Friday, August 2, 2013

Soundproofing a ceiling that has recessed lights

    As promised, I am going to talk about how to deal with recessed (canned) lighting systems when soundproofing a ceiling. First let me start by saying that I always discourage using any kind of canned lighting system when soundproofing a ceiling. Basically canned light are a hole in your ceiling, pretty much like a screen door in a submarine. That being said, there are ways to soundproof a ceiling and still retain your canned lights.
 If you are planning to float your ceiling on sound clips and furring channels, then it would be best to construct drywall boxes and line them with the America mat closed cell foam. These boxes can be made of other materials besides drywall, but they need to completely surround the recessed light can from above,. The 1” America mat will both block and absorb the noise that would normally pass right through the canned light assembly. This is a very effective method for isolating the recessed light assembly so it is unable to transmit sound through the can. The America mat is extremely flame retardant and will resist the heat of the canned light units.
 The box method is very effective but it can be cumbersome when it is installed on top of the floated drywall. There is another effective method that can be used to block the transmission of sound through canned lights and that is the use if the America Mat alone. I would recommend taking a piece of the ½” thick America mat and completely wrapping the canned light in it covering the sides and the back of the light assembly. The newer recessed lights are what we call self ventilating so they vent from the front of the light. Wrapping the entire can so that the foam fits tightly where the can of the lights meets the drywall will prove to be quite effective and blocking the sound in both directions. One quick little tip, take some silicone caulk on your finger and swirl a little bit of the caulk around the circumference of the decorative trim piece that fits onto the surface of the drywall. This will help to better seal the canned light can and will prevent the transmission of sound. Well that’s if for soundproofing recessed lights and a soundproofed ceiling. If you have any questions or comments, please post them on this forum or call one of the  pros at soundproofing America @ (877) 530-0139. This is Dr. Bob, Adios!   


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