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!
PH (877) 530-0139
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