How to sound deaden between sub-floor and finish floor?
#1
05-16-14, 08:09 PM
How to sound deaden between sub-floor and finish floor?
Hello DIY Forum!
Question: How can I sound deaden a 2nd level condo floor so foot traffic does not disturb the occupant below?
I closed on a condo unit the other day. It is the top level unit in a two-level building.
The floor for my unit has a 5/8" plywood sub-floor.
The previous owner(s) had put tile on top of the sub-floor.
Right now I am taking a hammer and removing the ceramic tile. I want to install a 1/4" or 1/2" plywood finish floor and then install wood plank vinyl flooring.
Is there any kind of material I can sandwich between the sub-floor and the finish floor so that the sound from walking across the floor is lessened/deadened?
Thanks.
Question: How can I sound deaden a 2nd level condo floor so foot traffic does not disturb the occupant below?
I closed on a condo unit the other day. It is the top level unit in a two-level building.
The floor for my unit has a 5/8" plywood sub-floor.
The previous owner(s) had put tile on top of the sub-floor.
Right now I am taking a hammer and removing the ceramic tile. I want to install a 1/4" or 1/2" plywood finish floor and then install wood plank vinyl flooring.
Is there any kind of material I can sandwich between the sub-floor and the finish floor so that the sound from walking across the floor is lessened/deadened?
Thanks.
#2
05-16-14, 08:53 PM
Group Moderator
Sure. There are sound deadening mats like SUPERSEAL Warm N Quiet Subfloor... or something as simple as a cork underlayment. There are acoustic underlayments, but many of them would probably necessitate removing your existing 5/8" subfloor or else the floor would get pretty thick. You would probably get the most bang for your buck by just adding 1/2" cement board to the floor... which would give you similar soundproofing to the old tile floor thanks to the density of the cement board, and you would still be able to lay your laminate on top of that.
PS: a rotary hammer set on "chipping" along with a wide chisel would probably pop that tile up easier than banging it into bits with a hammer. Hope you've got a good set of goggles!
PS: a rotary hammer set on "chipping" along with a wide chisel would probably pop that tile up easier than banging it into bits with a hammer. Hope you've got a good set of goggles!
#3
05-17-14, 05:05 AM
XSleeper;
Thanks for responding to my question.
I am installing vinyl flooring - not laminate. I already know about the sound deadener that you can put under laminate flooring. Lumber Liquidators has got a sound deadening material that goes under laminate flooring. I don't need that.
I need something that goes between the 5/8" plywood sub-floor and the 1/4" plywood finish floor.
Vinyl plank flooring has got to have plywood that has a sanded finish. OSB board ["oriented strand board"] or chip board won't work for vinyl plank flooring. The chips will come loose.
For the vinyl plank flooring you have got to have the sanded plywood. Then there goes a primer coat on top of the plywood. Then you put down the vinyl wood plank flooring.
That sound deadening material that Lumber Liquidators sells won't work being sandwiched between the plywood sub-floor and the plywood finish floor.
I am wondering if roll black paper, the kind you put underneath asphalt shingles, would work?
Thanks for responding to my question.
I am installing vinyl flooring - not laminate. I already know about the sound deadener that you can put under laminate flooring. Lumber Liquidators has got a sound deadening material that goes under laminate flooring. I don't need that.
I need something that goes between the 5/8" plywood sub-floor and the 1/4" plywood finish floor.
Vinyl plank flooring has got to have plywood that has a sanded finish. OSB board ["oriented strand board"] or chip board won't work for vinyl plank flooring. The chips will come loose.
For the vinyl plank flooring you have got to have the sanded plywood. Then there goes a primer coat on top of the plywood. Then you put down the vinyl wood plank flooring.
That sound deadening material that Lumber Liquidators sells won't work being sandwiched between the plywood sub-floor and the plywood finish floor.
I am wondering if roll black paper, the kind you put underneath asphalt shingles, would work?
#4
05-17-14, 05:16 AM
Are you installing a product such as Allure? I am not sure what sound deadening qualities you expect from roofer's felt. I would check with the manufacturer of your flooring to see if they recommend any underlayment. Going with their recommendation would not void your warranty.
#5
05-17-14, 05:02 PM
No, I am installing Lowe's Golden Oak vinyl floor planks.
Shop Style Selections 4-in W x 36-in L Golden Oak Luxury Vinyl Plank at Lowes.com
It's not a question about putting something between the finish floor plywood and the vinyl plank flooring.
From my initial post:
"Is there any kind of material I can sandwich between the sub-floor and the finish floor so that the sound from walking across the floor is lessened/deadened?"
