Well, I'm ready to start my theater. I'm using a very small guest bedroom downstairs and have decided I need to work on the ceiling first. The room is 13.5' long, 10' wide, and 8' high. Currently it's just a standard ceiling, nothing fancy. My soon-to-be 2 year old son sleeps above the room. As of right now, I'm thinking of three different options, but would love to hear all of your opinions. Keep in mind, I am going to be doing this whole theater as cheap as possible, but at the same time looking for best bang for the buck.
-Option 1: Add a layer of 5/8" drywall + Green Glue

-Option 2: Add a 2" x 4" frame to ceiling,stuff with insulation, and hang a layer of drywall, creating a double ceiling.

-Option 3: Something else, but not over the top expensive.

Which do you think would be more effective? I realize option 2 cuts down on ceiling height, but I'd be okay with it.

Eric

If you do the DD and GG, you would need to do the same on the walls also. Otherwise, noise will flank the ceiling and still get to your son's room. To just treat the ceiling would be a big waste of resources.

The second method you described would have the same flanking issues, as you would need to treat the walls also. I would also be concern by creating a triple leaf effect, by doing it that way. Essentially, you may be creating a resonant cavity that would wreak havok on your theater.

The sound isolation topic is discusses ad nauseum around here and the general consensus is do nothing or do it right. Doing it right would entail double drywall and GG. All seams caulked, all voids filled, boxing in can lights, to basically create an airtight (and, thus, noise tight) room. Some of the smart guys talk about the aquarium model: If there are any holes in your aquarium (HT) it will not hold water (sound).

Unfortunately, sound isolation and cheap seem to be mutually exclusive principles. Cheap alternatives would include not using the theater when your son is sleeping or turning the volume way down (buttshakers?) when he is.

thanks gonzo. i do intend on treating the walls, just focusing on the ceiling first as i'll need to hire that part out. so the double ceiling is a bad idea. i was just thinking it would help for bass.

I THINK the double ceiling would potentially create some problems (triple leaf effect), but I am not an acoustic guy. I just regurgitate what I have read other people (who are smarter than me) say. You may want to think about a single tube of GG per drywall sheet, which yeilds about 70% of the dampening achieved with 2 tubes per sheet. You could probably get a room that size done for about $300 in GG, maybe even less if you can calculate your usage really well and try to pick up some left over tubes from other members. Since they only sell it by the case, the GG calculator rounds up to the nearest case, and a lot of people end up with extra tubes.

I agree, double ceiling is a bad idea. stick with the DDGG route. but treat the whole room as stated and don't forget your outlets, lights and vents and a heavy door with weather stripping.

already bought and safe and sound door and plan on gg'ing that up as well. next is the ceiling which i'm going to pay someone to do, and i'll probably do the walls and floor myself. did some reading on the triple leaf, so that's scratched. thanks again guys, i'll be back for more help with my next thread.

I you want to enjoy the theater experience after bed-time I think you are really going to have to roll-up the sleaves.

First thing I would do is surgically remove the existing drywall on the ceiling. Then hang additional ceiling joists that hang 1/2 inch lower then the existing joists by notching each end to sit on the walls . Then do your wiring for the projector. Stuff the ceiling with insulation then do the DD and GG. That will decouple the ceiling and you might have a chance if you treat the walls.