Subject: Re: sound attenuation in ceilings From: Peter Lennox <peter(at)LENNOX01.FREESERVE.CO.UK> Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 23:12:19 -0000I presume you mean 1900, not 2000. This being the case, the ceilings may well be made of lath and plaster, which is actually better than plasterboard with respect to low frequency transmission (plasterboard acts like a drum) but may not be too well sealed so higher frequencies get through the gaps around edges etc. One solution is to plasterboard the ceilings over (well, under, actually) the lath-and-plaster, thus providing the best of both. sealing all transmission paths is another step. Filling the space between the joists/floor/ceiling with vermiculite is good, but time-consuming Basically all the physical means of blocking or absorbing sound transmission are time-consuming and expensive, though worthwhile for the peace of mind. Other variables include whether the neighbour has bare floorboards, and hard empty rooms - these have a huge impact on local sound levels, and in some extreme cases, bare floors are actually specifically mitigated against in the deeds of some multiple-occupancy conversions. The other route is masking... regards ppl ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin L. Baker" <klb(at)DMU.AC.UK> To: <AUDITORY(at)LISTS.MCGILL.CA> Sent: 18 February 2002 21:53 Subject: sound attenuation in ceilings > Dear all, > this isn't strictly a research based question, but if you don't mind... > > A friend of mine has bought an appartment in a large house in London - one of the many conversions of an old turn of century house. His appartment is on the ground floor and he can clearly hear his neighbours' footsteps and conversations from the floor above. > > Can anyone suggest how soundproofing/attenuation can be done simply and cost-effectively? or any web-sites of any use for further information? > > Best of all: UK companies specialising in appropriate solutions? > > Many thanks > > Kevin > -- > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Kevin Baker, Course Leader: BSc(Hons) Human Psychology > Senior Lecturer in Psychology > Division of Psychology > De Montfort University Phone: UK 0116 257 7761 (Direct Line) > Scraptoft Phone: UK 0116 257 7756 (Secretary) > Leicester FAX: UK 0116 257 7708 > LE7 9SU WWW: http://www.psy.dmu.ac.uk/kevin/ > England > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >