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Renovation 4th Edition

Page 105

by Michael Litchfield


  If the floors beneath your appliances aren’t

  the drywall to float. Second, there is a 1⁄4-in. gap

  adequately supported, they will transmit sound

  around the perimeter of the ceiling, which is

  like a drumhead. So consider that when devising

  caulked with acoustical sealant.

  solutions.

  Remember: The fewer screws you use, the bet-

  Ducts, pipes, and wires. You wouldn’t want to

  ter the soundproofing.

  live without electrical, plumbing, and HVAC sys-

  tems, but you don’t have to live with the racket

  SOUNDpROOFiNg

  they make. Where forced-hot-air ducts are acces-

  WAllS: ONE AppROACH

  sible, wrap them in insulating jackets to conserve In addition to sealing the many wall openings

  heat and suppress sound; where they exit to

  that can leak sound and filling stud bays with

  deliver heat to the house, fill the spaces between

  fiberglass batts, you can install a sound-deadening

  ducts and framing with expandable foam. Caulk

  layer before installing drywall panels. Drywall

  or foam-fill the holes for plumbing pipes and

  expert Myron Ferguson recommends covering

  electrical cables, and you’ll simultaneously sup-

  studs with 1⁄8-in.-thick mass-loaded vinyl sheets,

  press sounds and stop drafts.

  which, he notes, are “acoustically equivalent to a

  If your renovation includes gutting walls and

  sheet of lead.” Again, detailing is crucial: caulk-

  exposing these mechanical systems, you can also

  ing seams between sheets, carefully cutting open-

  wrap HVAC ducts and DWV pipes with dense

  ings in the vinyl for electrical boxes (power off, of

  vinyl jackets, which incorporate a layer of fiber-

  446 Chapter 15

  course), and caulking their edges. To boost

  Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings,

  Ferguson further recommends using a sound-

  control drywall such as

  zzzzzz Options for Deadening Sound

  1⁄

  Original wall

  2-in. Suppress® panels,

  which laminate two 1⁄4-in. layers with a resilient

  adhesive to further reduce structure-borne sound.

  Original wall

  A more affordable solution: Cut the mass-

  loaded vinyl into 2-in. strips and staple them to

  5

  stud edges before installing drywall. Similarly,

  /8-in. drywall screwed to channel

  with type S drywall screws

  you can staple to stud edges the foam-gasket

  strips intended to create a sound break between

  5/8-in. drywall screwed to channel

  floor joists and subfloors. In both cases, the resil-

  with type-S drywall screws

  ient strips will reduce the transmission of sound

  Resilient channel, 24 in. o.c.,

  between drywall panels and studs.

  perpendicular to studs

  SOUNDpROOFiNg:

  Resilient channel, 24 in. o.c.,

  perpendicular to studs

  lESSONS FROM A SOUND STUDiO

  OPTION A

  To reduce sound transmission through an existing wall, attach

  Stephen Marshall of www.thelittlehouseonthe

  resilient channel and a layer of 5/8-in. drywall.

  OPTION A

  trailer.com allowed me to photograph details of a

  To reduce sound transmission through an existing wall, attach

  sound studio he created for a musician/composer

  Carpet Original wall

  resilient channel and a layer of 5/8-in. drywall.

  client (pp. 448–449). The studio’s design had two

  Joist

  primary functions, which were somewhat at

  Carpet

  cross-purposes. First, the studio had to be thor-

  oughly soundproofed (achieving an STC 60 rating)

  5

  Joist

  /8-in. drywall screwed to

  5/8-in. drywall screwed to channel

  so the musical instruments could be played (and

  channel with type S drywall

  with type S drywall screws

  screws

  OPTION B

  recorded) without disturbing neighbors. Second,

  5/8-in. drywall screwed to

  Deaden noise between

  the space had to be pleasant and light-filled dur-

  channel with type-S drywall

  floors by carpeting the

  ing those times when the client was engaged in

  Resilient channel, 24 in. o.c.,

  screws

  Resilient channel, 24 in. o.c.,

  perpendicular to studs

  floor, insulating between

  quieter pursuits.

  perpendicular to joists

  joists, and installing a ceil-

  The studio had fiberglass batt insulation on

  Resilient channel, 24 in. o.c.,

  ing of resilient channel and

  all six sides and resilient channels attached to

  OPTION A

  Sound-attenuation

  To reduce sound transmission through an existing wall, attach

  perpendicular to joists

  batts

  drywall underneath. For

  walls and the ceiling, to which drywall would be

  OPTION B

  resilient channel and a layer of 5/8-in. drywall.

  optional sound deaden-

  attached. The sound-control drywall was specially

  Deaden noise between floors by carpeting the floor, insulating Sound-attenuation

  ing, insulate with special

  ordered: It was 3⁄

  Carpet

  batts

  4 in. thick, consisting of three

  between joists, and instal ing a ceiling of resilient channel and drywal

  OPTION B

  sound-attenuation batts.

