Soundproofing a Bathroom

jbitt

hi all,

The only bathroom in my house is accessed from the larger of my two bedrooms as well as the hallway. The bathroom is 8x8 and because of the placement of the doors, my bathroom renovation will put the toilet right next to the adjoining bedroom wall. That wall is also right next to my bed.

For what I think are obvious reasons, I want to soundproof my bathroom. The whole thing will be gutted and so far I’ve read about Green Glue in a drywall sandwich or MLV (mass loaded vinyl).

I don't need the room so soundproofed that you can scream and no one will ever hear, but I'd rather not hear my significant other doing his bathroom things in the morning or whenever.

I'll also be replacing the old doors with new pocket doors. I wonder, without soundproof doors, will these regular, solid wood pocket doors negate the whole soundproofing job i'll be doing for the bathroom?


Does anyone have any experience with Green Glue or Mass Loaded Vinyl or both of these products? Or do you recommend something else? Thanks!

jerryh3

Check your local Lowe's. The ones around here have started to stock Quietrock 500. It should give you the sound isolation you need with a lot less work than the DD+GG. And, yes, the door will probably be the weak point. You may need to install vinyl sweeps to seal the gaps as much as you can.

Ted White

The door is the weak point as Jerry said.

Regarding the Quiet Rock, they are fine products. As far as which is better, look to what the total weight of the system will be as well as how damped. You'll find that a sheet of $6 standard 5/8" drywall is mass and even a 1/2 tube of damping material will do the trick.

If you've ever used caulk, you can apply damping material.

jerryh3

Agreed about the double 5/8" plus GG is usually a better solution, but in this case it may interfere with the toilet offset.

Ted White

Historically the very thin, low cost pre-damped drywall has very low test results. Almost the same as simple standard drywall.

If the offset is an issue, use the thinnest drywall that can be accommodated.

The door is still the likely culprit. You might consider a drop down automatic door bottom.

Scuba_Dave

I used insulation on the bathroom wall the borders the bedroom to cut down on sound
I also put a radio in the bathroom, I turn it on when I'm in there
Wife doesn't use it much
I need to replace the bathroom door with a solid door

Ron6519

Want to soundproof bath+ use a pocket door is at odds with the goal. Best case scenario is with a hinged, solid door.
Ron

Ted White

Egg trays? The #1 internet acoustic myth I'm afraid

Ted White

Mass is critically important to sound isolation. Solutions with less mass shouldn't be touted as advantageous. This is why standard drywall is such a great component. At $6 a sheet for 5/8" 72 lb rock, it's a great bargain. For higher levels of isolation consider the field application of a specific damping compound.

In this case, none of this is necessary.