How to Soundproof a Wooden Staircase

How to Soundproof a wooden staircase
A wooden staircase can cause noise problems in various ways: by means of impact noise, dull walking noise (usually bothering the neighbours), or airborne noise, noise travelling through the staircase and audible in the room behind or under the stairs. On this tips page you can read on how to soundproof a wooden staircase and which products to use.

Soundproofing a wooden staircase
You can soundproof a wooden staircase with two different products and methods. The first and best way to soundproof a staircase is to install a 'floating ceiling' underneath the staircase with Akoestikon Acoustic Studs. With the help of these products you can make a decoupled ceiling, or wall, that covers the stairs completely. This often done when a staircase is also a partition wall or dividing wall between two houses. Use this method when you have upstairs neighbours that use the stairs that is also a part of your house.

The second method is ideal for situations with a limited amount of space. It does not insulate impact noise that much, but it will insulate against airborne noise, such as talking people on the stairs, very well. The product to do this with is Isomat KE Fiber, a mass loaded vinyl, we explain this a bit further in the text.

Soundproofing with Akoestikon Acoustic Studs  
The best method is to conceal the steps behind a 'floating ceiling or wall' using the Acoustic Studs. With the help of these decoupling Acoustic Studs you can mount a soundproofing ceiling, as it were, underneath the staircase, which soundproofs both contact- and airborne noise. This 'ceiling' acts as a soundproofing barrier covering the whole staircase.

Akoestikon Acoustic Studs are best described as flexible battens, two MDF slats connected by vibration insulation, that are to be mounted against the back of the staircase. Akoestikon Insulation Wool is a filling to be placed in the cavity in-between the Studs. When this is in place you mount a double layer of plasterboard to the Acoustic Studs forming a ceiling, or wall, depending on the situation (plasterboard and mounting materials to be taken care of by yourself).

Soundproofing a staircase with Isomat KE
If there is not enough space on the back of the stairs for a thick soundproofing product such as Acoustic Studs, these take up at least 90 mm, Isomat KE is an excellent alternative. Isomat sheets are made of recycled tyres and contain both rubber and steel. We recommend to use the heaviest Isomat KE, 14 kg/m², which is about 5 mm thick.

First step is to mount a layer of plasterboard, or plywood, on the back of the staircase. Next step is to take another layer of the same material and apply a sheet of Isomat KE with Stauf glue. Mount this combination with the Isomat layer towards the staircase to the first layer and screw these layers tightly together. By putting Isomat KE in-between two sheets of plasterboard, or plywood, the soundproofing properties are significantly increased. 

Another method to soundproof a stairs is by insulating, or soundproofing, the risers of a wooden staircase. This reduces airborne noise through the thin and light risers of the stairs. To do this is by gluing Isomat KE sheet against the risers and use a thick plywood panel as finishing. You can use screws to fix these layers together. When using a thick plywood or underlayment you also reduce the bending of the steps which in turn reduces the dull sound of footstep on the stairs. Use carpet on a stairs, this also reduces sound problems with staircases. In some cases the stairs is behind a thin and light plasterboard wall, this wall can also resonate when walking the stairs. For this type of wall we also have a step-by-step plan called "Sound Insulation for Light Walls”. This step-by-step plan can also be used for insulating the stair risers.

Questions?
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