, walls, and, most importantly, the ceiling will help protect yourself from neighbors with their loud TV, children's stomping or noisy parties.

And here the apartment owner faces new problem– what exactly is used to soundproof the ceiling in an apartment? The point is not that there is nowhere to purchase materials for this; rather, on the contrary, their selection is so extensive that you can get confused. For this reason, before going to a hardware store, it is advisable to learn more about modern materials for sound insulation and choose the option that best suits your ceiling and budget.

What are the noises and where do they come from?

But first, let’s get acquainted with our “enemy” and consider what types of noise you can encounter in your apartment.

All of them can be of three types:

• air;
• drums;
• structural;

Separately, this type of noise can stand out as acoustic(or better known as echo), but this is more of a problem for a concert hall, rather than for an apartment in a panel house. Now let's look at them in more detail.

Airborne noise- air vibrations created by someone talking, a working TV, a closing door and other objects and subjects. And if you hear a strong stomp on your ceiling or a nail being driven into it, this is impact noises created by mechanical impact on the ceiling. The third type of unwanted sounds is structural, the sources of which are ventilation, elevators, plumbing and other systems of an apartment building.

Soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment - modern materials

So, we’ve sorted out the types of noise, but how do they get into your apartment from above? Firstly, they can pass through the ceiling itself, especially if during the construction of the house the issue of sound insulation was not given due attention (or the builders violated the construction technology). Secondly, various cracks and crevices can serve as “conductors” of noise. Thirdly, sound can come through ventilation and joints with water supply and heating pipes.

Materials for soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment

Now it’s time to talk about modern materials that can be used to soundproof your home.

These include:

• Styrofoam;
• mineral wool;
• acoustic slabs;
• wood-based sound insulation;
• cork slabs;
• ecowool;
• felt;
• coconut fiber;
• membrane sound insulators;
• liquid sound insulation.

Styrofoam

Foam plastics include materials that are foamed plastics consisting of many porous cells. Thanks to this structure, polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam have been used as heat and sound insulators for quite a long time, so they can hardly be called “modern” materials. But it’s also impossible not to mention polystyrene foam - the material is very often used for soundproofing ceilings.

Its use is largely due to its low cost and ease of use - attach foam boards to the ceiling using “ liquid nails“is not a big deal, and they perform their task as a soundproofing material quite adequately.

But it has two big drawbacks, which is why they are now trying to abandon polystyrene foam. The first drawback is that the material burns very well. Second, even with relatively low heating, foam releases harmful substances into the air.

As for the numbers, polyurethane foam has a sound absorption coefficient of 0.4 at a sound frequency of less than 500 Hertz (hereinafter Hz) and 0.95-1 at higher frequencies. This coefficient shows how much sound energy is absorbed by a particular material. In this situation, 0.4 means that the foam absorbs 40% of the sound energy with a frequency of less than 500 Hz.

Mineral wool and acoustic slabs

Another widely used material for soundproofing ceilings in apartments is mineral wool. She represents fibrous material made from melts rocks or glass and assembled into flexible slabs or rolls. At an average sound frequency (about 1000 Hz), a layer of mineral wool 50 millimeters thick gives a sound absorption coefficient of 0.76.

Compared to polystyrene foam, this material is much safer - in the event of a fire, it does not burn, but only smolders, and then at very high temperatures. In addition, mineral wool is not susceptible to rotting or exposure to fungus and bacteria. But it requires good waterproofing, as it tends to absorb moisture and therefore lose its heat and sound insulating properties.

Important! Mineral wool tends to release tiny particles into the air that can get into the eyes or lungs. Therefore, when installing it, it is necessary to ensure not only waterproofing, but also good sealing. In addition, you can only work with it while wearing gloves, a respirator mask and safety glasses.

Prices for soundproofing panels

soundproof panel

Further developments of mineral wool are acoustic slabs - a material created for more effective sound absorption. As a rule, they are equipped with outer layers that act as waterproofing and sealing and act as a soundproofing material. In addition, acoustic slabs are impregnated with hydrophobic compounds that prevent them from absorbing water.

If, for example, we take MaxForte ECOslab, then during its production, unlike ordinary mineral wool, important criteria for sound insulation were taken into account:

Therefore, MaxForte-ECOslab absorbs noise as much as possible and has the maximum class “A” for noise insulation (NRC index 0.96). EKOplate can even be used when installing sound insulation systems for cinemas, theaters, and recording studios. MaxForte ECOslab is made from 100% volcanic rock, basalt. It has three varieties that differ in density: 60; 80; 110.

Prices for "MaxForte-EKOplit"

MaxForte-ECOstove

An example of such a material could be “Shumanet-BM” - an acoustic mini-plate 50 millimeters thick with a sound absorption coefficient of 0.9-1 at medium frequencies, made of basalt fiber. According to their characteristics, these materials are more effective, but at the same time their cost is higher than conventional foam plastic or mineral wool.

Soundproofing materials based on wood and cork

Surely the reader will now be surprised - how can wood be considered a modern material for sound insulation, since it has been used in construction for thousands of years? With the right approach, it is possible. Examples of this approach include “Izoplat”, Israeli-made soundproofing panels made from wood. To be more precise, these are environmentally friendly wood fiber boards, made without the addition of glue and additives harmful to humans. You can find Izoplat panels with a thickness of 12 and 25 millimeters, in the version with paraffin impregnation (to protect against moisture) and without it. The sound insulation coefficient of the “Izoplata” layer with a thickness of 25 mm is 0.95.

Series of ceiling soundproofing panels "Isotex"

There is also a more advanced version of this material - Isotex panels, which are a sandwich of paper base, two layers of fibreboards, a layer of aluminum foil and an outer decorative covering. “Isotex” is glued to the ceiling like sheets of foam plastic, but the panels have a tongue-and-groove connection to each other. Its advantage is that it closes gaps in the soundproofing material through which unwanted noise could penetrate. As in the case of acoustic mineral panels, such material is more efficient and environmentally friendly, but at the same time it is also expensive.

But the most expensive sound-absorbing material is considered cork panels. Their main advantage is the relatively small thickness of the layer, which will be sufficient for high-quality sound insulation of the ceiling. But at the same time, one nuance must be taken into account - the panels should not be attached to the ceiling itself, but to sheets of plasterboard, which, in turn, are attached to a frame placed under the ceiling. Otherwise, you will provide high sound insulation not for yourself, but for the neighbor above.

Video - Ecowool noise insulation test

Prices for ecowool

Environmentally friendly noise-absorbing materials

Now let's look at very rare, but very effective sound-absorbing materials with their own advantages - ecowool, felt and coconut fiber slabs.

The first in this list is environmentally friendly cotton wool, made from natural cellulose impregnated with antiseptics and fire retardants (additives that protect the material from rotting and burning). In addition to safety for others, especially for children, the advantage of the material is its good performance as a sound insulator - according to the manufacturer, a layer of material 25 millimeters thick has a sound absorption coefficient of 0.98.

But the main disadvantage of ecowool is the method of its installation. To do this, you will need to hire workers with special equipment that will moisten the material and spray it under pressure onto the ceiling surface. Accordingly, their services will not be free, which will affect the final cost of soundproofing the apartment ceiling using ecowool.

Concerning felt, then recently it has begun to be actively used as a material for sound insulation of cars. As in the case of cork panels, its main advantage is the relatively small thickness of the layer necessary for high-quality sound absorption. But, unlike it, soundproofing felt is relatively cheap - a sheet with a thickness of 10 mm and an area of ​​0.75 m2 will cost from 150 to 250 rubles.

Relatively rare materials for sound insulation are slabs made from coconut fiber. The rarity is largely explained by the price - one square meter of coconut coir can cost 400-700 rubles. The main advantage is safety and environmental friendliness, which is why it is often used as a soundproofing material for bedrooms and children's rooms.

Coconut coir

MaxForte EcoAcoustic is an environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic sound-absorbing board made of polyester fibers ( acoustic padding polyester). Unlike mineral wool, they are based on plastic elastic fibers that do not crumble when used. There are no adhesives in the composition, and the fibers are glued together using thermal bonding technology.

When installing sound insulation under a suspended ceiling, MaxForte EcoAcoustic slabs are fixed to the ceiling using plastic mushroom dowels. After the slabs cover the entire area of ​​the floor slab, a stretch ceiling sheet is installed below.

