Lowered Ceiling

[seasickstevie]

I need to install a lowered ceiling in a 5m square room, to cut down on noise levels from upstairs.

What timbers should I use to span the room? Given that I can't obviously suspend from the upstairs joists as that would simply transfer the noise to the new ceiling.
And also considering a fairly heavy load with minimum 12.5mm plasterboard and at least 100mm of sound deadening material.

Any suggestions welcome

 

[noseall]

a load-bearing floor at this span would require at least 9" x 2" joists.

i'm sure something like 150 x 50mm timbers would be adequate to deal with a plasterboard ceiling and associated insulation.

it may be wise to double board the ceiling, making sure you lap any joins.

maybe you could 'borrow' some support from the floor above with tensile cables?

 

[seasickstevie]

Thanks for that noseall. Although I would suspect that 'borrowing' support like you suggest, would be bound to transfer vibration down to the ceiling.

If there's enough space between new & original ceilings, I suppose I could fix an anchor to the wall just below the original ceiling at various points, and use tensile cable with tensioners diagonally to several joists about a 1/3 way across to pull up to give support. That might work.

 

[regsmyth]

SNM, if I understand what youre suggesting, I'd disagree. The useful vertical supporting capacity of cables, fixed to the perimeter wall, will be virtually nil unless under enormous tension, and at an incline of min 12 degrees. When you come to hang your space pod or gym equipment or whatever, the cable would most likely rip out of the wall . I think you should just use bigger joists.