Joist sizes

brockwell · 12 Feb 2016

I need to sound proof my ceiling, its not that my neighbours are full on ravers its just Victorian conversions where fine when everyone had carpets, not so good now wooden floors are king !

I have looked into various systems but seem to be going round in circles. I did settle on a " genie clip " set up but have been told by a couple of acoustic engineers that the existing plaster & lath ceiling should come down first, don't really want to do this.

Getting to the point I would like to put up an independent ceiling but do not have a lot of room due to the windows. The max joist size I could have is 4" x 2 " spanning 3.6m x 3.8m. I would do it at 40mm centres and would want two layers of acoustic board. Can anyone tell me /advise if this will take the weight \ load.

Much appreciation and thanks to all the knowledgeable folk out there

Oh and happy Friday to all

Thanks
Guy

Will.. · 12 Feb 2016

Why does the ceiling have to be dropped? As long as you're fixing to the joists not the laths then I don't see a problem.
If you're struggling for space a steel stud ceiling would be far better than timber.

chappers · 12 Feb 2016

Indeed or better still resilient bars

theprinceofdarkness · 12 Feb 2016

Are your neighbours upstairs? If sound is coming through the ceiling one wonders what the interfloor fire protection is. Any big holes above light fittings?
Frank

brockwell · 12 Feb 2016

Will.. said:

Why does the ceiling have to be dropped? As long as you're fixing to the joists not the laths then I don't see a problem.
If you're struggling for space a steel stud ceiling would be far better than timber.

Click to expand...

Will Thanks for the reply, I want to put the joists on hangers and not have any contact with the ceiling as I`ve been lead to believe separation is the best way forward in reducing sound

chappers said:
Indeed or better still resilient bars

Chappers thanks this is one system am looking at.

theprinceofdarkness said:
Are your neighbours upstairs? If sound is coming through the ceiling one wonders what the interfloor fire protection is. Any big holes above light fittings?
Frank

Thank Frank its an 80`s Victorian conversion so fire protection will be a sheet of pink board if I`m lucky, don't think regs required it back then., no big holes .

anyone any ideas on the joist size Q.

many thanks

tony1851 · 12 Feb 2016

If the joists are spanning 3.6m, I think 2x4s would do it.

chappers · 13 Feb 2016

To be honest with resilient bars you should really be thinking about taking down the existing ceiling though.

tony1851 · 13 Feb 2016

Resilient bars are OK to a point, but one thing to be considered is whether or not the existing floor joists would be able to support the extra weight of two layers of soundblock, without excessive deflection.

brockwell · 13 Feb 2016

tony1851 said:
If the joists are spanning 3.6m, I think 2x4s would do it.

Thanks Tony for replying I am pretty sure myself that 4x2 would be enough, as i sleep under the ceiling just wanted to get a sense of what others thought !
Interesting you mention the ceiling joists deflecting under load as none of the companies i have spoken to have, obviously they are trying to flog me what i might need but probably don`t !

Thanks again Chappers dont fancy taking it down at this stage

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Joist sizes

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