Prices for foam plastic

Styrofoam

Membrane and liquid sound insulators

Now let's look at the most modern materials - membrane and liquid sound insulators. If previous materials protect against noise from above by absorbing sound energy, then these materials reflect it.

Soundproofing membranes are made from dense rubbers, polymers and minerals. The result is a very thin, but at the same time relatively heavy coating that reflects all extraneous sounds and prevents them from penetrating into the room.

By combining such membranes with mineral wool or wood fiber boards, you can achieve the greatest effect and provide yourself with reliable sound insulation of the ceiling. An example of soundproofing membranes is the Texound coating and the PSHI fabric.

We should also talk about the method of its installation, which is labor-intensive.

1. Attach a frame made of wooden beams with a cross-section of 2x3 centimeters to the ceiling. When installing, use a large number of fasteners - the soundproofing membrane is quite heavy and the load on the frame will be serious.
2. Secure the membrane under the frame. To do this, you will need temporary fasteners made of hooks or other parts. In this case, the membrane sheets should be overlapped.
3. Now you need to mount a second frame from the same timber. As a result, the membrane will appear to be sandwiched between the first and second battens. The frames must be fastened together using long self-tapping screws.
4. Self-adhesive soundproofing tape seals all seams between membrane sheets, as well as various holes and areas that can serve as “channels” for noise from above.

As you can see, this method of protection from unwanted sounds from above requires a lot of space, since two sheathings are installed at once. Therefore, it should only be used in rooms with fairly high ceilings.

MaxForte SoundPRO is the latest composite material developed specifically for soundproofing apartments. Provides protection against noise caused by stomping, falling objects or grinding furniture (impact noise), as well as screaming, crying, loud TV or music (airborne noise) and has vibration-isolating properties. With a thickness of only 12 mm, the sound insulation performance of SoundPRO can be compared with the sound insulation of a classic five-centimeter slab.

Prices for MaxForte SoundPRO

Installation:

1. MaxForte SoundPRO is attached to the ceiling using mushroom dowels (3-4 pcs per m2).
2. The seams between the rolls are taped with construction tape.
3. A suspended ceiling is installed or a metal profile frame is mounted for further fastening of drywall.

An alternative to the membrane is liquid soundproofing materials such as Green Glue. They are made on the basis of polymers or bitumen and are sold in the form of tubes, like “liquid nails” or polyurethane foam. This material is well suited for creating high-quality sound insulation of suspended ceilings, when creating a “pie” of outer sheet drywall, a layer of liquid sound insulation and an inner sheet of drywall. And from the resulting panels a suspended ceiling is created.

Results

Now, to complete the comparison of materials for soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment, we present comparison table with the cost (prices are for 2016 and may vary) of each of them per 1 m2.

Table. Prices for popular soundproofing materials.

Material	Cost per 1 m2, rub.
Mineral wool ROCKWOOL Light Butts Scandic	165
Basalt slab Akustov-ShB	190
Expanded polystyrene Technoplex XPS	100
Acoustic mini-plate "Shumanet-BM"	260
ISOPLAAT board, 25 mm	500
Cork panel Egen Detroit	690
Ecowool, material and its installation	480-640
Coconut coir "Coconut 85"	400
Membrane coating "Texound 70"	1100
Liquid sound insulator Green Glue	700

In a situation where it is important to get rid of noise from above at minimal cost, mineral wool, acoustic boards made from it and polystyrene foam win. But at the same time, to create reliable sound insulation, you will need significant thickness layers of these materials, which will make your ceiling a little lower. Do you want to get thin but effective noise protection from above? Then you should give preference to Izoplat, membrane and liquid coatings, but at the same time the cost of measures to soundproof the ceiling in the apartment will increase significantly.

If you want to achieve best result It makes sense to combine sound-absorbing acoustic slabs and sound-insulating membrane coverings. This option is very expensive, but at the same time just as effective - with such soundproofing of the ceiling, you are unlikely to even hear your neighbors above. Now, having correlated the properties of materials and their cost, you can give preference to the most suitable option for your apartment and your wallet.

Video - Soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment - modern materials (tests)

Do you want to protect yourself from noisy neighbors from above, but don’t know how to soundproof the ceiling in an apartment? I will tell you about 4 methods of carrying out work that I have personally tested.

Types of work and their features

Let's look at the following options for carrying out work:

• Insulation with Izoplat boards;
• Sound insulation using special mineral wool;
• Sound insulation with mineral wool for suspended ceilings;
• Using Ekozvukoizol panels as a sound insulator.

Option 1: gluing Izoplat boards to the surface

To begin with, I’ll tell you about the main advantages of heat and sound insulating boards “Izoplat”:

• Natural and environmentally friendly. The boards are made from coniferous wood fibers by heat treatment and pressing. There are no chemical additives or adhesives in the composition. This allows you to use this option in premises of any purpose;
• Convenience. The material is manufactured in the form of sheets 2700x1200 mm. The parameters of the product are the same as conventional drywall. If desired, they can be mounted on a metal or wooden frame;

• Selecting options. Sheets can have a thickness of 8, 10, 12 and 25 mm. The 12 mm option is most often used, but if you need to insulate the ceiling in a room with high level noise, it is better to use elements with a thickness of 25 mm;
• Light weight. A sheet with a thickness of 8 mm weighs 6 kg, 10 mm - 8 kg, 12 mm - 10 kg and 25 mm - 20 kg. The lightness of the elements simplifies working with them;
• Smooth front surface. One side of the slabs is flat, making it easier to finish.

The cost of the slabs depends on their thickness. The price of a sheet of 8 mm is 600 rubles, 10 mm - 700 rubles, 12 mm - 800 rubles, and 25 mm - 1700 rubles.

This board is ideal for soundproofing rooms with low ceilings. With its help, you can qualitatively insulate the surface, while the ceiling height will decrease by only 15-20 mm. For work we need the following materials:

Illustration	Description of material
	Izoplat plates 12 mm thick. The quantity is calculated based on the area of ​​the ceilings that need to be insulated. When purchasing, always take material with a small margin of 5-10%, since cutting inevitably generates waste.
	Liquid Nails. With their help, the primary fixation of the elements will be carried out. You can use almost any option, the main thing is that the composition is suitable for wooden and concrete surfaces. One package is enough for about 3-4 square meters.
	Dowels for thermal insulation. It is best to use options with a plastic nail. They are cheaper and do not transmit sound vibrations, as can happen with options with a steel nail. Due to the light weight of the slabs, plastic nails provide the necessary reliability. For work, use options with a length of 70-90 mm, no longer needed. If you cannot find similar dowels, you can use a pressure washer and a regular quick-installation dowel 60 mm long.
	Primer. Before gluing soundproofing boards, the base must be primed. This is necessary to strengthen the surface and improve the adhesion of the adhesive composition.

Tool for work:

• Hammer. Used for drilling holes for dowels. Don't forget to stock up on drills of the required diameter and length. If the work is carried out in several rooms, there should be at least two drills, since during the work they wear out quite quickly;

• Brush or roller. Needed for applying primer to the ceiling;
• Liquid nail gun. The standard version for sealants is used. Choose stronger designs, since the adhesive composition is quite thick and when applied to the gun there are high loads.

• Ladder, table or flooring. Need to provide easy access to the ceiling. It is best to work with three people, so the design should be such that three people can sit on it;
• Wood saw or jigsaw. You can cut the slabs either with a power tool or with a regular hand hacksaw. Choose a tool with a small tooth size to minimize damage to the ends when sawing.

The work instructions look like this:

Illustration	Description of the stage
	The ceiling is being prepared. If there was whitewash or other finishing on it, it must be removed. If the surface has been painted and the paint adheres very firmly, then it is not necessary to remove it. The main thing is to remove everything that is not held securely.
	The ceiling is primed. The composition is applied over the entire surface in an even layer. The easiest and fastest way to work is with a roller. After treatment, you need to wait until the soil dries completely. This can take from several hours to a day, it all depends on the temperature in the room and the type of composition used.
	Glue is applied to the first sheet. First, the composition is distributed in an even strip along the perimeter with a distance of 2-3 cm from the edge.
	This is how the glue is applied in the middle. It is important to apply the composition to the entire sheet. You can do this as shown in the photo, or you can do it in a different way: in zigzags, in a chaotic manner, etc. The main thing is that there is glue not only at the edges, but also in the middle.
	The first sheet is installed on the ceiling. You should start from any corner. The work is carried out by three people: two install and hold the sheet, and the third drills holes and installs dowels.
	Holes for fasteners are drilled. The distance between the dowels should be 50-60 cm. They are located both at the edges and in the middle of the sheet. During operation, ensure the vertical position of the hammer drill.
	Dowels are inserted and fastening is made. Everything here is simple and quick: first, the dowel is placed all the way into the hole, then a plastic nail is driven in with a hammer.
	The following elements are attached. Everything is done in the same way as in the first case. There is one caveat - the transverse joints of the elements should not coincide. Therefore, each subsequent sheet is cut so that there is a discrepancy of at least 20 cm between the joints.
	This is what the result looks like. If there are wide gaps between the sheets, they need to be filled with polyurethane foam. Subsequently, the surface is puttied and painted or finished in any other way.

