I am currently contemplating putting an apartment on the second floor of commercial building. I am trying to eliminate noise from above as to not disturb business below. It is currently 2x12 floor joists with 1" tongue and groove flooring. My plan is to tear up the flooring and put down 3/4 osb or plywood first. i'd glue and screw it to the joists. i want to reinstall the same t+g in most of the flat. some areas , probably the bedrooms only will be carpet. the reason i'm removing the t+g throught to soundproof somehow and some is water damaged. my idea is once i have the new subfloor down put a layer of soundproofing mat which i've seen at various websites then put my finish flooring over that. any other suggestions would be appreciated. another idea is to blow in insulation between joists? would that be worth the expense and trouble, that wouldn't really eliminate footfalls eminating through the joists, but just a thought
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it sounds like you are doing every thing right,but i doubt the insulation will help,but then it won't hurt either...
Couple of thoughts
As you build up the finished floor higher, you cahnge the dismount onto the top step of the stairs, possibly to something unsafe or against codes. You might end up needing to rebuild the stairs too then.
Spray urethene foam from under will help the sound transmissions.
Sound travels more through solids so any separations will help prevent transfer. We use strapping under the joists (1x4's @16" OC perpendicular to joists) to isolate the drywall ceiling from the solids of the joists.
Mass will absorb vibrations so a double thickness of drywall will not only give better fire protection, but will prevent some sound transmission.
Homasote makes a good isolation/absorbtion ply for between flooring materials. Carpet will cushion footfalls.
