Hey everyone! My partner and I recently moved in together and set up a wall in our finished basement using rock wool and sound dampening backer board, which worked wonders. However, we're struggling with noise from the living room above us. We hear everything—dogs walking around, our kitten jumping off the couch, and even the slightest sounds like wrapper crinkles!
We're considering options like acoustic tiles or adding green glue with more drywall, but I'm looking for some affordable solutions since it's a popcorn ceiling. My partner also has this TikTok idea about stretching fabric with LED lights overhead for a cool look, so we're open to solutions that may not be too visually appealing. What's the best way to sound insulate our basement that won't drain our budget?
3 Answers
One of the simplest fixes you can try is to add some thick rugs or carpet upstairs. The heavier and thicker they are, the better they'll absorb sound. It’s a low-cost and effective way to lessen the noise without a lot of hassle.
To really reduce sound transmission, consider using resilient clips and channels to decouple the ceiling, along with double drywall and some green glue. This combo is effective against low frequencies like footsteps. It's more work if you don't have exposed ceilings, but filling joist cavities with insulation can be a decent, budget-friendly fix. Honestly, there’s no super cheap answer, but these methods really do help.
If you want a solid option, think about using sound-dampening rug pads with some thick wool rugs upstairs. They'll help significantly with sound insulation and they're pretty easy to implement without drastic changes. Plus, if you're planning to add acoustic panels later, that might enhance the overall setup!
I love the idea of fabric panels and LED lights! But if you're looking for immediate sound solutions, just focus on those rugs for now. They help a ton and you can always tackle the panels later.