soundproofing for urban people

Installing a soundproof ceiling  This video from Rockwool North America demonstrates some principles of soundproofing a room from upstairs noise. They're using Rockwool (Roxul) Safe 'N Sound batts -- a dense, fire-retardant product that insulates for sound much better than fiberglass, and is flame-resistant. I'll add two more suggestions here. 1) Before you add the batts, affix a layer of drywall with Green Glue (and a few screws) to the backside of the upstairs subfloor. This should add some mass and dampening to the footfalls from above. This means cutting a length of drywall to fit against the flooring, between each ceiling joist. 2) Use a dual-layer soundproof drywall, not just any drywall, for the ceiling itself. A single layer of drywall -- even though it's hung on the resilience channels -- will still not be as effective without further mass or dampening. Look into QuietRock  drywall. You can buy Rockwool (Roxul) insulation from Amazon , Lowe's,...

Listen to how Green Glue dampens noise Here's a newer video (very short) that demonstrates the audible difference between a hard material that wasn't dampened with Green Glue versus one that used Green Glue. It does reduce the sharp impact noise quite a bit. The Green Glue side sounds muted, while the non-Green Glue side rings like a chime. Think of how this could make a difference with walls, floors, and ceilings in your home.

Matt Risinger shows how Green Glue, cellulose insulation, and double drywall can make a quieter home in this YouTube video.

If you're having noise problems in your home or business, you can measure the decibel level with inexpensive apps on your iPhone or buy a decibel-reading device. I downloaded a free app from the App Store called "Decibels" and purchased an inexpensive one - with more features -- called "SPL Meter," but there's many to choose from (just search for "spl meter"). Basically these apps help you measure the decibel volume in your home when it's quiet, and again in different noise situations -- your neighbor's TV or stereo, the sound of cars and trucks outside your windows, the sound of barking dogs, crying babies, etc. [update, Dec 2013: see this review of 30 decibel-reader apps.] All rooms have a decibel level, even when you think you're sitting in silence. So let's say the dB level in your home is 40 when it's quiet, but increases to 60 when your adjacent neighbors watch TV on their home theatre system. What does this mean w...

I found a new video for a product that seems to only be available in the UK thus far. It's called "QuietFloor Plus," and it combines a layer of foam with a layer of mass-loaded vinyl on either side -- like a sandwich. I can imagine it would indeed by effective under a carpet, if you can get your neighbor to agree to use carpets in the first place. I'd love to hear real-world results about this underlayment. Here's the webpage , for all you UK readers.

I always get excited when I see new YouTube videos about installation practices. If you're interested in going the route of wall clips, here's a new video about using Green Glue clips before installing new drywall. (They recommend, of course, adding a second layer of drywall with Green Glue afterwards). You'll forfeit an additional 1.5 inches of room depth on each side if you use this method. It would be helpful if they supplied before and after specs for room acoustics!

I notice that someone was searching for info on Wi-Fi signals and QuietRock. My Wi-Fi router is in a room and all four walls are covered with QuietRock. I've had no problems. I use the wireless signal in other rooms and stream music from the QuietRock room to stereo speakers in another room. If anyone finds a data sheet on this, please let me know, and I'll link to it here. Meanwhile, since I can't find any videos to illustrate Wi-Fi and soundproof drywall, here's a quick video from Geek Slant on installing double-drywall with Green Glue to block a neighbor's TV noise.