Soundproofing Your Ceiling the Right Way

It’s not really difficult to soundproof any part of a room, but most people get a little bit flustered when they realize noise is coming from above. Do you go upstairs and soundproof the floor? Do you try to soundproof the ceiling in the room you’re in? Either plan works, but today we’ll talk about soundproofing the ceiling from below.
Obviously, things like sound control curtains or acoustic panels aren’t going to be appropriate for this situation. What you have to remember is that your ceiling is built in a manner similar to your walls – with studs and drywall. With that in mind, we’ll use the same technique we use on walls, with Green Glue and new drywall, to soundproof the ceiling.
First, we’ll assume you’re soundproofing a room that is already finished. You’ll need to prep the room. Remove any light fixtures or fans from the ceiling – if you have them. Then cut the drywall to fit over the existing on the ceiling (being sure to cut out the spaces for your light fixtures again). Apply some Green Glue to the new drywall and attach it right over the existing ceiling. You’ll definitely need a friendly hand or two to help with the installation. From there, you can use some acoustical caulk to seal the seams and then refinish your ceiling. Don’t forget to seal up the insides of the hole where your ceiling fixture attaches as well.
You can do an even better job if you soundproof the ceiling as the room is being built. To do so, you’ll need to cut pieces of drywall that are small enough to fit between the ceiling joists. You’ll then do the same procedure with your Green Glue and drywall, but you’ll attach to the bottom of the upstairs subfloor.
Once that’s done, you can install your fiberglass or insulation. Then you can grab some whisper clips and create a hat channel before adding your bottom layer of drywall. To make sure the room is super quiet, you’ll install a final layer of drywall and another layer of Green glue. Seal the seams and finish your ceiling as needed.
Don’t stress extra noise. Yes, the sound of footsteps is natural, but televisions, phones, music, and other distractions can really keep you awake and impact your health. The quieter your home, the healthier you’ll be.