Floor insulation & soundproofing (First floor) -

[JonR1973]

Hello

Just wondering about floor insulation/soundproofing. I live in an old property on 1st floor and am wondering what options i have for floor insulation - my main reason for this is for noise from below.

I will need to lift up floorboards to get the insulation in but am wondering what types are available. I was hoping there is a like recycled paper stuff that could be sprayed in e so i dont have to lift up each floorboard?

Does there need to be a gap to allow an air flow and to avoid rot happening? Also im assuing I would need to aviod light fittings from the premises below?

Any advise on this would be very much appreciated.

 

[xerxes]

Assuming you have the freehold, or permission to do the work, you will need to lift all the boards and fit high-density acoustic insulation, which doesn't come cheap; you need also to make sure that any gaps are sealed, otherwise sound will be transmitted through the air. (Fitting insulation shouldn't interfere with the ventilation, as the void will be much deeper than the thickness of the insulation.)

If there are lighting cables, the electrical load carried by these does not constitute a problem in connection with the insulation. However, heavier cables supplying a cooker or a shower, for example, need special consideration.

In most cases, light fittings will be surface-mounted on the ceiling below. If the floor below uses recessed downlighters these should have intumescent hoods fitted; this should be done anyway, regardless of what you decide to do about insulation.

Be aware that whatever you do won't provide a complete cure. In any case, sound can be transmitted by vibration through the structure of the building, which is much harder to deal with.