Foot steps are dampened by only 1 thing: carpet pad. For example someone’s footsteps upstairs or when children upstairs are jumping in their rooms, etc. If you use an acoustic tile for the ceiling, you will add another 5-7 dB...but the cost will be much higher than the cork or the Roxul combined. Do not use canned lights in the basement ceiling, 3. Any air gaps can compromise the effectiveness of the drywalls. - The staggered stud is the A#1 first thing you should do to isolate noise going in either direction. Some of the best sound sharers are metal ducts/pipes. If you simply go ahead and do your best and wrap everything you can think of with acoustic pipe insulation, you will get rid of 90%. Soup CAN = metal. Foam panels come in different designs, so while soundproofing you can have fun decorating your ceiling. Here’s how to get it installed and check on its quality, Give your joints a break while you're standing at the stove, with these resilient and beautiful materials for kitchen floors, Learn how to create a safe and accessible bathroom without sacrificing style, Reputable, Industry-Leading Architecture & Design Firm in Seattle, Pet-Proofing Your Home: A Room-by-Room Guide, New This Week: Proof the Formal Dining Room Isn’t Dead, What to Ask Before Choosing a Hardwood Floor, Your Guide to a Smooth-Running Construction Project, Objects of Desire: Beautifully Individual Concrete Floors, How to Create a Realistic Design and Construction Timeline, 7 Kitchen Flooring Materials to Boost Your Cooking Comfort. The space on the main floor is about 840 sq ft. And no, we're not having dub-step parties. I've seen this time and again. . The basement needs a separate HVAC system. Just do your own research. Materials that vibrate easier (are less dense) work better. It has an STC of 32 to 37, and an IIC of 32. One reason I like the AVS forums is that there are lots of links for technical data and real unbiased test results in a variety of environments, it is one of the best starting points for sound control information that I have found. Resilient channels are basically metal rods that aim to minimize the contact area between the drywall and the ceiling. Decoupling and batten insulation will give you about as much isolation as you can expect. Chances are you will also be required to cover the hardwood with area rugs. Use Interlocking Floor Mats . I particularly like the discussion of cups and strings as it applies to residential acoustic principles and design solutions. Also, every additional decibel reduction requires a little more effort as the curve is not linear. Actual results from a real unbiased test on impact sound (note still not talking voice, television and stereo)... Increasing the thickness of a resilient material increases the compliance and decreases the frequency where the improvement in impact sound pressure level begins. 4 years later and for the money (about $3,500 for 1750 sq ft) we LOVE this floor. proprietary resilient suspension system link. I usually direct people to the avsforum soundproofing master thread it really has all the information you need about soundproofing and analysis of bang for your buck. Registered User . Nothing is as good as carpet for foot steps. All of them might not be feasible for you, just do your best according to the level of soundproofing that you desire. First, let's talk about what the ratings are and what they mean. Materials that vibrate easier (are less dense) work better. Find studies that have actually measured the results, fortunately the sound industry has commissioned a lot of them. And yes, the TYPE of noise intrusion (flanking transmission, etc) will create pockets of vulnerability - such as pipes and duct work and underneath doors. Are you talking about the reflected sound (the sound that bounces off your walls) when you walk through the room or are you talking about the transfer sound (someone walking on the upper floor and you hear every footstep downstairs). I am encouraged by your newfound respect for the asked question. And the door in the tenant's 'utility space' will also always be closed. I actually re-thought carpet and pad in the living room... UGH but with two dogs and our horses on the farm (and that life style in general) I think we'd regret the carpet pretty quickly. It allows 1/4" or even 1/2" cork underlay to be used. That is EQUAL to a REGULAR subfloor+ceiling! Since I am an accountant let me help the OP. It is focused on home theaters but the information is good for many situations. That's why it is additive. Remember playing "telephone" with soup cans and string? I'm also not sure we'd love the look of having carpet JUST in the living room. That's why it is additive, Yes but the OP notes, "We are not overly concerned about physical noise (walking) as there are no children or rambunctious pets (or people) living on the main floor. For soundproofing a floor, materials with good noise-reducing qualities would be required to achieve the desired sound insulation. I hope you are doing a separate heat/AC system in the basement or one of you is going to be uncomfortable living in the house. By the sounds of the OP, I don't think subwoofers are going to be the issue. Besides drywall, acoustic foam panels and plywood, there is another material that you can use to soundproof your ceiling.