What Type of Ceiling Provides the Best Acoustic Insulation?

Acoustic ceilings are, as their name indicates, specially made for acoustic performance, and they are the best choice by far for acoustic insulation.

Acoustic ceilings come in many forms, shapes and materials: sprayed, wood, tiled, suspended, etc. - or sometimes several in combination. Which one you choose have to do with the particular project you are engaged in. There are several factors to consider before choosing a type of ceiling for your application.

Here’s what you have to look at before choosing materials.

Are you trying to stop the transmission of sound or noise from one floor to another? Are you trying to stop sound coming down from above or sound going up from below?

Are you trying to stop transmission of sound through air or sound through a structure? For example, if someone in the basement uses a punching bag that is attached to an overhead floor joist, that exercise will transmit sound and vibration through the structure.

Are you installing an acoustic ceiling to make music sound better within one room?

There are many materials that can be used for ceiling acoustic insulation, either alone or in combination. The issues are whether you are trying to block sound or improve the quality of sound, for example, for a recording studio.

There is vinyl sheeting, extra layers of drywall, MDF, rockwool, foam panels, acoustic caulking and sealant, and various hardware to uncouple parts of the structure. And this is just a few of the materials available.

There are sprayed ceilings, wood ceilings, tiled ceilings, and sometimes several in combination. The best materials are also dependent on what type of ceiling and structure is there to start with. Choosing the best material for an acoustic ceiling depends on a lot of factors. There's no one right answer.

Acoustic ceilings are our business. Contact us if you would like some help with your acoustic-ceiling project.

Turner Bros Contractors Ltd. has been providing steel-stud framing, drywall, and acoustic ceiling services for residential and commercial applications in the Vancouver area since 1932. The company is family-run with four generations of the family represented in the business. If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about your residential or commercial project, please call us at (604) 532-1991 or email us at info@turnerbros.ca.