  pieces of 1⁄4-in. drywall of varying densities and

  underneath. For optimal sound deadening, insulate with special

  Joist

  Deaden noise between floors by carpeting the floor, insulating

  laminated with an elastomeric adhesive that

  sound-attenuation batts.

  between joists, and instal ing a ceiling of resilient channel and drywal

  never completely sets—so the adhesive also acted

  5/8-in. drywall screwed to

  Original wall

  underneath. For optimal sound deadening, insulate with special

  as a sound-deadening agent. The panels were

  channel with type S drywall

  screws

  sound-attenuation batts.

  extremely heavy, each more than 125 lb., so

  New framing

  Original wall

  installing them on the ceiling required both a

  Resilient channel, 24 in. o.c.,

  dry-wall lift and extra hands to hold panels in

  perpendicular to joists

  Sound-attenuation

  New framing

  place so they could be screwed to the resilient

  batts

  Sound-attenuation

  channels (see p. 449).

  batts

  OPTION B

  Apply sealant around

  Sound-attenuation

  Typically, drywall ceilings are installed first so

  Deaden noise between floors by carpeting the floor, insulating wall edges.

  batts

  the edges of ceiling panels are supported by the

  between joists, and instal ing a ceiling of resilient c
hannel and drywal

  tops of wall panels. But here the goal was to iso-

  underneath. For optimal sound deadening, insulate with special Apply sealant around

  wall edges.

  late the ceiling and allow it to float from the

  sound-attenuation batts.

  Original wall

  metal resilient channels. So wall panels were

  5/8-in. drywall

  attached first; ceiling panels were then installed

  New framing

  so that there was a gap between ceiling and

  5

  Sound-attenuation

  /8-in. drywall

  walls. That gap would be filled with resilient

  1/2-in. cut through subflooring

  batts

  acoustic sealant—OSI® Pro-Series® SC-175.

  interrupts sound path.

  Apply sealant around

  Should the ceiling panels and resilient channels

  1

  OPTION C

  /2

  wall edges.

  -in. cut through subflooring

  sag slightly, they would still never make contact

  interrupts sound path.

  Double walls with discontinuous flooring is effective but eats up

  with wall panels.

  living space.

  OPTION C

  5/8-in. drywall

  Double walls with discontinuous flooring is effective but eats up

  living space.

  1/2-in. cut through subflooring

  interrupts sound path.

  Finish Surfaces

  447

  OPTION C

  Double walls with discontinuous flooring is effective but eats up

  living space.

  Additionally, mass-loaded vinyl was used to

  achieve an STC 60 rating in some of the most

  problematic areas: electrical boxes and the win-

  dows that made the space so pleasant. Electrical

  boxes were surface-mounted to avoid creating

  holes in the envelope and wrapped with mass-

  loaded vinyl jackets. But because the acoustical

  value of a room is only as strong as its weakest

  link, the windows were the greatest test. High-

  performing sound windows would have been

  prohibitively expensive, so the solution called for

  sliding window covers, rather like sliding barn

  doors, which would be constructed from mass-

  loaded vinyl and rigid insulation. When it was

  time to make music, the insulated covers would

  slide over the windows, creating a uniform

  STC 60 cocoon.

  This sound studio is insulated on all six sides. Special

  sound-attenuating drywall will be attached to metal

  resilient channels, rather than screwed directly to

  framing. Resilient channels allow the drywall panels to

  float—further absorbing sound. window openings were

  the studio’s biggest soundproofing challenge.

  Interior surfaces were clad in a special

  3⁄4-in. drywall fabricated from three

  layers of 1⁄4-in. drywall of different

  densities, glued together with an

  elastomeric adhesive. Because

  the adhesive never quite set, the

  layers shifted somewhat during

  handling, which meant that each

  panel had to be “trued up” before

  it could installed.

  448 Chapter 15

  Unlike a typical drywall job, in which ceiling panels are installed first so they

  The three-ply 3⁄4-in. drywall panels were so heavy they needed both a drywall

  can be partially supported by wall panels, this design called for an isolated

  lift and some supplemental help to hold them flat to the resilient channel so

  ceiling. wall panels were installed first, and ceiling panels were cut 1⁄4 in. shy

  they could be attached.

  of walls—so the ceiling panels would never touch the walls. The 1⁄4-in. gap was

  filled with acoustic sealant.

  Mass-loaded vinyl, which is pliable

  and weighs about 1 lb. per sq. ft., was

  used to help sound-deaden some

  crucial areas, including electrical

  boxes and sliding window coverings.

