Heat/Sound Insulation between joists.

Discussion in 'Eco Talk' started by Darren Bircher, Nov 25, 2016.

  1. Darren Bircher

    Darren Bircher New Member

    Hi,

    We have a 1950s house which unfortunately doesn't keep the heat or sound in particularly well.

    We're having the carpets replaced upstairs so we're taking the opportunity to insulate the floor between the ground floor and the first floor. I've read that accessing this from beneath is best, however, because we're not replacing the plaster boards this isn't any option. We have wooden floor boards upstairs and I can remove these easily enough and work my way around.

    To note; there are some electrical wires and central heating pipes between floors.

    I was thinking of either fibre insulation like Rockwool, or board insulation like Celotex. Either of these would do the job of insulating against heat loss but I'm guessing neither would do much good against the sound problem. Does anyone have any experience of either of these? Or any other recommendations? I'd read that adding battens slightly above the plasterboard (from the ceiling underneath) would create an air gap and prevent the buildup of condensation and would also prevent the electrical wiring from getting too hot.

    With regards to the sound proofing. I was thinking maybe something that could be laid over the top of the joists and insulation, but underneath the wooden floor boards. Does this sound like a realistic approach? Really trying to cover all the bases with this so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
     
  2. bopoman

    bopoman New Member

    For getting good sound insulation you need soft wood or other kinds of foam insulation.
    I prefer Styrofoam insulation boards as they provide good heat insulation and here Styrofoam boards are more inexpensive than other kinds of insulations. Ensure your contractors are using fire retardant Styrofoam insulation.
    Styrofoam boards are good sound and heat insulators. I finished flooring insulations with Styro boards as DIY.
     
  3. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

  4. bopoman

    bopoman New Member

    What about the price range? what about its heat insulation chara?
     
  5. P J Thompson

    P J Thompson Active Member

    I worked on a project turning basically a barn into a type of cinema. Sound leakage was a big concern and it was specced to use iirc 150 mm earthwool (roll not slab). And i have to say it worked pretty well. Not total sound proofing of course but only the really low frequencies leaked and bass is pretty darn powerful stuff.
    This is a recommendation for earthwool :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2017
    bopoman and Joe95 like this.
  6. bopoman

    bopoman New Member

  7. P J Thompson

    P J Thompson Active Member

    CGN likes this.
  8. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

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