Soundproofing a rented flimsily-built (Theatre) rehearsal space
November 6, 2013 7:10 PM Subscribe
We've rented a rehearsal space for our theatre company on the second storey of a really old shophouse. Our rehearsals are pissing off our downstairs neighbour. How can we soundproof our activities?
Our theatre company's rented a smallish space (about 6m x 10m) on the second storey of a shophouse for rehearsals and workshops. Our neighbour has played recordings of the noise we make and it's quite bad. We'd like to try soundproofing our studio in some way.
A few things:
1) Our floor consists of wooden panels (unknown thickness) laid upon (screwed to, it seems) concrete beams, and another false ceiling below that.
2) Shouting's an issue as well, it seems.
3) It's rented, so there's not much in the way of permanent or semi-permanent alterations we can do. Anything would have to be quite light, we think. Possibly cork, but we don't know much about it or if that's feasible.
At the moment we're considering a layer of carpeting and working barefoot. We're also thinking about draping large curtains along the walls to absorb some of the sound. Would those work? Is there anything else we can do?
Our theatre company's rented a smallish space (about 6m x 10m) on the second storey of a shophouse for rehearsals and workshops. Our neighbour has played recordings of the noise we make and it's quite bad. We'd like to try soundproofing our studio in some way.
A few things:
1) Our floor consists of wooden panels (unknown thickness) laid upon (screwed to, it seems) concrete beams, and another false ceiling below that.
2) Shouting's an issue as well, it seems.
3) It's rented, so there's not much in the way of permanent or semi-permanent alterations we can do. Anything would have to be quite light, we think. Possibly cork, but we don't know much about it or if that's feasible.
At the moment we're considering a layer of carpeting and working barefoot. We're also thinking about draping large curtains along the walls to absorb some of the sound. Would those work? Is there anything else we can do?
Interlocking foam mats are cheap. (But, did you rent the place with clear intentions? This sounds like you're getting a bit taken by the landlord.)
posted by kmennie at 7:21 PM on November 6, 2013
posted by kmennie at 7:21 PM on November 6, 2013
I doubt there is an acoustic 'quick fix' to a group of people strenuously jumping around and shouting at each other on the second floor of a small building.
Could you schedule to accommodate the other tenant a bit? E.g. out of business hours, if it's a commercial building (it sounds like it)?
posted by carter at 7:30 PM on November 6, 2013
Could you schedule to accommodate the other tenant a bit? E.g. out of business hours, if it's a commercial building (it sounds like it)?
posted by carter at 7:30 PM on November 6, 2013
Response by poster: We already operate outside the usual business hours - he runs his shop from 10am-7pm weekdays, and we run our sessions after 7pm weekdays and most weekends. However, he does occasionally meet clients (he runs a wedding boutique/ planning shop) after hours. We've been there a month and he's only started complaining in the last month.
Technically we're subletting; we share our space with a visual artist (she takes up part of the second floor) from whom we sublet our portion. She was aware of our activities but it wasn't raised during initial negotiations.
posted by WalterMitty at 8:31 PM on November 6, 2013
Technically we're subletting; we share our space with a visual artist (she takes up part of the second floor) from whom we sublet our portion. She was aware of our activities but it wasn't raised during initial negotiations.
posted by WalterMitty at 8:31 PM on November 6, 2013
Best answer: I am an acoustics consultant, and carter is correct that there's probably not a "light" way to deal with this effectively. Adding some absorptive material in your rehearsal space will help a little but theoretically, what would really help to limit sound transmission through your floor is a combination of at least a few things:
1. Increase the mass of the floor system by incorporating heavy or dense materials. There will very possibly be structural implications related to this. Every doubling of the mass of the floor will reduce transmitted sound by about 3 dB, and typically a 10 dB reduction would correspond to halving the loudness of the sound that makes it downstairs.
2. Add a resilient layer to the floor system, like neoprene or cork, as you suggested. This helps to cut off the transmission of vibrations from your floor into the joists and through to the ceiling below.
3. Stuff the space between the floor joists with fiberglass insulation. I cannot speak to the fire or building code implications of this.
These are all generic recommendations and without seeing the space, it is difficult to assess what the most cost-effective and least invasive approach would be. Truly, you should have a consultant visit, speak with you and your neighbor if possible, measure the performance of your floor and provide you with some specific recommendations. The National Council of Acoustical Consultants may help you to locate someone nearby.
posted by maximum sensing at 8:44 PM on November 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
1. Increase the mass of the floor system by incorporating heavy or dense materials. There will very possibly be structural implications related to this. Every doubling of the mass of the floor will reduce transmitted sound by about 3 dB, and typically a 10 dB reduction would correspond to halving the loudness of the sound that makes it downstairs.
2. Add a resilient layer to the floor system, like neoprene or cork, as you suggested. This helps to cut off the transmission of vibrations from your floor into the joists and through to the ceiling below.
3. Stuff the space between the floor joists with fiberglass insulation. I cannot speak to the fire or building code implications of this.
These are all generic recommendations and without seeing the space, it is difficult to assess what the most cost-effective and least invasive approach would be. Truly, you should have a consultant visit, speak with you and your neighbor if possible, measure the performance of your floor and provide you with some specific recommendations. The National Council of Acoustical Consultants may help you to locate someone nearby.
posted by maximum sensing at 8:44 PM on November 6, 2013 [1 favorite]
It suddenly occurs to me that this is not in the USA. Ignore the NCAC recommendation, sorry!
posted by maximum sensing at 9:21 PM on November 6, 2013
posted by maximum sensing at 9:21 PM on November 6, 2013
My first thought would be rubber playground matting of the type made from recycled tyres.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:01 PM on November 6, 2013
posted by DarlingBri at 11:01 PM on November 6, 2013
My suggestion would be a combination of something like the foam mats, and a false floor made of standard theatrical platforms with either styrofoam or fiberglass insulation on the bottom. This gives you a dead air space, and should isolate the footfalls from transmission to the real floor.
posted by Morydd at 4:52 AM on November 7, 2013
posted by Morydd at 4:52 AM on November 7, 2013
Response by poster: Quick follow-up: my dad & I covered about 60% of our floorspace in a combination of wood, rubber, foam soundproofing and carpet which is about 1.5 inches thick, and our neighbour hasn't said a word since. Yay!
posted by WalterMitty at 1:54 AM on February 7, 2014
posted by WalterMitty at 1:54 AM on February 7, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by WalterMitty at 7:14 PM on November 6, 2013