Re: Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Bryan Bowen (bryanbryanbowenarchitects.com) | |
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:29:27 -0800 (PST) |
Hi - thought I'd add a little technical info. There are two types of sound transmission between units like these: impact transmitted sound and airborne sound. Usually airborne sound (voices) is less of a problem. I know at Wild Sage we can't hear a chop-saw from unit to unit. To fix airborne sound requires different strategies from impact sound transmission. Our only airborne sound issues were due to window being open and having homes in close proximity. Impact sound is the more common issue (footsteps, dragging furniture, bass notes in music, etc as Sharon said). To rectify this you have two choices: absorb the impact or prevent it from transmitting. Absorption: Soft surfaces like carpet over high density padding will make the most impact. User behavior is also a big one. Isolation: If you want a hard surface, you can float it over a soft substrate: cork planks over foam (not homosote) for example. This approach won't work for tile, fyi. Direct applied floor materials like marmoleum also help, but aren't as effective. You can also disconnect layers throughout the floor-ceiling system. In a rehab scenario, you can add a layer of drywall to the ceiling for some improvement, or add a layer of resilient channels (google it to see what they look like) and then a layer of dryall. It's a hassle, but there's an improvement. Adding ceiling insulation will also help to some extent. There's a ton of good information on the web. Just look at manufacturers sites. Acoustimat, AccuQuiet, Maxxon... The other thing we do in some commercial projects is to use sound masking. Fountains or low music help prevent you from being distracted by noise. If you ever have a technical question about a fix for something like this, feel free to email me directly. b bryan bowen architects, p.c. 1510 ZAMIA AVENUE #103 - BOULDER, CO 80304 - (303)443-3629 www.bryanbowenarchitects.com -----Original Message----- From: cohousing-l-bounces+bryan=bryanbowenarchitects.com [at] cohousing.org [mailto:cohousing-l-bounces+bryan=bryanbowenarchitects.com [at] cohousing.org] On Behalf Of Sharon Villines Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 9:33 AM To: Cohousing-L Subject: Re: [C-L]_ Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing On 25 Feb 2012, at 11:06 AM, rhmorrison [at] aol.com wrote: > Sharon V wrote recently that there is a similar issue with soundproofing between their stacked units (at Takoma Village). I'll add one thing. Most of the sounds we are aware of dampening are dampened by soft surfaces. But in my limited study of acoustics I learned that hard surfaces transmit sound and that it is the beams between the stacked units that need attention too. If I put insulation between my ceiling and the floor above, some noises would be dampened but other noises would not. What helped a lot was people purchasing furniture, which was done over the year or two years after move-in. The noise at first was incredible. Rugs help because sound is most easily stopped at the source. The heavy furniture helped stop the vibrations moving through the beams. The solution I found would have meant tearing out the ceiling and putting what I can only describe as braces between the beams. It's a manufactured system - not just installed by a carpenter - but I've forgotten the name. The more you can do before you move-in the happier everyone will be. The average construction grade, and we supposedly had better than average, means: 1. Heavy walkers will be heard every time they walk and you will know when they have had a bad day. 2. Running children, even babies, will sound like heavy walkers running fast. 3. Two running children will be like a percussion orchestra. 4. Dropped cans, dishes, containers of silverware in the kitchen will be sharp whaps. 5. Active lovemaking in the middle of the night will embarrass someone. 6. Sliding closet doors will be like chalk on a blackboard. 7. If you like to fight in the bathroom, don't. The hard surfaces, like porcelain, reflect more sound. 8. Don't lift weights or run laps at home. This sounds horrible which it isn't. No one does all these things at the same time nor is everyone home to hear them at the same time. But I do live in fear that a child will move in upstairs and that my downstairs neighbor suffers when children visit me, as they often do. Sharon ---- Sharon Villines Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC http://www.takomavillage.org _________________________________________________________________ Cohousing-L mailing list -- Unsubscribe, archives and other info at: http://www.cohousing.org/cohousing-L/
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Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing rhmorrison, February 25 2012
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Re: Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing Sharon Villines, February 25 2012
- Re: Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing Bryan Bowen, February 25 2012
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Re: Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing Sharon Villines, February 25 2012
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Re: Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing S. Kashdan, February 25 2012
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Re: Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing Bryan Bowen, February 25 2012
- Re: Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing R Philip Dowds, February 25 2012
- Re: Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing Matt Lawrence, February 25 2012
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Re: Soundproofing between stacked units in cohousing Bryan Bowen, February 25 2012
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