Soundproof Ceiling Using Isolation Hangers

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Soundproof Ceiling With Hat Channels: https://youtu.be/tnNu9bFD4ck

There are several options when it comes to soundproofing your ceiling. In this article I am going to explain the isolation hanger method. This will give you superior results when compared to the hat channel system, but may cost more and requires doing some basic math before diving in. 

Let's take a look at how to build an isolated hanging ceiling. 

1) Overview Of The Design

The basic way this soundproofing method works is that the hanger when activated with the right amount of weight will isolate your ceiling from the rest of the structure. You can see in the diagram below how the isolation hangers hold up 2x4's that span your room and then you drill in two layers of 5/8" drywall into the 2x4's. This way your ceiling is completely detached from the floor above. Sound does not travel through the hangers thus making your ceiling soundproof. 

2) Calculating What Hangers You Need

In his book, Home Recording Studio: Build It Like The Pros, Rod Gervais recommends using Mason Industries WHR Hangers.  These hangers come in different colors based on the weight of the ceiling you are hanging. 

A way to calculate the amount of hangers you need is to look at the weight load in a 4ftx8ft area of your ceiling. Drywall comes in these dimensions so it makes the math a bit easier. Now if your current ceiling joists are placed every 16" OC then you will likely need four hangers per 4ft by 8ft area of your ceiling. This means we need to calculate the weight of the wood holding our drywall plus the weight of the drywall to determine the total load on our hangers. Here is the math:

Two sheets of 5/8" Drywall = 140.8Lbs

Two spans of 2x4 at 4' in length = 9lbs

The total load for that 4'x8' area = 149.8lbs 

Now that we have the total load let's divide that by the load per hanger. To figure that out we simply divide the total load by 4 and get 37.5lbs per hanger. 

If we look at the mason industries website we know we will need to buy the Green hangers with a maximum capacity of 60lbs per hanger. 

3) Constructing Your Hanging Ceiling

Building the ceiling is relatively straight forward. You want to hang your clips in the middle of each bay using 1/4" hook bolts. (See the diagram below to get a visual). Next, attach 1/4" hook bolts to your new 2x4 ceiling joist and attach it to the WHR Ceiling Hanger. Add insulation to both the underside of the floor and in the new cavity of the hanging ceiling. Lastly, attach two layers of drywall to the hanging ceiling joists. Finish up by using acoustic caulk where the ceiling meets your walls to make the gap airtight. 

Conclusion

Overall this is a great soundproof ceiling design. The main things to think about are how much ceiling height you are willing to lose with the hangers and how much isolation you need. This design will probably deliver better isolation than the hat channel style design I used in my studio. The downsides are potential added cost and the extra work of calculating the total weight of your ceiling.