Which is best for sound proofing - 6lb / 8lb carpet pad, rubber pad, or cork underlay

oodssoo

Thank you in advance.

wewantutopia

The only thing approved for laminate flooring underlayment in most condos in Chicagoland (for sound deadening for the tenants below) is cork. It is definitely better at sound control than carpet pad. Rubber pad, depends on the product.

__________________
Flooring installer. Ecological Restoration Technician. Green Building Enthusiast. Obsessed with insulating.

oodssoo

In lieu of two layers of drywall, I am thinking about using cork as a sound insulator between the ceiling joists and drywall for the new basement buildout project. The space will be used for living space.

CanAmGuy

Regarding your comment on the ceiling application. you may find simple using resilient channel to suspend the drywall from the joist will provide adequate sound control at a fraction of the cost of putting cork on the joist. Another key factor is using a sound absorbing silicone at the joints and perimeter of the ceiling. The type of drywall you use can also be a factor. How much noise are you trying to eliminate? for example is it a game room or fitness room in the basement that you don't want the noise traveling to the room above.

oodssoo

Thanks for the comments thus far.

With regards to CanAmGuy's comment, primarily the basement area will be like an apartment (i.e. bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, etc.). So, the thought of doing anything is to prevent sound from going up and down. So by definition, it would be sound insulation (???).

At any rate, for the drop ceiling vs drywall topic, we chose to go with the look that does not make it look like a basement.

The thought to add a layer of carpet pad material, rubber carpet pad, or cork in between the joist and the drywall is simply to stop sound from passing through onto the drywall.

QUESTION: Just curious though, where can I get this kind of drywall you are speaking of?

wewantutopia

Of your three proposed choices, cork would be the best for sound insulation.

__________________
Flooring installer. Ecological Restoration Technician. Green Building Enthusiast. Obsessed with insulating.

CanAmGuy

Just to clarify, the method I was referring to is not suspended ceiling tiles. It will look just like your livingroom ceiling. In between the floor joist install a sound attenuation batt (acoustical insulation, unfaced).Then a RC-1 resilient channel is mounted running perpendicular to your floor joist. (it's like a furring strip). then your drywall is mounted to the resilient channel. at the butt joints of the drywall you want to use a silicone as well as around the perimeter. Make sure the drywall is not tight to the wall, leave a small gap (1/8") for the silicone. Then finishing taping, mudding and painting. That should give you an STC rating around 50

CanAmGuy

Here is another good sound absorbing product that we sell in frequently.http://www.homasote.com/Installation...ights_wall.pdf Homosote 440 Sound Barrier is easy to handle and depending on your area may be cheaper than cork.

oodssoo

Came across this at Home Depot... Roberts AirGuard 100 sq. ft., 3.34 ft. x 30 ft. X .25 in. thick, Premium 3-in-1 Underlayment.

Has anyone used this product before? If so, what's your experience like?

oodssoo

No one?

wewantutopia

That is the underlayment covered in EPS foam beads right? NOT a fan.

__________________
Flooring installer. Ecological Restoration Technician. Green Building Enthusiast. Obsessed with insulating.