Basement ceilings can be a noisy nuisance, but they don’t have to be. Soundproofing your basement ceiling doesn’t have to break the bank; there are plenty of affordable and often DIY solutions out there. Whether you’re trying to drown out loud neighbors or just want some peace and quiet from upstairs, here are 8 of the cheapest ways to soundproof your basement ceiling. From flexible acoustic panels to cheap insulation, these tips will help you create a peaceful environment in no time.
1. Mats & Carpets
This method is one of the cheapest yet most useful ways to prevent noises that come above the basement. Using carpet on the basement ceiling can lessen the impact of loud sounds. A rubber mat will also do the work. Besides, putting a rubber mat under the carpet will increase the effectiveness of this method.
Remember, the thicker and softer these rugs are, the better insulation you will get. Choose these materials wisely, so they can complement your basement interior. This method is better for preventing inward sound. However, it can’t efficiently control the outward sound leakage.
2. Seal Ceiling Gaps
One of the main reasons behind the noise infiltration in your basement is the holes and cracks in the ceiling. However, you can easily stop the incoming sounds by blocking the gaps. Use caulk or green glue to seal them properly. This step is beneficial if you use it before applying any other hacks.
Otherwise, insulating your entire basement wouldn’t be possible. Remember to leave some air pockets, so they don’t cram up in the process.
3. Drywall & Resilient Channels
If your basement ceiling has drywall in it, you can use resilient channels over a drywall layer. This hat channel will create a space between the ceiling and the drywall with no connection in between. This will act as a barrier, and the soundwaves won’t be able to pass through it.
4. Acoustic Insulation
With no drywall, you need to soundproof the gaps between the parallelly placed beams of your basement. You can get the standard insulation done on the ceiling. However, to get the best result, using the acoustic insulation method will be better than the regular one. This process is fairly simple as you just need to cut the panels that are fitting for the beam cavities.
Then press them gently onto them. Remember to leave at least an inch to create some air pockets.
5. Apply Green Glue
This product is widely known in the market for its efficient performance and affordability. If you don’t want to apply acoustic caulking on your basement ceiling, use green glue to close off the cracks instead. This will transform the soundwave into an insignificant amount of heat energy that spreads throughout the basement ceiling.
Basement ceilings with drywalls or without them, you can use this in both conditions.
6. Rearrange Your Furniture
Your furniture position can create a great impact on insulating your basement. This trick is smart, and you don’t even need to buy anything extra! Just organize your furniture from the above floor in a specific pattern. Put the heavy ones like a sofa, closets, shelves, etc. on those noise-leaking spots. This will also give your above floor a great outlook.
Before attempting to do so, make sure your home is suitable for such an arrangement. You should be careful while doing it since the excessive movement of furniture can damage the floor. It’s not going to work if you keep changing the fixture positions.
7. Soundproofing Paint
This one is not the conventional paint we use in our regular home decoration. This insulating paint is thicker and has soundproofing components like latex, which helps to reflect the sound to its source. It is proved that such methods can reduce sound infiltration by 30%.
By applying multiple layers of this special paint, you can get a sufficient amount of silence in your basement.
8. MLV or MuteX Soundproof Material
For insulating the basement ceiling, MLV or Mutex soundproof materials can be another product for you that is both affordable and flexible to use. This thick yet light-weighted material is packaged as a roll that you can easily attach to your ceiling. These soundproof mats are made with Vinyl for flexibility and mass to act as a sound deterrent.
Other than the basement insulation, you can use this solution for many purposes like soundproofing your bedroom, car, office, etc. However, it is available in black color only. If you have a problem with having a dark shade like this, this might not satisfy you.
Final Words
Nowadays, turning your basement into a personal music studio, library, yoga spot, etc. is just a matter of time. Whether you want no sound going outside or no sound coming inside, all of these can be achieved within no time! Not to mention the least amount of expenses you have to bear!
While reading about the cheapest way to soundproof the basement ceiling, you should also remember that all these methods are pretty easy to do yourself. Some of these methods are so simple that you don’t need to be an expert or need any help to execute these techniques.
Also, you can combine these methods to get a better outcome!
