Hello all,
We moved into our first floor flat Sep 2008 and noticed the master bedroom's carpet was raised by around an inch and horrid - so we binned it .
After removing the carpet and underlay we noticed that there was plywood with what looks like plasterboard underneath.
This was put down by the previous owner to improve sound insulation. I understand from the owners below that there were problems with sound insulation and the downstairs flat put more plasterboard on their ceiling.
In our bedroom the boards were taken up and insulation put underneath, then plasterboard and then plywood put on top of them. This extra material has raised the floor by around and inch, which isn't a problem in itself expect that its different to the rest of the flat.
My question is, is it likely that the plasterboard and plywood would make much difference to the sound insulation? If not we would like to remove these layers and put carpet down. If it is likely to help we may consider doing the rest of the flat in this manner.
Unfortunately I have been unable to find out if thermal insulation was used or proper acoustic insulation. From the quality of other work he had commissioned I wouldn't be surprised of the cheapest materials had been used.
At the moment we can still hear the occasional noise from below, their kitchen is below the bedroom and with their tile floor we can hear chairs been scrapped etc. There is also a chimney breast in our room which may be transferring noise?
My plumber recommend this for sound insulation http://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/products/glass_mineral_wool_rolls/acoustic_rolls/acoustic_roll.aspx which I imagine would be far better than the stuff normally used in lofts.
Sorry for such a long post but I have no idea how to proceed, my question is basically can I rip up the stuff on top of the boards and fit carpet or is it likely to be helping with sound insulation? Another option would be to replace the hopefully normal insulation with the stuff I mentioned above.
Hope someone can point me in the right direction.
Thanks in advance,
Ian
We moved into our first floor flat Sep 2008 and noticed the master bedroom's carpet was raised by around an inch and horrid - so we binned it .
After removing the carpet and underlay we noticed that there was plywood with what looks like plasterboard underneath.
This was put down by the previous owner to improve sound insulation. I understand from the owners below that there were problems with sound insulation and the downstairs flat put more plasterboard on their ceiling.
In our bedroom the boards were taken up and insulation put underneath, then plasterboard and then plywood put on top of them. This extra material has raised the floor by around and inch, which isn't a problem in itself expect that its different to the rest of the flat.
My question is, is it likely that the plasterboard and plywood would make much difference to the sound insulation? If not we would like to remove these layers and put carpet down. If it is likely to help we may consider doing the rest of the flat in this manner.
Unfortunately I have been unable to find out if thermal insulation was used or proper acoustic insulation. From the quality of other work he had commissioned I wouldn't be surprised of the cheapest materials had been used.
At the moment we can still hear the occasional noise from below, their kitchen is below the bedroom and with their tile floor we can hear chairs been scrapped etc. There is also a chimney breast in our room which may be transferring noise?
My plumber recommend this for sound insulation http://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/products/glass_mineral_wool_rolls/acoustic_rolls/acoustic_roll.aspx which I imagine would be far better than the stuff normally used in lofts.
Sorry for such a long post but I have no idea how to proceed, my question is basically can I rip up the stuff on top of the boards and fit carpet or is it likely to be helping with sound insulation? Another option would be to replace the hopefully normal insulation with the stuff I mentioned above.
Hope someone can point me in the right direction.
Thanks in advance,
Ian