Insulating/sound proofing floor of Victorian House

[changement]

Hi All,

We've just bought an old Victorian house and are in the process of doing it up. We've lifted all of the original floorboards (took a long time - hoping to relay them) and now want to insulate/sound proof.

A few questions about putting the insulation in.

1) We've read that you want to have air circulating below the floor to prevent the build up of condensation. However strangely for a Victorian property, there aren't any air bricks at all. (Doesn't even look like they have been taken out and replaced, no obvious signs of removal). The gaps between joists are 7 inch (~180 mm) deep and 13 inch (330 mm) wide. Do we just want to fill that space completely with insulation? Or do we want to leave an air gap? If leaving an air gap, do we suspend the insulation with some netting or leave the gap just below the floor boards?

2) If we need air to circulate, should we drill holes or something between the joists?

3) Would you use a vapour membrane?

4) What type of insulation would you recommend that is both acoustic and thermally insulating?

5) How much use will it be insulating the first floor and the converted loft floor?

Here are a few pics of the front room:
https://postimg.org/image/o1b67f5on/
https://postimg.org/image/lmnw0qetj/

Thanks for all your help!
Marianne and Sam

 

[geraldthehamster]

Underneath the joists looks like the top side of a lath and plaster ceiling. Is this the first floor, or a ground floor over a cellar?

Cheers
Richard

 

[changement]

Hi Richard,

Its the ground floor on top of a converted basement/self contained flat - shortly to be damp proofed (membrane and sump pump).

Cheers,
Sam