  Finish Surfaces

  449

  16 Tiling

  Tile surfaces can be beautiful, durable,

  and—if you’re patient—fairly easy to install.

  Although tile has a hard finish, the ultimate dura-

  bility of the installation depends on the integrity

  of what lies beneath.

  Choosing Tile

  There’s a riot of tiles to choose from, including

  slate, white porcelain hexagonals, ruddy Mexican

  pavers, tumbled marble, glass mosaic, brick

  veneer, cast cement, limestone quarry tile embed-

  ded with fossils, and so on. You can even paint

  your own designs on unglazed tiles and then have

  them kiln-fired. Although some types of tile are

  better suited to certain uses than others, finding

  a tile you like is rarely a problem.

  Selecting tile

  Here are seven useful tips for choosing tile

  appropriate to the job:

   Make sure the tile can handle the

  conditions where it will be installed. Does it

  need to be waterproof? Will you walk on it?

  Will you set pots on it?

   Sketch the area to be tiled. Include

  dimensions, fixtures, corners, odd jogs, and

  adjoining surfaces such as wood flooring or

  carpet. This sketch is a systematic first step in

  assembling a materials list.

   Choose a tile store with knowledgeable

  staff that will take the time to answer your

  questions. Plan to visit the shop on a weekday,

  which is likely to be less busy and thus a good

  time to get extra help. High-end tile stores

  have room mockups and may also have a

  website showing a wide selection of tiled

  Decorative and durable, tile can handle high humidity and heavy use—making it a great choice

  for kitchens and baths. A little Mexican, a little Moorish, this bathroom is always sunny.

  450

  kitchens and baths. Stores will also display

  many types of tile in 2-ft.-sq. or 3-ft.-sq. panels.

  Such visual expanses of tile convey much more

  than single-tile samples.

   If you like a particular tile, have your

  salesperson determine the manufacturer’s

  specs, which should tell you its suitability for

  various uses. For example, you wouldn’t want

  to install a wall-rated tile on a floor.

   At some point, reconcile the tiles you like

  with your budget. Some tile is breathtakingly

  expensive. Also check on availability. Will

  specially ordered tile arrive in time to meet

  your renovation schedule?

   Determine if trim tile is available for the

  pattern or type of field pattern you select. Trim

  tile is used to finish edges and corners and is

  especially important for counter installations.

   Test a tile sample at home. Here, you

  want to determine its suitability for your

  intended location by simulating actual use; for

  These tumbled-marble sheets are attached to a paper backing, which is embedded into

  example, by scuffing it with shoes, banging it

  the adhesive.

  with pots, or dribbling it w
ith water to check

  for absorption. Does the tile clean easily?

  Color and size. In general, smaller tiles are bet-

  ter suited for small areas, such as counters.

  Larger tiles are more appropriate for larger

  zzzzzz Field and trim tile

  areas, such as floors. Because light-colored tiles

  reflect more light, they make a room seem larger.

  SURFACE-BULLNOSE

  Conversely, dark tiles make a room seem smaller.

  TRIM

  However, light colors tend to show dirt more

  readily. Vivid colors or busy designs can provide

  nice accents, but when used to cover large areas,

  Field cove

  Left-hand

  they may seem overpowering.

  cove stop

  Grout is a specialized mortar that seals the

  Surface trim

  joints between tiles. Its color can make a big

  Right-hand

  cove stop

  impact on the overall look. The closer the grout

  color matches the tile color, the more subdued

  Field tile

  and formal the surface. The more contrast

  between grout and tile, the busier, more festive,

  Surface-

  or more geometric the tile job will appear and the

  bullnose corner

  more it will highlight your tiling skill.

  Surface-bullnose

  Manufactured versus handmade. Mass-

  V-cap trim

  down angle

  produced ceramic tile is popular because it has a

  clean, classical look, and its uniform size makes

  RADIUS-BULLNOSE

  an installation more predictable. Most smaller

  TRIM

  (1⁄2-in. to 2-in.) mass-produced tiles come evenly

  spaced and premounted on paper sheets or fiber-

  glass mesh, simplifying installation.

  Handmade tiles offer unique color and a

  Radius cove

  Radius-bullnose

  handsome, handcrafted look. But these irregular

  down angle

  tiles take greater patience and skill to lay out and

  install. Handmade tiles often need thinset adhe-

  Radius trim

  sive applied to each back, as well as a thinset

  Quarter-round

  layer troweled onto a setting bed. Because they

  tiling

  451

  are irregular, handmade tiles may also need to be

  arranged with plastic spacers to align their edges

  trim Tile

  with the underlying layout lines.

  Sheet-mounted tiles. Some tile comes either

  Trim tile is specially shaped to trim or finish off

  face mounted or back mounted, typically on

  surface edges, corners, and other transitions.

  12-in. by 12-in. sheets. To install face-mounted

 

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