This material is also suitable for walls and floors, so you can soundproof all surfaces if you wish.

Option 2: insulating the frame under plasterboard with special wool

This type of work involves the use of special mineral wool. Such soundproofing materials have the following features:

• High sound and heat insulation performance. Mineral wool perfectly damps sound waves and at the same time serves as a good insulator. If you need to insulate and soundproof the ceiling, then better option can not found;

• Wide range of options. Products can be either in the form of slabs or in the form of rolls. The thickness can be from 2 to 10 cm. The best option- 50 mm, this is usually enough for high-quality insulation;

• Fire resistance. Mineral wool does not support combustion, which allows it to be used in rooms with high fire safety requirements;

• Availability. The cost of mineral wool is low; a square meter of 50 mm material will cost you 130-150 rubles.

The following materials are needed for work:

Illustration	Description of the stage
	Acoustic mineral wool. This is the main material we will use. It is best to purchase sheet options with a thickness of 50 mm; if you need to lay a layer of 100 mm, then you can simply lay two rows.
	Frame components. This includes the following: Main and guide profile; Self-tapping screws for fastening the structure; Dowel-nails for fixing to walls and ceilings.
	Acoustic suspensions. This is the main difference between the conventional design plasterboard ceiling and a soundproofing option. The elements are fasteners with a damper gasket, thanks to which sound vibrations from the ceiling are not transmitted to the structure.
	Drywall. Typically, 9 mm thick sheets are used for ceilings, but I recommend purchasing a 12.5 mm wall version. It will serve as an additional soundproofing layer, providing the best quality sound absorption.
	Acoustic tape. Glued to the wall profile. Prevents sound waves from the walls from being transmitted to the ceiling structure.

Tool for work:

• Hammer. For drilling holes in the ceiling and walls for fastening the frame;
• Screwdriver. In the process of constructing the frame, you need to tighten a lot of screws; it is difficult to do this manually. The screwdriver kit must include several attachments of the configuration you require;

• Construction knife. It can be used to cut both drywall and mineral wool. If you have very hard mineral wool, it will be more convenient to use special knife for thermal insulation materials;

• Level, tape measure and pencil;
• Ladder or other device for working on the ceiling.

Let's figure it out how to soundproof a ceiling:

Illustration	Description of the stage
	The walls are marked for the guide profile. The best way to do this is to use laser level, but you can get by with the usual one. The line must be at least 50 mm from the ceiling. Most often, mineral wool of this thickness is used, and constructing the frame is much easier.
	Acoustic tape is glued to the base of the profile. Remove the protective layer from the material, gently press it to the surface and cut it in the right place.
	. To do this, drilling is done in the wall at the location of the mounting holes for dowels. Then the choppers are inserted into the wall, and self-tapping screws are screwed into them or impact screws are driven into them.
	Suspensions are attached to the ceiling. They are located along the line of the main profile in increments of 50-60 cm. Fastening to the ceiling is done using dowels.
	The main profile is attached to the hangers. To do this, you must first use a level to set a certain position, and then tighten the screws in the right places.
	Mineral wool is placed in the frame. The sheets are carefully tucked into the cells, and the ends of the hangers, bent to the sides, serve as fixation of the material. It is important to lay the sound insulator as tightly as possible so that there are no gaps between the sheets.
	The finished surface looks like this: the sheets are arranged tightly, the entire ceiling is covered with mineral wool.
	The surface is covered with plasterboard. Here everything is done in a standard manner.

Option 3: sound insulation for suspended ceilings

If you have a suspended ceiling, you can use the option with mineral wool, but without a frame. Let's go straight to the list of everything you need:

Illustration	Description of the stage
	Soundproofing mineral wool. Both slab and roll versions are suitable. Recommended thickness - 50 mm. The ceiling height should be sufficient so that you can lower the level by 7-10 cm.
	Vapor barrier membrane. Used to protect insulation. When calculating the quantity, do not forget that at the material joints you need to make overlaps of at least 100 mm.
	Fastening for thermal insulation. The length should be 4-5 cm greater than the thickness of the mineral wool.
	Plastic clamps. Needed to connect vapor barrier sheets to each other. Instead of clamps, you can use a special double-sided vapor barrier tape, but it is not available in all stores.
	Rondol. This is the name of the pressure washer; it will be used to fix the vapor barrier.
	Dowels with mushroom head. Please note that in addition to the cap, the fastener has antennae-like protrusions. At their expense, the vapor barrier will be attached to the mineral wool. Please note that no screws are needed.

Tool:

• Hammer. And a drill of the required diameter and length;
• Hammer- for driving nails into dowels;

• Knife- for cutting mineral wool and vapor barrier material.

In this case, sound insulation on the ceiling in the apartment is attached as follows:

Illustration	Description of the stage
	Holes are drilled in the ceiling. The standard size of mineral wool sheets is 60x100 cm. There are 5 holes made for each element - four in the corners with an indentation of 4-5 cm from the edge and one in the middle. The depth of the hole should be 1 cm deeper than necessary. In order not to constantly control the drilling depth, wrap a piece of electrical tape or adhesive tape around the drill, this will be an excellent guide.
	Mineral wool is being fixed. Installation of ceiling sound insulation is very simple: A soundproofing mat is applied to the surface; In the right place, a mushroom dowel is inserted through the mineral wool; The fastener is inserted into the ceiling; A nail is driven in to secure the element.
	When attaching, do not press the material too hard. The dowel should not press the mineral wool tightly against the ceiling. The exception is options for slabs of high rigidity; they can be pressed firmly.
	The entire ceiling is covered with soundproofing. It is important to join the elements well so that they press tightly against each other and adhere well to the walls.
	The installation of the vapor barrier membrane begins. Let's figure out how to do the work yourself: You need to start from the wall. Holes are made in the membrane for dowels; A rondole is placed on the dowel, after which it is inserted into the mineral wool. Due to the antennae, the fasteners reliably hold the vapor barrier.
	Fastening is carried out over the entire surface. The fastener spacing is determined on site. It is important that the vapor barrier is pressed tightly against the mineral wool; if there is sagging somewhere, install another fastener.
	Connections are held together. In our case, plastic clamps were used. They are pushed into the holes punched under them and tightened. Excess ends are cut off. After this, you can install a suspended ceiling; the surface is well insulated.

Option 4: sound insulation using Ecozvukoizol material

I like this option for its simplicity and versatility, since the material serves both as an insulator and as a ceiling finish. The main features of Ecozvukoizol are as follows:

• Environmental friendliness. The products are a cardboard profile filled with a special mineral filler. The material does not contain chemical components and is completely safe. Another important advantage is vapor permeability, that is, moisture from the inside will evaporate without being retained in the structure;

• Strength. The material is very reliable and can withstand even significant loads without compromising the integrity of the elements. The ceiling made from Ekozvukoisol is much stronger than the plasterboard version;
• Simplicity installation. You do not need to lay mineral wool under the frame. Sound insulation of the ceiling is carried out simultaneously with surface covering. This saves time and effort.

As for the cost, it ranges from 700 to 900 rubles per square meter. Thickness can be 11, 12 or 13 mm. The height of the elements is 1200 mm, there are two width options - 800 and 450 mm, the weight of the first is 18.5 kg, the second - 10.5 kg.

