Floor Joist Decoupler, any good?

[davidcatpi]

Hi.

I've been trying to figure out which floor construction method to use. My current floor is made of concrete and ceramic tiles. I was thinking about using joist decouplers to float the "new subfloor" and then finish it with laminated flooring.



This is how the subfloor would look like. Does anyone know if this is a good approach or should I stick with regular floating laminated floor (using laminated underlay directly over the ceramic tiles) or even hardwood floor?

Thx.

 

[mjbphotos]

From your other post, you are trying to keep inside noise form going out, right?
Note that if you build a joisted floor like that you will need to fill the joist cavities with insulation, or they will act like drums!

I suggest you get a small amount of the foam and laminate flooring, put it down on the tile/concrete, use a friend with a bass guitar and a bass amp placed on it to play while you check elsewhere in the building for the vibrations coming through.

 

[davidcatpi]

Good idea! that will help me reduce expenses if allowed to or just keep the original plan.

The only thing I would need to know is the maximum span for ceiling joists that won't hold anything besides the drywall/gypsum ceiling panels. I tried a website calculator but the results were pretty short, say 6~ feet long 2x4 joists using 16" spacing. I'm probably doing something wrong there.

 

[mjbphotos]

Check your local building codes for joist requirements. I've never heard of anyone using anything less than 2x6 joists on 16" centers and would imagine your maximum span would be 12' with those. I'd use 2x8s as the cost is not that much more.

 

[jhbrandt]

David,

Hang on there! Is your existing concrete floor on the ground?? If so, you don't need all that crap and it will do more damage than good.

IF your concrete floor is on another level, that won't work either. You are better off laying some QT-Sound 'Regupol' - 1/4" to 5/8" thick and then your finished flooring on THAT. This will give you impact isolation. Air-borne sound is another thing. It becomes complicated and very expensive to do a floating floor where it will be worth-while. I would, under NO circumstances, recommend a 'float' like the one you have described.

Cheers,
John