Victorian Conversion - Soundproofing Options

[bigalxyz]

I own a flat in a Victorian conversion in London (2 big old houses turned into 11 flats). The big downside of living here is the noise transmission through the building. I can hear almost everything my neighbour upstairs does, and it's driving me nuts at the moment. It's both high frequency noise (eg I can hear her talking on the phone) and low frequency noise (eg boom boom boom when she's walking around the place).

She's not doing anything wrong. She hasn't installed a bowling alley, she's not having parties late at night, etc. It's just normal everyday stuff.

Occasionally I've heard noises from TWO floors up (young kids jumping around).

Wooden subfloor in the upstairs flat. My ceiling below is 2 thicknesses of plasterboard. In between is empty space with roof joists etc.

What might be my best bet for improving the soundproofing - eg. can I put some insulation stuff in the ceiling gap throughout my flat? If so, what's the best stuff to use? Is there any way to do this without ripping out all my ceilings? What might it cost (ballpark)? Any fire safety implications?

If there was some way I could make a material difference to the problem without spending say five figures, I'd be quite tempted.

Thank you.

 

[ree]

OP,
Even as an experienced building contractor, my limited experience of attempting to soundproof converted flats found it to be impossible unless the flat was turned into recording studio level & cost of sound proofing.

Perhaps "Similar threads" below or other posters have more knowledge of your dilemma.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You might gain some advantage by adding an additional ceiling beneath the existing, assuming there is adequate height already and the existing ceiling doesn't have some crazy ornate features like cornices or a ceiling rose etc. But soundproofing additions are very subjective, one persons big improvement is another persons complete waste of money. Practicalities aside I doubt you'd achieve much by adding some insulation in the void. No fire risks assuming the insulation is mineral wool and the ceiling is properly reinstated.

Offer to supply and fit your upstairs neighbour with new carpets, probably better than anything else.

 

[JohnD]

Hard floors are unsuitable. Does the lease permit them? It shouldn't

The original ceilings would have been thick L&P with lime plaster.

I formerly had a house where some of these ceilings were damaged, taken down, and reinstated by a specialist.

Due to their thickness and weight, the noise reduction is much greater than even a skimmed double plasterboard.

You can reduce airborne noise by stuffing dense mineral wool between the joists... but that would mean taking up the floor or pulling down the ceiling, it should have been done during conversion.

A secondary ceiling is probably your second best option.

Carpets for the neighbour are the best.