Soundproofing of walls and floors within dwellings If you want to know how your DIY projects could be affected by building and planning regulations, click here to post questions and view answers

[robby4153]

hi all.
converting my loft, house was built in 2000 with attic trusses already in. building control want 10mm ply, then pre-bonded chipboard - foam floating on top of this. i've read the regs, and i interpret them as not being required for a private dwelling?
thanks for any help.
robby

[stoneyboy]

robby4153,
Sound proofing is now required even in domestic dwelling.
The building inspector has the power to make your life difficult - do what he says.
end

[tony.g]

You do have to have a degree of soundproofing of walls and floors within dwellings, though not as much as between dwellings.
For your floor, you would be looking at boarding of mass about 15kg/sq.m., which is something like 22mm t&g chipboard, with 100mm quilt between the joists. What your inspector is suggesting is a bit over the top BUT, as Stonyboy said, it's often not worth arguing the point ovr a relatively small detail, as they can make life difficult in other ways!

[Chras]

A good soundproofing really makes everyone's life more comfortable. You'll only notice it when it's not there, though, so it's hard to appreciate it.

In my opinion, it really is better to have too much than too little soundproofing.

[robby4153]

thanks all.
22mm chip is what i'm putting down, and could get 200mm insulation under that... but maybe just gonna have to do as reqd. just v. expensive...