What is the best way of creating a soundproofing solution in a flat?

SneakySpectator

Being in a flat I hear pretty much every knock and bang from the neighbour upstairs as well as my neighbours on either side who sometimes play music or have their tv up a bit loud. It's not crazy loud but it's loud enough for me to want to try and find a solution. 

I found a post from a user on another forum who said this 

"What I did in my previous property was the following:
built studs with 100mm wool insulation
installed resilient bars to create a 20mm air gap > this is essential!
Installed 12.5mm accosting plasterboard
Installed tecsound 50 membrane
Install 12.5mm accosting plasterboard

After this, I could barely hear when the neighbour had their speakers on full."

Obviously I'd lose a bit of space in my rooms but if it helps reduce the noise like it did for this person I think it's worth it. I've looked at some websites that sell "soundproofing" plasterboard type stuff but I think the key to soundproofing is creating an airgap, like this user mentions.

grumpy_codger

IMO, what is really important (for the walls), is to to fix the studs to the floor and the ceiling joists, not to the walls. And this is a good opportunity to created a small gap between the studs (and the insulation) and the wall.

For insulation use special sound insulation mineral wall slabs.

I don't believe that "soundproofing" plasterboard can make any significant difference either, but maybe two layers of it with some 'membrane' between will.

I think the same can be done with ceiling, but not sure because of bigger spans.

FreeBear

grumpy_codger said: I don't believe that "soundproofing" plasterboard can make any significant difference either, but maybe two layers of it with some 'membrane' between will.

I replaced a lath & plaster ceiling (thick & very heavy) with plasterboard - The increase in noise levels from the rooms above was noticeable.

The increase in mass from using an acoustic plasterboard will reduce some of the noise. Insulating against noise is a complex subject where multiple materials are used and attention to detail is crucial.

outtatune

Play ambient/chillout music at volume that's low so it's not audible outside your flat but just loud enough that your brain focuses on that and moves your attention away from the unwanted sounds.

SneakySpectator

outtatune said:

Play ambient/chillout music at volume that's low so it's not audible outside your flat but just loud enough that your brain focuses on that and moves your attention away from the unwanted sounds.

Would that actually work though? I do listen to static white noise on youtube when I'm sleeping but to have it on constantly throughout the day I dunno maybe I wouldn't notice it after a while but I think it would irritate me after a while.

outtatune

SneakySpectator said:

outtatune said:

Play ambient/chillout music at volume that's low so it's not audible outside your flat but just loud enough that your brain focuses on that and moves your attention away from the unwanted sounds.

Would that actually work though? I do listen to static white noise on youtube when I'm sleeping but to have it on constantly throughout the day I dunno maybe I wouldn't notice it after a while but I think it would irritate me after a while.

Try it and see.

The thing about the human brain is that it wants to keep itself busy, so even if you make the sounds coming from next door far far quieter it'll focus in on those anyway, unless there is something else closer by to grab its attention.

Murmansk

I fear you could spend a great deal of money and go to a great deal of effort and still be able to hear stuff you don't want to hear.