What Is the Best Soundproofing Material for Ceiling?

Soundproofing ceilings is an essential process for any commercial space where the business spans multiple floors, or when there are other offices above. From footfalls to music, dropped objects, and so on, the noise from overhead can make workspaces difficult to concentrate in. There exist practical options for soundproofing ceilings that depend primarily on the existing ceiling style, the type of sound you’re trying to diminish, and, of course, your budget. There are also many soundproofing materials available on the market; of which we have highlighted some of the best options below.

CEILING NOISE TYPES

Before jumping into the selection of the soundproofing material for your ceilings, it is important to analyze what types of intrusive sounds your space is experiencing. Impact noise and airborne noise are two types of intrusive sounds that can be resolved with the soundproofing of ceilings. Footsteps, chairs dragging across the floor, stomps, and falling objects overhead are some examples of impact noise. Impact noise makes direct contact with the floor, is transmitted through the structure itself, and reverberates its way down to you. Music, conversation, and television sounds are some examples of airborne noise. Airborne noise travels in waves and moves through open spaces within the structure.

TYPES OF CEILING

Once you know what type of noise you’re dealing with, the next step is to figure out what type of ceiling your space has. Drywall ceilings and suspended drop tile ceilings are two of the most popular used ceilings in commercial spaces, however, new ceiling designs and structures are becoming more popular, meaning the conditions, materials, and soundproofing strategy will vary.

ELEMENTS OF SOUNDPROOFING 

There are four important elements to pay attention to in order to efficiently control the noise before it reaches you. These elements are decoupling, absorption, mass, and damping. To successfully reduce the impact of unwanted sound, it is important to find solutions that can address multiple issues at once, and have an effect on each of these four elements.

BEST SOUNDPROOFING MATERIALS FOR CEILING

Blade Grid 009 | Acoustic Felt Ceiling Panel is one of many acoustic implementation solutions for drop ceilings, as they add mass to the already existing drywall. A single or (preferably) double drywall in combination with a damping compound will significantly increase the effectiveness of soundproofing for your ceiling. Similarly, increasing the density of the ceiling with acoustic insulation slabs (a minimum of 60 kg/m3) efficiently reduces airborne sound and increases overall insulation. Soft materials such as fiberglass insulation work best when it comes to absorbing noise, while heavier materials such as drywall, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or a layer of hefty vinyl sheeting do a great job at this as well.

When focusing on the walls to interrupt sound, it is helpful to create a gap or insert a non-conductive barrier in order to prevent noise and natural vibrations from moving across the ceiling and down through the joists. There is also a wide variety of acoustic paneling options available to further increase sound absorption and disruption. A combination of both acoustic solutions implemented on ceilings and walls will of course yield the best results.