How Much Noise Reduction Can I Expect?

[RobDude]

Hi all,

I'm renting an apartment in a very old European building.  It's great; except for the noise.  I can hear everything my upstairs neighbours do - but the loudest things are the very heavy doors being closed.

I'd rather not move, and I plan on staying in this city for another three years (so I'm willing to invest some time and money on a solution)

I've spoken with my landlord in very vague terms and he has given me the 'go ahead' to do 'anything' I want to the place; so long as I
1.)  Don't damage anything
2.)  Clean it up when I leave

I'm either going to move (and hope the next place is quieter), or, construct a large 'room within a room' solution.  I've ordered a sound meter so I'll be able to tell you how loud in decibels the door slamming is; but I haven't been able to find a lot of information online about how effective soundproofing solutions are.  Lots of places talk about techniques and how to do it - but I want to know if it's worth the time and money if I'm still going to wake up at 3am every time someone else in the building comes home.

My plan right now is to use a staggered studs on the walls and ceiling; 5'8ths inch thick drywall on the outside and 1/2" thick drywall on the inside.  If that's not enough, I was going to glue another 1/2" of drywall using something like the 'Green Glue' sound stuff I've seen on this site.  I'll get a heavy/fairly expensive door; but I'll have room to build a small hallway and add a second door if I need to.  Also - I'm unclear as to whether or not I should use hanging clips if I'm already using the staggered stud approach - but if it helps; I can do that as well.

I also have a few hundred dollars worth of Acoustic tile.  I don't know how helpful that stuff will be, but I've already got it so I figured I'd throw it on the ceiling of the box (I'm thinking outside?  I really don't know if it will matter). 

I've priced out the materials and I think I can do most of this for ~800-1500 depending on how much stuff I need to do.  To me, that's well worth the cost - truthfully, I'm willing to spend more (but I'm limited on actual space, so I don't think I can build a room within a room within a room and still have enough space for a bed and my claustrophobic wife )  I'm open to suggestions/improvements - but assuming I go with a setup like I've described - *how quiet* should I expect my room to be?  Would it be 'soundproof'?  Or would I still hear a loud door closing, only less loud?

Thanks in advance.  If it helps, I'll get the decibel levels of the door slams once my meter shows up.

[Randy S]

Im not sure if going this route is the most cost effective way.. example..to reduce the slamming of doors a pvc closed cell tape can be put on the door stop to not only seal the door but to absorb the impact of the door hitting the stop....
So why dont you give me a call direct and we can discuss the best cost effective methods to reduce your noise issues.

Randy S.

760-752-3030 ext 104

[johnbergstromslc]

Wow, usually the older buildings are better soundwise - a lot more massive.

Well, a room-in-a-room solution will work pretty well, if you 'float' it.  Use resilient pads/mats under the walls and don't attach things ridgidly.  You will also have to make provision for a vibration-break for the floor as well.  (This website sells a good MLV + foam product you can use for that.)

You can expect a pretty good reduction in the structure-borne 'thump' of closing doors, but you will have the issues of ventilation and light to deal with.  Any penetrations/gaps in the floating construction will compromise what you are trying to accomplish.