- vinyl plank flooring
- finish floor plywood [plywood must have sanded finish - per Lowes]
- NEED SOUND DEADENER HERE
- sub-floor plywood
- floor joists
I am wanting to know if there is any kind of product that goes BENEATH the finish floor plywood and the sub-floor plywood [not between the finish floor plywood and the vinyl plank flooring].
I don't know if roofer's felt would work. That's why I asked the question if it would work. I don't know if it would work or not. Gee whiz.
Shop Style Selections 4-in W x 36-in L Golden Oak Luxury Vinyl Plank at Lowes.com
It's not a question about putting something between the finish floor plywood and the vinyl plank flooring.
From my initial post:
"Is there any kind of material I can sandwich between the sub-floor and the finish floor so that the sound from walking across the floor is lessened/deadened?"
- vinyl plank flooring
- finish floor plywood [plywood must have sanded finish - per Lowes]
- NEED SOUND DEADENER HERE
- sub-floor plywood
- floor joists
I am wanting to know if there is any kind of product that goes BENEATH the finish floor plywood and the sub-floor plywood [not between the finish floor plywood and the vinyl plank flooring].
I don't know if roofer's felt would work. That's why I asked the question if it would work. I don't know if it would work or not. Gee whiz.
#6
05-17-14, 06:51 PM
Group Moderator
Dear Jim,
You are welcome, we are here to help. After reading your reply to Chandler, let me say two things:
Number one, we are trying to help you solve your problem. There is no reason to bite back at us.
Second, you are mistaken in thinking that you can "only" use a sanded plywood for the surface of your subfloor, and that you "have to" sandwich something between layers of plywood to achieve sound control. (sorry that I called it laminate earlier, my mistake.) That is one way to do it, however. The first thing mentioned in the installation instructions for your product (thank you for telling us exactly what it is, so that we are not left guessing what type of flooring it is) is that it can be applied over a variety of surfaces... concrete, plywood and vinyl.
Previously, I thought I "was" answering your original question, as at least 2 of the items I mentioned can be sandwiched between the 5/8 subfloor and a new layer of plywood. Sorry if that wasn't clear. (sound deadening mats like SUPERSEAL Warm N Quiet Subfloor... or something as simple as a 6mm cork underlayment can be placed between layers of subfloor). Cement board (like Hardibacker 500) could also be used between layers, but personally I would skip the top layer of plywood, as it's unnecessary. You would just need to tape and float the joints of the Hardibacker 500, then use the primer you mentioned earlier. If you would reread my earlier post, I was suggesting the cement board because of it's sound deadening properties... which is what I thought you were after. Once the Hardibacker 500 is primed, it is no different than smooth plywood that also needs to be primed.
As far as felt paper preventing noise... well, it doesn't. You might as well use pixie dust between your layers of plywood. Felt paper was used in the past between layers of subfloor or under wood floor as a vapor retarder and as a means to eliminate any noise from wood rubbing against wood in case of deflection. Its use for the above purposes has been discontinued in favor of rosin paper.
You are welcome, we are here to help. After reading your reply to Chandler, let me say two things:
Number one, we are trying to help you solve your problem. There is no reason to bite back at us.
Second, you are mistaken in thinking that you can "only" use a sanded plywood for the surface of your subfloor, and that you "have to" sandwich something between layers of plywood to achieve sound control. (sorry that I called it laminate earlier, my mistake.) That is one way to do it, however. The first thing mentioned in the installation instructions for your product (thank you for telling us exactly what it is, so that we are not left guessing what type of flooring it is) is that it can be applied over a variety of surfaces... concrete, plywood and vinyl.
Previously, I thought I "was" answering your original question, as at least 2 of the items I mentioned can be sandwiched between the 5/8 subfloor and a new layer of plywood. Sorry if that wasn't clear. (sound deadening mats like SUPERSEAL Warm N Quiet Subfloor... or something as simple as a 6mm cork underlayment can be placed between layers of subfloor). Cement board (like Hardibacker 500) could also be used between layers, but personally I would skip the top layer of plywood, as it's unnecessary. You would just need to tape and float the joints of the Hardibacker 500, then use the primer you mentioned earlier. If you would reread my earlier post, I was suggesting the cement board because of it's sound deadening properties... which is what I thought you were after. Once the Hardibacker 500 is primed, it is no different than smooth plywood that also needs to be primed.
As far as felt paper preventing noise... well, it doesn't. You might as well use pixie dust between your layers of plywood. Felt paper was used in the past between layers of subfloor or under wood floor as a vapor retarder and as a means to eliminate any noise from wood rubbing against wood in case of deflection. Its use for the above purposes has been discontinued in favor of rosin paper.
