Semi D Soundproofing

I live in a thirty yr=ear old Semi D and we have a slight problem with noise. We reallly like the house and the neighbors are fine but sometimes we can hear music and also talking between the upstairs bedrooms. As I said the problem is minor but can be embarrassing when we have people staying over. I am sure that the noise travels both ways and that our music or chat is carried the other way.

Is there a reliable way to insulate for sound?

I have a semi d built around 1970 - typical Dublin area hollow block construction.

I was in exactly the same position - like the house, neighbours are not the problem but sometimes noise was an issue.

I am DIY capable and so I installed two different systems. First I used a system called ISOstrip T. For the 2nd room, I used Resilient bars.

Both systems involved mounting new plaster board (double layer with staggered joints) inside the exisiting wall so you loose about 70-80mm off your room size. The new plasterboard is mounted on special battens in each case which provide acoustic separation. The void created behind the plasterboard between the battens is filled with rock batts.

The Resilient bars were cheaper and seemed to be just as effective.

Note that I was extremely meticulous in the installation - I cut the ceiling boards and I insulated below the floorboards as well to ensure a good result. It has worked very well in my case but I think that this was down to the meticulous approach. I suspect that a contractor working on a price might not have the incentive to be meticulous enough to get the best result. Better to get someone you really trust to do the work.

The messiest part is getting the wall plastered afterwards and you may have to extend some sockets.

Hope this helps.

3CC

Hi 3CC / Urban,

In the same position too - can you let me know where you got the materials (Isostrip T battens and / or Resilient bars) for this.

Simple

From memory, I got the ISO strip from ENCON insulations (in Dublin) and I ordered the Resilient bars through my local builder's merchants (I used Arro Hardware)

Thanks 3CC,

I think ENCON are TIDL now based in Rosemount Business Park?

With regards the Resilient Bar - what am I looking for, what should I ask for? Is there a thickness or dimension that's best (so I don't look even more of an novice at the trade counter!)

Thanks , Simple

When I asked at the trade counter, they had never heard of it but they said they would look into it. I just explained what it is for and that it is a Gypsum product (IIRC?).

They then tracked it down and ordered it.

I think there is only one size.