Materials for work:

Illustration	Description of material
	Ecozvukoizol slabs. The quantity is calculated based on the area of ​​the ceilings. Do not forget to add a small margin, since during the work you need to cut elements and waste may be generated.
	Special tape for ends. Used to seal cut ends to cover the surface and prevent filler from spilling out of the cardboard profile.
	Frame components. This includes the following: Main and wall profile; The hangers are straight; Self-tapping screws for fastening; Dowel-nails for fixing the wall profile.
	Acoustic tape for wall profile. Used to create a soundproof barrier between the frame and the walls. The quantity is determined by the length of the walls in the room.
	Vibration isolating sealant. Used to seal joints and junctions between the structure and the wall.
	Enlarged washer M5. It will be put on self-tapping screws to increase the pressing area and thereby increase the reliability of fastening.

Tool:

• Hammer with drill;
• Screwdriver with PH2 attachment;
• Construction knife;
• Tape measure, level and pencil;
• Caulking gun;
• Fine tooth hacksaw- for cutting sheets.

The process of soundproofing a ceiling looks like this:

Illustration	Description of the stage
	The wall profile fastening line is marked. It is necessary to draw the lower edge of the future structure. It is important to accurately mark the perimeter so that the plane is level.
	Soundproofing tape is glued to the wall profile. Just carefully unwind the material, place it evenly on the profile and gently press along its entire length. The tape is very easy to cut with a regular construction knife.
	The guide profile is attached. The work consists of the following actions: Points are marked and holes are drilled for dowel-nails; Dowels are installed. They should enter the surface until the cap rests against the profile; The screw is driven in with a hammer; there is no need to tighten it. If you need to remove the dowel, the screw is unscrewed with a screwdriver.
	Suspensions are attached. The process looks like this: First, lines are drawn on the ceiling where the profile will go; Holes are drilled along the lines for attaching hangers; The elements are fixed with quick installation dowels.
	The main profile is inserted into the guide. The elements are aligned, the hangers are bent as shown in the photo. Then, using a level, the positions of the elements are checked. If necessary, corrections are made and the profile is fixed with self-tapping screws. The excess parts of the hangers are simply bent upward so that they do not interfere with further work.
	Jumpers are attached. Since Ekozvukoizol sheets are heavy, the frame should be reinforced with jumpers. The distance between them is adjusted to the size of the sheets. Each joint must be on the profile, remember this simple rule. The easiest way to attach the cross members is with special crab fasteners. They are simply put on the longitudinal profile, after which a jumper is placed and screws are screwed in. It turns out reliable frame for suspended ceiling made of Ekozvukoisol.
	Fastening starts from the corner. Before installing each subsequent sheet, soundproofing sealant is applied to the joint. It is important that the connection is completely filled with the compound, as shown in the photo. The picture also shows how the material is fixed: washers are put on the self-tapping screw.
	If necessary, the sheets are cut. The most important thing is to take accurate measurements and mark the element before cutting. Leave a gap of 2-3 mm so that the sheet fits into place and you do not have to trim it further.
	A special tape is glued to the cut ends. It is sold together with Ecozvukoizol and is needed to ensure that the filler does not spill out of the cut areas, because inside the material has a honeycomb structure.
	All connections are treated with sealant. This is a very important part of the process, so be sure to do it ahead of time. It is important not to cover the joint from the outside, but to fill it across its entire width.
	The sheets are very carefully aligned before fastening. You must butt them together so as not to tear off the sealant from the end. The composition should appear throughout the entire joint; this is a sign of high-quality filling of the joint. After this, fastening is carried out.
	The junctions along the perimeter of the walls are filled with sealant. The better you fill the voids, the better the sound insulation you will get. Don't skimp on the sealant.
	The finished ceiling is left until the sealant dries. Then the excess composition is carefully cut off and the surface is puttied.

Conclusion

Soundproofing the ceiling is a simple process; choose any of the four options and implement it in your apartment. The video in this article will help you understand the topic even better. If you have questions, ask in the comments below.

To soundproof the ceiling in an apartment, two design options are currently used - frame and frameless suspended ceiling systems.

We also note that there is a third, often the most successful option for soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment - insulating the floor of the neighbor above. Unfortunately, this option is most often not applicable for objective reasons. At the same time, it is worth recognizing that it is significantly cheaper, and is also much more effective in protecting against impact noise. Therefore, if your upstairs neighbor is ready to meet you and the current SNiP “Noise Protection” halfway, we recommend solving the problem on his part.

Frameless ceiling sound insulation systems

The most famous frameless ceiling sound insulation system among modern materials for ceiling sound insulation on the Russian market is called ZIPS and stands for Sound Insulating Panel System. The soundproofing structure in this case consists of a ZIPS sandwich panel, which has eight vibration-isolating fastening units, and a finishing sheet of weighted plasterboard AKU-Line. The sandwich panel without gaps is mounted directly to the ceiling through vibration units using special fasteners, and the drywall is screwed to the panel. The panels are joined together using the tongue-and-groove principle.

Depending on the thickness of the system (from 53 to 133 mm), the indices of additional airborne noise insulation are 9-18 dB for floors with an initial sound insulation of 50 dB. Note! Indicating the type of floor for which additional airborne noise insulation values ​​are obtained is extremely important, since various manufacturers talk about the “achievements” of their designs on load-bearing structures with its own noise insulation of less than 40 dB, where it is much easier to add 15 dB, not to mention 10 dB. The main characteristics of ZIPS systems - thickness and efficiency are given in Table 1.

Table 1 Comparison of frameless soundproofing ceiling structures

*ΔRw - index of ADDITIONAL airborne noise insulation provided by the structure

Distinctive feature ZIPS is the complete readiness of this system for quick and high-quality installation: vibration-isolating fastening elements included in the design, a set of special fasteners for various types of floors and vibration-isolating gaskets. Therefore, the likelihood of errors during installation of ZIPS systems is minimized. This good foundation to the use of ZIPS for those who care about the final result, namely, a high level of noise insulation of the room. It is important that these systems have been produced for 17 years, and the total footage of insulated surfaces has already exceeded 2 million square meters. At the beginning of 2016, the manufacturer presented the third generation ZIPS system - model ZIPS-III-Ultra. The design is only 55 mm thick, but provides up to 13 dB of additional airborne noise insulation.

Video about the soundproofing panel system ZIPS-III-Ultra:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the high popularity of ZIPS in the market of modern noise reduction materials, currently a large number of different manufacturers produce and distribute their sandwich panels, which are very similar in appearance to ZIPS panels. Such products are made from combinations of various materials, but they lack the most important component for noise reduction - vibration-isolating fastening units. Only a design containing vibration units truly provides high acoustic characteristics of frameless systems with an additional level of noise reduction. In the absence of vibration-isolating fasteners, any sandwich system is not much different from the Soviet version of an additional level of noise reduction in the form of dry plaster on gypsum beacons, and its effect does not exceed 2 - 4 dB.

Frame soundproofing ceilings

Frame soundproofing systems traditionally consist of more elements than frameless ones. To obtain the declared acoustic effect, they must be installed correctly, which significantly increases labor costs and the impact of installation quality on the final result. However, these systems also have an undeniable advantage: such solutions are based on widely known to every builder plasterboard technologies and in fact represent a kind of “tuning” of famous modern designs suspended ceilings from gypsum plasterboard. Another important advantage frame ceilings It is possible to simultaneously use them not only to reduce noise, but also to level the surface of ceilings.

The set of components that make up an effective soundproofing suspended ceiling in an apartment is a combination of both general construction and special sound-absorbing modern materials. So, in order:

Metal carcass. Ultra Steel metal profiles from Gyproc are used to construct the frames of suspended soundproof ceilings. Profile elements are produced in Russia, and the choice of this manufacturer is determined by high quality products. The metal frame is a general construction element of a suspended ceiling and is also used for ordinary cladding, partitions and ceilings.

In addition to this Album, the values ​​of additional sound insulation and suspended ceiling structures, indicating their thicknesses, are given here in Table 2.

table 2 Comparison of modern frame ceiling soundproofing structures

*ΔRw - index of ADDITIONAL airborne noise insulation provided by the structure.

It should be noted that the effectiveness of both frame and frameless systems of additional sound insulation is indicated by a “plug” of two decibels. Thus, the manufacturer sets a certain margin of safety for the results of their use, since laboratory values ​​(the upper value of the interval) are not always achievable on real objects, even with full compliance with the installation technology. This demonstrates Acoustic Group’s responsible approach to guaranteeing acoustic efficiency for its branded products.

Soundproofing the ceiling from neighbors above

From above, through interfloor covering, two types of noise reach us - airborne noise and impact noise.

