Levelling Uneven Ceiling Joists Before Soundproofing
How to Level Uneven Ceiling Joists Prior to Soundproofing
It is common for us to hear from people who are experiencing noise from the floor of the property above them and would like to soundproof their ceiling from either neighbours upstairs or the upstairs in their own property.
Sound is usually broken down into two categories:
- Airborne Noise - people's voices and TV noise
- Impact and Vibration Noise - footsteps, doors banging and vibrations from appliances such as washing machines
Impact & Airborne Noise Learn More
Our recommended system, if you are only able to soundproof from the ceiling side is our
ReductoClip Ceiling System. Our blog on
How to soundproof a ceiling against noisy neighbours summarises the ReductoClip System for you.
How to soundproof a timber joist ceiling
How do I Level my Uneven Joists?
We often get calls from customers who live in older properties that would like to soundproof their ceilings either to reduce sound transmission from their neighbours living above them or alternatively to reduce the sound which they are creating from rising into the property above and causing a disturbance.
As you can imagine, these scenarios can be a little more complicated than dealing with ceilings within modern properties. Some of the issues in the past have included bowed ceilings or uneven joists which could have warped from thermal expansion and contraction or have sagged over time.
There are a variety of different ways you can address uneven joists so that they become the same height. The ceiling is then ready to install the ReductoClip System on to, creating a flush ceiling. Below are a couple of ideas for you to consider:
Option 1: Install Secondary Joists to the Side of your Existing Joists
A commonly used solution, and one that can save space is to install a strip of timber to the side of your existing joist.
Simply bolt these through the side of the joists to give a level height to work off.
Option 2: Install Packers between the Joists and the ReductoClips
A 2nd option is to install a packer in between the Joist and ReductoClip. You can do this where joists are sitting too high to lower the joist for the ReductoClip to be installed on to.You can also use small squares of plywood for this, which might be handy if you have any off cuts to use up.
This will mean that the ReductoClips will sit lower down on the joists that require them to sit lower.
Option 3: Second Set of Joists below the Existing Joists
The 3rd option for you would be to look at installing a second set of joists, which run the other way to the existing joists.
This will take up far more space, but you may also get an improvement in performance if they are suspended away from the existing joists, which will in turn separate the new ceiling from the existing ceiling.
Other Considerations
A main concern with older properties is the structure of them and how much extra weight they are able to take. If the ceilings are bowing, what is the cause of this and will they be able to take the weight of the ReductoClip System?
You may need to consult with a local builder or structural engineer before commencing any work of this nature to avoid any potential issues before you start your project.
You may find our
Ceiling Soundproofing Blog useful for further information regarding how to soundproof your ceiling and more information on our ReductoClip System for Timber Joisted Ceilings.
If you are looking specifically for soundproofing within older properties, our blog regarding
Original Floorboards may also be relevant to you. Especially if you are able to also install soundproofing on the floor side of the build up.
