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SOUNDPROOFING A CEILING

Noise Control Solutions
for Ceilings

Do you have noisy neighbors? Are you bothered by the sound of footsteps overhead? Can you hear music and conversation coming through your ceiling from the rooms above? This is a frequent problem in condos and apartments. When you step into your own living space, you don’t want to be invaded by the sounds of those living around you. American Micro Industries has developed soundproofing materials to meet the specific needs of condo and home owners. Let us show you how to have the privacy, peace and quiet you want and deserve.

Problem – Airborne Noise

Are you bothered primarily by airborne noise (noise traveling through the air)? This includes sounds made by TVs, stereos, voices or dogs barking. These sounds can be quite loud, especially if the object making the noise is close to your ceiling.

Whether you have a drywall or suspended ceiling (see installation instructions below), there are several products that will substantially reduce the amount of noise coming through from the room above. The resulting change will be just what you want, just what you need. Your home will be a quiet, peaceful refuge from the noise of the world outside.

The Solution To Your Airborne Noise Problem

If you are experiencing large amounts of airborne noise (voices, music) coming through your ceiling, a mass-loaded vinyl barrier is the solution to your problem. This material has been "fortified" with a heavy substance so that it absorbs sound waves rather than allowing them to pass through. Let’s look at two mass-loaded vinyl barrier products to find out which one will solve your problem.

QUIET BARRIER ™ – is an effective way to soundproof a ceiling to block airborne noise. It will effectively block 85% to 90% of the mid and low frequency sound such as voices and heavy bass. This dense material is, in fact, 6dB more effective than a sheet of lead at blocking sound. QUIET BARRIER ™ can be installed on an existing ceiling but because the surface is black vinyl, an additional covering such as drywall, paneling, or a suspended ceiling will be required for aesthetic purposes. This product weighs 2 lbs. per sq. ft. and comes in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets with or without a peel-and-stick backing and in 4 1/2 ft. x 20 ft. rolls.

Features and Benefits of QUIET BARRIER ™

• Material: Mass-loaded vinyl barrier
• Appearance: Smooth finish, charcoal black
• Characteristics: Dense, limp-mass vinyl, 1/4 inch thick, weight 2 lb. per sq.ft.
• Applications: To be used as an integral part of a ceiling system
• Reduces airborne noise transmission through ceilings
• Sound Absorption: Effectively blocks 85% – 90% of airborne sound coming through the ceiling
• Especially effective at blocking sounds in lower ranges such as voices and heavy bass
• Comes in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets with or without a peel-and-stick backing
• Comes in rolls 4 1/2 ft. x 20 ft. long
• Flammability: UL94V0 - On a vertical specimen the barrier stops burning within 10 seconds; no drips allowed
• Cuts easily with heavy duty snips

ECONO BARRIER ™ – This 1/8 inch thick material is a lighter-weight (1 lb. per sq. ft.) mass-loaded vinyl barrier product. It is also more effective than a sheet of lead at blocking sound and will lower the transmission of sound between two spaces. It is effective at blocking a wide range of sounds, especially those in the lower ranges, but if loud noise is a problem, this product may not be sufficient. In that case, consider the heavier QUIET BARRIER ™ material. ECONO BARRIER ™ comes in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets with or without the peel-and-stick backing, and rolls 4 1/2 ft. x 20 ft., 30 ft. and 60 ft. long.

Features and Benefits of ECONO BARRIER ™

• Material: Mass-loaded vinyl barrier
• Appearance: Smooth finish, charcoal black
• Characteristics: Dense, limp-mass vinyl, 1/8 inch thick, weight 1 lb. per sq.ft.
• Applications: To be used as an integral part of a ceiling system
• Reduces airborne noise transmission through ceiling
• Sound Absorption: Effectively blocks 65% to 70% of airborne sound coming through the ceiling; normal conversation and mid frequency sounds
• Comes in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets with or without a peel-and-stick backing
• Comes in rolls 4 1/2 ft. x 20 ft., and 30 ft. long
• Flammability: UL94V0 Flame Rated – On a vertical specimen the barrier product stops burning within 10 seconds; no drips allowed
• Cuts easily with heavy duty snips

Drywall Ceiling:

QUIET BARRIER ™ or ECONO BARRIER ™ Installation Instructions

Because both barrier products have a black vinyl surface, a covering is needed for aesthetic purposes. This is accomplished in one step by adhering the vinyl barrier to sheets of drywall prior to installation.

• First, apply QUIET BARRIER ™ or ECONO BARRIER ™ to 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets of drywall using our recommended adhesive.
  CLICK HERE to see step-by-step instructions.
• On the existing ceiling apply 3 inch Barrier Tape where the new drywall seams will occur. This will block any sound transfer from the original ceiling through to the new one.
• Then, following standard construction procedures, attach the new drywall to the existing ceiling with drywall screws.
• Do not butt the drywall tightly against the walls. Instead, leave a 1/4 inch seam (crack) around the perimeter of the room to prevent transfer of sound from the ceiling down through the walls.
• Caulk the perimeter seam and all seams between the pieces of ceiling drywall using our Acoustical Sealant.
• Let dry for 24 hours.
• Then use standard drywall tape and joint compound to finish the ceiling prior to painting.

Suspended Ceiling:

QUIET BARRIER ™ or ECONO BARRIER ™ Installation Instructions

• First, completely remove the existing suspended ceiling including the grid system.
• Next, attach the QUIET BARRIER ™ or ECONO BARRIER ™ to the ceiling joists using roofing nails with plastic disc washers. Using nails with small heads or drywall screws will cause the vinyl barrier to tear.
• For ease of handling due to weight, the vinyl barrier may be cut into sections.
• Cover all seams using the 3 inch Barrier Tape with peel-and-stick backing and use Acoustical Sealant to caulk all cracks, especially around the perimeter of the room where the ceiling and walls meet.
• Remember that allowing 3% of the area to remain uncovered can result in 50% of the noise coming through.
• If the vinyl barrier sags, consider nailing furring strips across the ceiling at right angles to the floor joists for additional support.
• Reinstall the suspended ceiling grid and tiles.

• Note: Some other web sites recommend cutting the barrier product into pieces and laying them on top of the ceiling tiles. We do not recommend this approach for several reasons.