Airborne noise- These are sounds traveling through the air, sound from a TV, etc.

Impact noise occurs when there is a direct impact on the ceiling - adults’ heels are clicking, children are running, chairs are moving, etc. From the ceiling, sound is transmitted to the walls and radiated into the room below both from the ceiling and from the walls.

The ceiling must have soundproofing properties to protect from noise the rooms located both below, under the ceiling, and above, above it. To protect the rooms below from noise, building regulations establish sound insulation standards for airborne and impact noise for floors. When transmitting sounds from bottom to top, only sound insulation from airborne noise is regulated.

The Code of Practice, SP 51.13330.2011 “Protection from Noise”, establishes the following sound insulation standards for residential floors:

where R w is the index of airborne noise insulation by enclosing structures, dB (decibel);
L nw is the index of the reduced impact noise level, dB.

The actual airborne noise insulation index of the ceiling must be greater than the norm, and Impact noise level index is the opposite, the lower the better.

It should be taken into account that the values ​​of standard sound insulation indices indicated in the table are This is a compromise between the level of sound comfort and construction costs. Obviously, comfort is sacrificed to the construction budget.

I recommend focusing on higher values ​​of sound insulation indices of enclosing structures - 3-7 dB higher than standard values. This solution will provide better sound comfort compared to apartments in standard houses.

It should be noted that all types of floors usually used in construction practice cannot meet regulatory requirements for noise protection without additional sound insulation. This especially applies to protecting the rooms below from impact noise.

For additional protection of the rooms located below, under the ceiling, from impact and airborne noise, it is necessary to ensure that sound from the floor is not transmitted to the ceiling. To do this, place soundproofing gasket between the floor and the ceiling. This principle of sound insulation is used in the construction of a “floating floor”.

Unfortunately, floating floors are very rare in our apartments. For this reason, in order to protect from noisy neighbors above, it is necessary to install sound insulation on the ceiling of the apartment from below the ceiling.

In addition, if you are a fan of loud music and often have musical instruments playing in your apartment or powerful audio equipment, then To save the nerves of yours and your neighbors above, sound insulation on the ceiling is also necessary. Noise protection is most effective if placed closer to the sound source.

Soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment

It should be taken into account that sound insulation on the ceiling best reduces airborne noise. Sound insulation on the ceiling protects less effectively from impact noise from above. The sounds of impacts that reach the slab or floor beams easily transfer to the walls and are transmitted to the room below.

Soundproofing the ceiling most often has to be done in apartments when it is not possible to insulate the ceiling from above.

Suspended ceiling - effective sound insulation of the floor from below

Soundproofing a floor using a suspended ceiling is especially effective when transmitting sound from bottom to top

Placing a special film (membrane) between the sheets of cladding significantly increases the noise-proof properties of the ceiling. Viscoelastic membrane mm kg/m 2

kg/m 2 with a thickness of 2.5 mm. In the Russian Federation, one of the companies sells material under the brand name Shumoblok TM. The material is sold in rolls 120 wide cm and length 5 m.

On the construction market you can find another soundproofing elastic membrane trademark Tecsound. The Texaund 70 roll has dimensions (5 m x 1.22 m x 3.7 mm) and area 6.1 m 2.

Universal soundproofing mounts Vibrofix Protector for suspended ceiling frame profiles.

For attaching a suspended ceiling frame to the ceiling It is recommended to use special soundproofing mounts— pendants. A distinctive feature of such suspensions is the presence of an elastic element in their design.

The number of suspensions is calculated so that each suspension carries a certain load, at which the resonant frequency of the suspended ceiling system would be sufficiently low.

Sound-absorbing material in suspended ceilings is usually acoustic mineral wool mats or slabs. Soundproofing materials in the ceiling are laid tightly without gaps.

Sound insulation under suspended ceilings

Sound insulation under a suspended ceiling on a frame. Minimum thickness of structure 110 mm. Additional airborne noise insulation index: ΔRw = 14 – 16 dB.

The most effective sound insulation under a suspended ceiling is a device on the ceiling of a noise-proof suspended ceiling. The suspended ceiling structure contains all the elements (layers) necessary to reflect, dissipate and absorb sound energy over a wide range of frequencies.

For noise protection of ceilings under a suspended ceiling, there are no special requirements for leveling and finishing the surface. For this reason, some changes can be made to the design of the suspended ceiling.

For example, for covering the ceiling, both for the outer and inner layers, gypsum fiber sheets are used. This material is denser than gypsum plasterboard, which improves sound insulation.

If it is not planned to lay a viscoelastic membrane between the sheathing sheets, then the sheathing is done in one layer with sheets of increased thickness. True, such a solution will worsen the sound insulation.

For cladding along the frame, you can also use acoustic panels made of Fonstar corrugated cardboard (PhoneStar) in one layer.

Noise-proof suspended ceiling of minimum height

In order not to greatly reduce the height of the room, they often try to make the thickness of the noise protection under the suspended ceiling in the apartment smaller.

For sound insulation under a suspended ceiling, it is advantageous to install a suspended ceiling with a minimum thickness of 55 mm.

An elastic substrate is laid on the ceiling over the entire area, for example, an acoustic sheet or soundproofing mats with a thickness of 10-20 mm. The substrate is fixed to the ceiling using mushroom dowels 70 long mm(2-3 mushrooms per 1 m2). The panels are overlapped by 4-5 cm. The joints of the panels are sealed with mounting tape with reinforcement.

Profiles metal frame PP 60/27 mm. fixed without vibration suspensions, directly to the ceiling through the substrate. To fasten profiles, special acoustic dowels - nails - are used. The absence of vibration suspensions, of course, reduces the noise-proof properties of the coating.

At the points where the frame is attached to the ceiling, the substrate is compressed and acts as a damper, reducing the transmission of vibration. Over the rest of the ceiling area, the material works to absorb sound waves due to its fibrous structure.

The gaps between the profiles can be additionally filled with sound-absorbing material - thin acoustic mineral wool slabs or mats.

The ceiling system must be vibration-isolated from the walls. It is necessary to lay a damping tape in two layers under the guide profiles.

Soundproof ceiling on a self-supporting frame

The self-supporting frame made of metal profiles has no connections with the ceiling. The frame is secured to the walls through an elastic damping gasket.

For soundproofing small rooms up to 3 m.(span) it can be advantageous to make a self-supporting frame from metal profiles. Such the frame has no connection with the ceiling, which has a positive effect on the noise-proof properties of the ceiling.

Holes with a diameter of 10-14 are drilled in the PN guide profiles mm., into which elastic vibration-decoupling mounting elements are inserted.

To the opposite long walls rooms, under the ceiling, PN guide profiles are installed. A damper tape is laid between the profile and the wall over the entire height of the ceiling.

The profile is secured to the wall with dowels through elastic elements inserted into the profile. On sale you can find PN profiles with vibration mounting units already installed at the factory.

Elastic vibration decoupling mounting fasteners for guide profiles

Otherwise, vibration mounts for profiles are purchased and inserted into the profile yourself.

PS rack profiles are fixed into the guide profiles in increments of 0.6 m. When flying more than 2 m. rack profiles must be double. Acoustic slabs or mats are fixed to the ceiling or laid on top of the frame. You can additionally lay sound insulation slabs between the profiles.

Frameless sound insulation for suspended ceilings

If the ceiling does not have sharp differences in height (steps more than 10 mm high), then it is convenient to use frameless structures for sound insulation.

Frameless sound insulation with ZIPS panels

Noise and sound insulation under a suspended ceiling. Upper layer— ZIPS panels; bottom layer - sheets of gypsum fiber board or gypsum board

Frameless sound insulation system with soundproofing panels ZIPS-Vector for additional sound insulation of ceilings under a suspended ceiling. Total thickness of sound insulation layer 55 mm. Additional airborne noise insulation index: ΔRw = 11 – 13 dB.(read more for more details).

The panels are fixed to the ceiling only through the existing fastening points. They are separated from all walls by two layers of elastic tape. Sheets of plasterboard or gypsum fiber boards are secured to the panels with self-tapping screws.

Frameless sound insulation with FonStar panels

The acoustic panel PhoneStar (similar products are also produced and sold under other trade names: Ticho; SoundGuard, etc.) has excellent soundproofing abilities. Read more about the materials below.

