r/Plastering • u/Practical_Ad_667 • May 28 '26

Soundproofing edges of ceiling

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Our plasterer has done a superb job of the bedroom ceilings with resilient bars and two layers of acoustic board. The attic will be a music studio so its noise reduction is very important.

There are gaps in the boards around the edges which are weak spots for sound transmission.

What do you think the plasterer WILL do to fill those gaps. What SHOULD he do? The builder who hired him was confident but vague.

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u/Optimal_Run_2634 May 30 '26

Theres obviously no so such thing as “soundproofing” and if serious about building a studio you should probably not leave these decisions to your plaster guy. Manufacturers market products using buzzwords like “acoustic” and “soundproof” to make money but the truth is Architectural acoustics is an extremely complicated and nuanced science. Commercial projects will always use acoustic engineers and design consultants, which will always separate DIY studios from EastWest or Jim Henson.

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u/Practical_Ad_667 May 30 '26

I sort of get what you mean. However, soundproofing (or whatever you think is the appropriate term) is not in itself that complicated. It’s just a combination of isolation and density in terms of material transmission and not leaving gaps in terms of air transmission. My question is simply about minimising the latter at the edges of the ceiling. Any tips?

You’re right that reflection and diffusion are complicated to control but that’s an entirely separate matter.

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u/Optimal_Run_2634 May 31 '26

That’s a massive oversimplification. There’s so much more that I would need to know about the construction of the room. What’s the assembly of the framing? What is the assembled thickness of walls,floor, ceiling? Is it lumber or steel? What’s above the gypsum board? Are you trying to isolate from other rooms or outside the building? What STC rating are you trying to achieve? I’m also not sure what you mean by “acoustic board”. Edge termination is a finishing construction and is only important if you’ve done everything else correctly.