If there are no large and sharp differences (steps) on the ceiling, then FonStar panels can be attached under the suspended ceiling without lathing, directly to the ceiling. The panels are fixed to the ceiling using plastic acoustic dowels and nails.

In all cases, plasterboard sheets are attached to the acoustic panel with self-tapping screws 20 mm long.

Soundproofing of suspended ceiling Economy

The installation of suspended plus suspended ceilings under the ceiling is quite an expensive undertaking. In an economical option, only a layer of soft and light acoustic mineral wool slabs is often placed on the ceiling under a suspended ceiling.

Acoustic mineral wool slabs with a thickness of 3 - 5 can be used as a sound-absorbing layer. cm. The ceiling under the suspended ceiling is covered with sound insulation over the entire area. The materials are fastened to the ceiling using plastic dowels. The noise reduction level is up to 6 dB (2 times), this is noticeably less than the option with a suspended ceiling.

Do-it-yourself sound and noise insulation of the ceiling in an apartment

Ceiling metal profile PP 60/27. Gypsum fiber sheet GVL thickness 10 mm. GKL plasterboard thickness 12.5 mm. Sound insulation boards made of stone wool density not less than 60-80 kg/m 3., thickness 30-50 mm. Vibration suspensions based on Sylomer material. Sealing self-adhesive tape made of chemically cross-linked polyethylene foam, 3 mm thick. in two layers.

The suspended ceiling is hemmed using lathing attached to the slab or floor beams using elastic hangers.

To reduce the resonant frequency of the oscillatory system, the elastic suspension is the casing, it is recommended to increase the mass of the casing sheets. The use of a multilayer structure, in which each layer has its own structure and elasticity of the material, different densities and other differences, allows you to effectively reflect, absorb and dissipate sound energy.

Ready-made parts for suspended ceilings on elastic hangers can be found on the construction market.

Installation procedure for ceiling soundproofing

Before starting work on soundproofing the ceiling, carefully inspect the ceiling for cracks. The cracks must be expanded and sealed with cement-sand mortar.

Look at where the floor slabs meet the walls. If cracks are found, they must also be eliminated.

The design of a suspended ceiling using elastic elements based on the material Sylomer (Austria) has proven itself very well in practice.

Install vibration suspensions on the ceiling to secure the metal profile of the suspended ceiling. The number of vibration suspensions is calculated based on the total weight of the structure. Usually we accept a suspension pitch of 600x800 mm. The outermost vibrating suspensions in the rows are located no closer than 150 mm from the wall. Recommended fastener – universal self-tapping screw 6x70 mm and plastic dowel 8x60 mm or metal wedge anchor 6x60 mm.

Attach guide profiles PN 27/28 to the walls mm. Under the guide profiles you need to put a damping tape in two layers. For fastening use dowels 6x40 mm. based on 2 PC. by 1 linear meter profile.

Secure soundproofing boards over the entire ceiling area. For fastening, the slabs are pinned onto vibration suspensions installed on the ceiling. Additionally, plastic mushroom dowels with a length of 70-100 are used. mm. You can also use polyurethane foam adhesive. Installation of slabs before installation of the ceiling profile, allows you to cover the entire surface of the floor with sound insulation without any gaps.

Install the suspended ceiling frame using vibration suspensions using elements of the PP 60/27 ceiling profile mm. Bearing and cross profiles mounted on one level in a standard way. The position of the profiles on the ceiling should be such that All joints of the sheathing slabs must fall on the profile.

After installing the frame structure from the guide profile PN 27/28 mm. the temporary dowel-nails securing it to the wall are removed. The ceiling frame should remain hanging only on vibration suspensions.

The first layer of gypsum fiber sheathing is installed on the frame. GVL sheets thickness 10 mm. The sheets are attached to the profile using 3.5x20 self-tapping screws mm with a pitch between screws of 20 cm. The sheets on the ceiling are placed offset (in a staggered manner) so that the joints do not merge into one line along the entire ceiling. Along the edges of the ceiling, gypsum fiber sheets rest against a damping tape. Sheet joints are sealed with vibration-resistant silicone sealant. Instead of gypsum plasterboard sheets, plasterboard gypsum boards can be used for the first layer of sheathing, which will lead to some deterioration in sound insulation parameters.

Then a second layer of sheathing made of gypsum board sheets with a thickness of 12.5 is attached to the frame. mm. The sheets are laid offset relative to the first layer, so that the joints of the sheets in the first and second layers do not coincide. To attach the second layer, use 3.5x40 self-tapping screws mm.

The joints between the gypsum board sheets are sealed as usual, using putty and sizing them with tape.

After installing the suspended ceiling sheathing, it is necessary to cut off the protruding parts of the damping tape. Seams along the perimeter of the sheathing, in places where they adjoin the walls, if necessary, are sealed with silicone vibroacoustic sealant. The use of polyurethane foam is unacceptable!

Materials for sound and noise insulation of ceilings

Soundproofing slabs made of mineral wool

IN mineral wool slabs The fibrous particles are held together by an adhesive.

Special slabs made of acoustic mineral wool are used as a sound-absorbing filling for a suspended ceiling or under a suspended ceiling. Acoustic mineral wool is distinguished by a special arrangement of fibers. Due to this, it has low dynamic stiffness and better noise absorption compared to ordinary wool. At the same time, this material remains a good heat insulator.

The ability to absorb sound is highly dependent on the density of the slab material ( kg/m 3). The higher the density of mineral wool slabs, the better the sound is muffled.

Since slabs made of acoustic mineral wool are used indoors in residential premises, I advise you to pay attention to the indicators of the release of harmful substances from them. Often, sellers will tell you about the environmental friendliness of the material, about the absence of phenol emissions, phenol-formaldehyde, but are silent about other emissions.

Various manufacturers market acoustic mineral wool products under their own trade names. For example, acoustic mineral wool AcoustCWool Concept (54 kg/m 3±10%, NG).

Most often on sale you can find noise protection boards measuring 1-1.2x0.6 m. and thickness 20 - 50 mm., with a bulk density of 45-110 kg/m 3.

Soundproofing mats

A soundproofing mat (acoustic fabric) is similar to a quilt. In it, compressed fibrous material is enclosed in a shell of fabric or film. Noise-proof mats can have a length of up to 10 m., width 1-2 m. and thickness 10-20 mm.

The material can be cut, bent, folded, squeezed. When squeezed, it has elasticity.

For example, the SoundGuard COVER heat and sound insulating mat contains fiberglass canvas, mechanically compressed and sealed in a protective spunbond shell. Serves as a vibration-damping pad under the floor screed and as a noise-absorbing layer in wall and ceiling structures. The dimensions of the SoundGuard CARPET heat and sound insulating mat are 1500x5000x15 mm. Bulk density – 136 kg/m3. Surface density – 1.46 kg/m 2.

Sound insulation of ceiling sandwich panels

Recently, sandwich panels have begun to gain great popularity in the market of soundproofing materials. They are a multilayer slab made of materials with different properties - different densities and structures in each layer. Alternating layers with different densities and structures helps dissipate sound energy.

The advantages of using panels include the absence of the need to install a metal frame - they are attached directly to the ceiling. In addition, it is often possible to reduce the overall thickness of the sound insulation layer, which reduces the loss of room height. The disadvantage is that To install sandwich panels, the ceiling surface must be leveled with plaster.

The panels are mounted using vibration-isolating fasteners through special units manufactured by the manufacturer. The thickness of such panels can be from 8 to 150 mm, and is selected based on the requirements for ceiling sound insulation. The panels can be joined to each other using a tongue-and-groove connection.

A finishing layer of plasterboard with a thickness of 12.5 is attached directly to the sandwich panel. mm. If a layer of viscoelastic membrane is placed between the panels and the drywall, the level of sound protection will increase noticeably. The increase in the sound insulation index of a wall with sandwich panels can be from 9 to 20 dB.

Sandwich panel made of corrugated cardboard

Soundproofing the ceiling using acoustic panels 15 thick mm., total thickness including the finishing layer of drywall 32 mm., increases the airborne noise index by 9-10 dB.

For example, the Ticho acoustic panel (similar products are also produced and sold under other trade names: Fonstar (PhoneStar); SoundGuard, Sonoplat (Sonoplat), etc.) is made of durable cellulose multilayer corrugated cardboard.

Inside the panel there are several chambers filled with sand, feldspar-quartz composition of different fractions using vibration compaction.

The panel has excellent soundproofing properties. This result is achieved by increasing the specific gravity of the panel, increasing the number of alternations of dissimilar layers and an integrated, elastic, vibration-damping layer, as well as free, unconnected filler particles.

The panels are intended for use in dry and heated rooms. Panel dimensions 1200 x 800 mm., thickness 8-17 mm. and weight 10.5 - 21 kg. The panels can be easily sawed with a hand saw or power tool. When sawing, slight spillage of filler may occur. The edge of the cut is covered with construction tape.

Acoustic panels made of corrugated cardboard can have a profiled edge for convenient and high-quality installation of soundproofing coating

The panels are attached so that their smooth side with the label remains on the outside. The panels are fixed directly to the ceiling using plastic acoustic dowels and nails. When marking holes, the distance from the edge of the panel is 50 mm, step 200-250 mm. The dowel head must be recessed by 2 mm deep into the panel and coat the top with soundproofing sealant. This is done to avoid contact between the dowel and the gypsum board sheet, which is sewn over the panels.

The panels are attached to the ceiling profile using GM 3.5x30 self-tapping screws. One panel requires at least 21 screws. The rows of panels are arranged staggered (with a slight offset of the joints so that they do not coincide with each other).

Acoustic sealant is applied to the panel joints. The sealant is also applied to the fastening points, and the holes in the panels for the passage of pipes and other communications are sealed. After installation, the joints of the panels are taped with adhesive tape.

Drywall sheets are secured to the panels with self-tapping screws in increments of 400 mm. To avoid creating sound bridges, the drywall is fastened with self-tapping screws 20 mm long. mm. to the panels, and not to the sheathing profiles.

The edge of the gypsum board, which runs along the perimeter of the ceiling, should not come into contact with the walls, as this can become a sound-conducting bridge. There is a gap of 3-5 mm, which is also treated with soundproofing sealant.

Finishing work (puttying, painting, whitewashing, priming, etc.) directly on soundproofing panels, without sheathing with gypsum board sheets, leads to deformation of the surface of soundproofing panels and the impossibility of their operation.

Sandwich panel made of ZIPS mineral wool

Here is another example of a soundproofing sandwich panel. A layer of acoustic mineral wool is factory-installed on a gypsum fiber board and vibration-isolating sockets are made for attaching the panel to the wall. Watch a video about such a wall soundproofing system sandwich panels ZIPS:

Index of additional airborne noise insulation of the ZIPS-III-Ultra panel system: ΔRw = 11 – 13 dB. Sandwich panel thickness: 42.5 mm.
Total thickness of the system with the finishing layer of gypsum board: 55 mm.

Depending on the thickness of the mineral wool layer, ZIPS panels can have a total thickness of 40 - 120 mm.

In addition to the panels, do not forget to purchase a mounting kit for them.

Sandwich panels made of polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam

On the construction market you can find sandwich panels that use foamed polymers as a sound-absorbing layer: polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam, polyethylene foam, polyurethane foam. The soundproofing properties of such panels, especially for protection against airborne noise, are significantly lower than those described above. Sellers often mislead buyers by claiming the opposite.

Viscoelastic soundproofing membranes

Viscoelastic membrane is a synthetic soundproofing material polymer based. The most important difference material is its elasticity combined with high density. With a thickness of 1.8–5.3 mm the surface density of the membranes is 3.5–10 kg/m 2. The combination of materials with different properties in the skin creates conditions for multiple reflection, dispersion and absorption of sound wave energy in each layer.

Soundproofing systems using plasterboard sheets and viscoelastic membranes are used not only for soundproofing ceilings, but also for walls and acoustic screens. The membrane is glued directly to the surface of the plasterboard sheets from the inside, from the side of the supporting frame. The most effective use of the membrane is as a clamped layer between two sheets of drywall.

For example, a soundproofing elastic membrane made of Mass Loaded Vinyl, which contains the mineral Baryte or Argonite. Acousticblok, a well-known brand of material abroad, has a surface density of 5 kg/m 2 with a thickness of 2.5 mm.

In the Russian Federation, one of the companies sells material under the brand name Shumoblok TM. The material is sold in rolls 120 wide cm and length 5 m.

You can find another one on the construction market soundproofing elastic membrane of the Tecsound brand. The Texaund 70 roll has dimensions (5 m x 1.22 m x 3.7 mm) and area 6.1 m 2. Sound insulation Texound is an ultra-thin elastic heavy membrane, the basis of which is the natural mineral aragonite, which has a high specific gravity, and binding polymers. This composition provides the Texaund 70 membrane with elasticity with a record surface density (6.9 kg/m²) with a thickness of less than 4 mm.

Gluing gypsum board sheets with Texound70 membrane. The sheets are placed on a horizontal surface. Make sure that they do not get dirty or small debris. Glue is applied evenly onto the gypsum board sheet using a roller. Baurger glue consumption 0.2 l/sq.m. It is possible to use a self-adhesive membrane Tecsound 70SY. The Texaund 70 membrane is evenly laid out on top of the drywall. The edges of the membrane should protrude beyond the edge of the gypsum board by 1 cm from each side. The smooth surface of the membrane is glued to the gypsum board, the side glued with the fabric remains clean, it will be adjacent to the first layer of plasterboard on the suspended ceiling. The edges of the Texound70 membrane protruding beyond the edge of the gypsum board sheet are trimmed as smoothly as possible. GKL sheets glued with a membrane are mounted on the first layer of GKL with 3.5x45 self-tapping screws mm.

Noise-Insulating Cloth (PSI)– this is a heavy membrane, of small thickness (2-4 mm), which is a composite of high-quality rubbers. This material has good elasticity and can be used in various soundproofing structures. High sound insulation properties with small thickness are achieved due to mass. Material weight is 7.6 kg/m 2, with a thickness of 4 mm. Membranes are made with or without adhesive.

Fastening materials for ceiling soundproofing

Acoustic dowel nail

Soundproofing materials in your city

Schumann. Plasterboard sheet. Gypsum fiber sheet. Sound-absorbing plate. Acoustic. GKL. GVL. Sound-absorbing plate. Sound-absorbing panel. Soundproofing membrane. Soundproofing panel. Soundproofing the wall. Soundproofing the ceiling. Soundproofing screed. Sound insulation under suspended ceiling. Vibration-isolating mount. Vibration suspension. Soundproof socket box. ZIPS-Vector. Soundproof Guide profile. PN profile. Rack profile. PS Profile. Soundproofing adhesive tape. Soundproof socket box. Soundproofing sockets

For comfortable living in multi-storey buildings, several components are important, one of which is noise level. A good option for reducing noise levels would be to soundproof the ceiling in an apartment under a suspended ceiling. Exists special means, which simultaneously serve as noise absorption and insulation. There are also special materials on sale that are intended only for sound insulation.

Types of soundproofing materials

There are various devices that serve as noise protection. Some modern suspended ceilings can also absorb sounds. But it is advisable to install such coverings, combining them with materials for soundproofing the ceiling in the apartment.

To protect the living space from incoming street sounds, or from the upper floors, the following soundproofing materials for the ceiling are used:

• types of mineral wool;
• polystyrene foam (regular, extruded);
• slabs, cork sheets;
• foam mats;
• Mineral-based sound insulators.

Regardless of the choice of soundproofing materials for the ceiling, first carry out preparatory work for its installation. Preparation consists of installing a frame structure of a tension covering, behind which sound insulation will be hidden, preventing the entry of unnecessary sounds.

Soundproofing features

You can protect your apartment from noise different ways Therefore, different materials are used for soundproofing the ceiling. All varieties must have special qualities:

1. sound should not be absorbed, but reflected. The materials have a certain strength, due to which sound waves arriving from outside cannot rock the ceiling;
2. sound absorption occurs due to the porous, fibrous structure of insulating materials.

The sound cannot penetrate the material, but rocks it, generating a secondary sound signal. Therefore, it is recommended to use a sound-absorbing structure from the inside, and finish the sound insulation from the outside.

To choose the best soundproofing material for the ceiling, you need to focus on the following parameters:

1. thickness;
2. sound insulation coefficient;
3. flammability;
4. check the material for the content of harmful substances (certificate).

The purpose of noise-absorbing materials is to slow down the sound wave and then completely absorb it.

Anti-noise tension covering

Any suspended ceiling covering in an apartment itself absorbs a certain percentage of sound effects. This happens due to the air space between the concrete floors and the tension fabric.

In some apartments, tension covering alone is not enough for soundproofing. But, in combination with additional soundproofing materials, you can achieve the desired effect.

What sound insulation for a suspended ceiling would be the best option for an apartment? It depends on the selected material, each of which has certain properties:

If you decide to install a suspended ceiling with sound insulation, then you need to know how to install such a structure:

• using special glue;
• mounting between sheathing profiles;
• fixation with dowels.

Which method to use depends on the selected material for installing the soundproof stretch ceiling. During installation, you need to take into account the location of communications, ventilation holes and the structure of the apartment where the work is being carried out.

When installing a tension covering with a sound-insulating effect, pay attention to the lighting. Don’t forget to remove the hook on which the chandelier will be attached in the future.

Preparatory work for sound insulation

Any repair work requires preparation. Before installing ceiling soundproofing, it is necessary to prepare the ceiling covering for work.

Carefully check the base plate for defects. Eliminate unevenness, cracks, and holes. Cracks small size putty, wide cracks can be filled with polyurethane foam. The surface must be perfectly smooth. If cracks are repaired, be sure to smooth the seams.

The next stage of preparation will be to clean the floor from dust. If necessary, use a primer to better adhere the layers to each other.

Soundproofing methods

Soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment can be done in two ways:

• frame . The most common option. The frame is made using metal profile or wooden beam. Markings are applied around the perimeter of the ceiling covering. Profiles located in parallel must have an interval of 60 cm. The outermost profile from the wall is 10 cm. Holes are drilled for the sheathing, then the insulation is laid;
• frameless Instead of making structures, special adhesives are used. Some materials are available with a self-adhesive coating. The adhesive side must be pressed firmly against the ceiling and wait for the time specified by the manufacturer. This method is more convenient and does not require additional investments.

There is another version of the frameless method of sound protection. Special mushroom dowels are used. You will need to mark the surface to be mounted. The dowels are fixed in the center and at the corners of the floor slabs.

See how to soundproof a floor in an apartment with your own hands in the video below. High-quality work eliminates any defects (cracks, gaps).

We will protect your apartment from impact noise

To install soundproofing of the ceiling from impact noise, you will need to install an acoustic ceiling covering. Special perforated fabrics with no seams are used.

The work begins with installation rack design with hangers. Next, you will need special soundproofing boards for the ceiling, which are laid in free cells. The plates have a mineral base or are made of fiberglass.

This method of absorbing noise effects is safe, moisture-resistant, and has a high level of sound absorption.

To eliminate noise, you can install a suspended ceiling made of plasterboard:

• the membrane is attached with a special adhesive;
• the frame is mounted using profiles and a bracket;
• insulating material is laid;
• plasterboard sheets are fixed.

If the apartment has low ceilings, then the following method is suitable:

• a suspended ceiling covering is installed, the essence of which is the use of bars with profiles;
• fasteners are fixed directly to the ceiling.

Can be used cork materials for soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment with your own hands to protect yourself from impact noise. Cork is a natural product with a porous structure. Due to its structure, cork does an excellent job of soundproofing an apartment.

Laying the slabs

Special slabs or soundproofing panels for mineral-based ceilings will become good option to protect against extraneous sounds. This material has an almost 100% noise-absorbing effect.

Installation is simple:

1. the frame structure is attached to the ceiling covering;
2. panels are laid inside the frame;
3. the design is sewn up plasterboard sheets.

The surface equipped in this way can be painted, wallpapered or plastered.

The disadvantages of such insulation include the thickness of the structure (more than 17 cm). Therefore, the height of the ceilings is reduced. If the ceiling covering in the apartment is low, then it is better to abandon this method. At optimal height apartment ceilings, the insulation copes with the task remarkably well.

Sound-absorbing materials for the ceiling should be selected taking into account the parameters of the apartment and the thickness of the insulation itself.

When choosing insulation against noise effects, look for thinner materials that do not use the height of the ceiling covering.

Noise absorption in apartments with high ceilings

Regardless of what type of house you live in, noise effects are present everywhere. These are modern high-rise buildings, and solid Stalin buildings with high ceilings. How to soundproof a Stalin ceiling to feel comfortable?

It used to be believed that Stalin-era houses had such thick walls and high ceilings that there was absolute silence in the apartments. But it is not so. Sound penetrates through kitchen premises apartments, ventilation openings, so sound-absorbing panels for the ceiling will not be superfluous even in such houses.

During the construction of Stalinist houses, a complex noise absorption system, not completely studied to date, was used. Therefore, for complete peace of mind, you can independently install the ceiling covering and walls with insulating materials that absorb extraneous sounds.

Alternatively, try the following insulation installation method:

• basalt cardboard is laid as the first layer;
• then any heat and sound insulating material.

The final step is laying plasterboard sheets.

Soundproofing systems

Noise is divided into two types:

• airy, which interferes and worsens the mood. Sources - any street sounds, coughing and laughter behind the wall, a child crying or a dog barking;
• percussion Most residents of multi-storey buildings have encountered this option. Something fell at the neighbors' house and unexpected shocks were heard. There is a calmer reaction to such sounds.

As an insulating material against extraneous sounds, try sheets of Knauf gypsum fiber structure and the sound insulation of the ceiling will be ideal. With the use of such sound insulation, a comfortable silence will come to the apartment.

The operating principle of better sound insulation of the walls and ceiling of a room is as follows:

1. gypsum fiber sheet is made by pressing gypsum and fluffed, fibrous waste paper;
2. The evenly distributed fibrous structure has a high density, due to which it has the ability to reduce the level of impact noise and serves as excellent sound insulation from other extraneous sounds.

Knauf materials can be used in combination with wooden elements, because the sheets are completely fireproof. The sheets are treated with a special protective impregnation that prevents fire.

During the installation of ceiling or wall frames to eliminate impact noise, metal guides can become a source of vibration. Therefore, it is necessary to use a special sealing tape of the Knauf system.

We use foam rubber

Foam rubber mats are the simplest insulating material against extraneous noise. And no additional effort is required during installation. Foam rubber can be attached using a special adhesive spray, heated silicone, double sided tape or “liquid nails”.

If you plan to cover the insulation with plasterboard sheets, then you need to install frame sheathing. You need to do the following:

• the surface for the foam rubber must be very dry and clean;
• foam mats are glued to the surface with one of the selected adhesives;
• make sure that the foam rubber is securely fixed to the surface;
• the adhesive is applied pointwise or over the entire area;
• after applying the adhesive, it is necessary to press the foam rubber well and hold for several minutes;
• then the next checkmate is applied. Filled with foam insulator until the frame is completely filled;
• The sheathing parts are attached on top of the foam rubber.

If necessary, installation of wires for lighting devices is carried out.

Plasterboard sheets act as an additional layer that protects against noise. You can immediately glue the foam rubber to the ceiling, and then mount the ceiling frame.

Soundproofing the ceiling in an apartment with your own hands is not difficult. The main thing is to choose suitable insulation and perform high-quality installation.

A stretch ceiling covering allows you to use any insulating agent you like to protect your apartment from extraneous sounds. The most effective solution is considered suspended structures, thanks to which the sound signal goes into a soft texture.

Optimal insulating material For apartments, mineral wool is considered to be used. The advantages include non-flammability, complete noise absorption, and non-rotting.

Basalt slabs with an acoustic effect are made on a mineral basis. Insulation is used by professionals and for independent work.

For example, Schumanet slabs are coated with a special fiberglass composition that prevents small fibers from falling out. The product does not shrink during use. The only drawback is that it is required additional protection from moisture.

If you have a question about how to soundproof the ceiling in an apartment to get a greater effect, try another method. It consists of installing an acoustic membrane, which has the following advantages:

• membranes are safe to use, environmentally friendly product;
• flexible, elastic;
• eliminates noise of a wide range;
• can be used in combination with mineral wool slabs.

The membrane is installed in several layers (one layer is possible). The canvas is heavy, so preliminary installation of a wooden frame is necessary to support it.

See what materials are available for soundproofing ceilings in an apartment in the video below. Regardless of the choice of insulation, it is necessary to first prepare the ceiling covering for work.

From the listed methods of dealing with extraneous sounds in a living room, you can choose any option that suits you. By laying soundproofing materials on the ceiling surface, you can completely get rid of extraneous noise from the upper floors and reduce overall noise effects.