DIY thread...

[Jenuall]

I do enjoy going down in the comfort of my own home

[satriales]

I was planning to start laying a patio later, having spent the last few weeks digging up the old one, digging up the same area again of lawn, removing a tree that it turns out had been concreted into next doors patio, and putting up a new fence.

Just realised however that we have a ton of building sand sitting in the garden, instead of sharp sand for the patio mortar mix

Probably going to go ahead anyway as just want it done now but does anyone know if using building sand at 4:1 mix with cement will cause any major problems?

Your slabs will eventually sink if you use building sand. The aggregate isn't coarse enough to give the strength needed.

Thanks. I forgot to update but we stuck with the building sand and cement 4:1 ratio solid base and all seems perfect so far. I did use sharp sand in some parts as we actually ran out of sand and had to buy a few more bags but I don't think it was needed.

The patio is not going to get a huge amount of use and we're only planning to stay here for a couple more years, but I think it will last a lot longer than that.

Not the best pics:

[Green Gecko]

Looks like nice work. If you're not staying forever and someone else has to deal with it, well, strawberry float em.

[No:1 Final Fantasy Fan]

Anyone installed a new ceiling before?
Aesthetically my ceilings need replacing anyway as they have wallpaper on them. However I am looking for soundproofing from the flat above.

I am looking to get one of these ceiling systems installed. Where you remove the ceiling boards, install resilient bars to the original joists to decouple the new ceiling so that vibrations from the joists are not transmitted to the new ceiling boards.
At the same time install rockwool into the cavity to absorb airborn noise.
There are two further ceiling systems available however they eat into your head space and plus I like the sound of this system where it's completely modifies the existing ceiling rather than just stick a new ceiling underneath.

Seems quite a few companies off this service such as https://www.citysoundproofing.co.uk/cei ... fyEALw_wcB

Probably an easy job to do if I buy the materials and hire someone off mybuilder.com

[Rocsteady]

I suppose any job can be easy if you hire someone for it. That'll be costly no?

[Dual]

Anyone installed a new ceiling before?
Aesthetically my ceilings need replacing anyway as they have wallpaper on them. However I am looking for soundproofing from the flat above.

I am looking to get one of these ceiling systems installed. Where you remove the ceiling boards, install resilient bars to the original joists to decouple the new ceiling so that vibrations from the joists are not transmitted to the new ceiling boards.
At the same time install rockwool into the cavity to absorb airborn noise.
There are two further ceiling systems available however they eat into your head space and plus I like the sound of this system where it's completely modifies the existing ceiling rather than just stick a new ceiling underneath.

Seems quite a few companies off this service such as https://www.citysoundproofing.co.uk/cei ... fyEALw_wcB

Probably an easy job to do if I buy the materials and hire someone off mybuilder.com

I would think you'll need permission from the landlord/freeholder before doing that.

[rinks]

I installed this system instead. It basically has the same effect, but is a bit cheaper.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08T1T96RK

[Prototype]

No1FFF

If you live in flats, there is literally nothing you can do about noise. People need to live.

It can be ridiculously annoying and some neighbours do take the piss, but I'd honestly suggest moving before going to that expense as you are still going to hear noise no matter how much you fork out.

[No:1 Final Fantasy Fan]

But this video is so convincing.


And one of the reviews on the website said this:
“The whole transaction has been simple and easy. I fitted the ceiling this weekend and it’s made an instant difference. So much so, that I had to ask the owner of the flat above if he had been using the room above. I will recommend the product to my friends and will use it on other ceilings in my flat. Keep up the good work!”

I would think you'll need permission from the landlord/freeholder before doing that.

The freeholder is the local council and I am the leaseholder. It says in my lease that I am responsible for the ceil and joist above me so i take that as okay. But yes I will inform them anyway. Thanks

[Rocsteady]

You are a marketer's dream

[No:1 Final Fantasy Fan]

You are a marketer's dream

In engineering terms it sounds plausible. Decouple the plasterboard from the joists using the ISO clips which will prevent the transfer of vibrations created by footsteps above from the joists to your ceiling. So basically without it your ceiling is like a drum constantly being bashed when someone above walks etc. If you decouple then the vibrations cannot transfer. Although their floor will still emit vibrations at least this will reduce it by half if my ceiling isn't vibrating. However, I do worry that vibrations may be travelling down the walls too.

[No:1 Final Fantasy Fan]

I installed this system instead. It basically has the same effect, but is a bit cheaper.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08T1T96RK

Tried this but won't work if I need to watch TV etc. I do wear noise cancelling headphones though. But can't do it all the time and also impact noise is too loud for even sony noise-cancelling headphones to block.

[Errkal]

Dunno if you are interested but, I have a bridge you can buy if you are.

[No:1 Final Fantasy Fan]

I suppose any job can be easy if you hire someone for it. That'll be costly no?

I hope it won't cost more than simply replacing a ceiling which I don't think usually costs a lot.
I'm going for a few quotes now so will see.

[Rocsteady]

I suppose any job can be easy if you hire someone for it. That'll be costly no?

I hope it won't cost more than simply replacing a ceiling which I don't think usually costs a lot.
I'm going for a few quotes now so will see.

Let us know, I'm morbidly curious.

[Victor Mildew]

Buy a house you fool.

[No:1 Final Fantasy Fan]

I suppose any job can be easy if you hire someone for it. That'll be costly no?

I hope it won't cost more than simply replacing a ceiling which I don't think usually costs a lot.
I'm going for a few quotes now so will see.

Let us know, I'm morbidly curious.

The first quote I received from a sound proofing company for various ceiling systems
£1900 to rip out old ceiling and replace with a soundproofed one
£1700-800 for an independent ceiling system ie a new ceiling under the existing one taking upto 6inches in space
All for a room that is 3x4m

What do you reckon? I am surprised the option for an additional ceiling is cheaper than the first option. But I guess they don't have to rip anything out just simple install a new ceiling.

[rinks]

Go for it. It probably won't make you happy, but the money is just numbers on a screen, so what have you got to lose?

[Green Gecko]

Demo is generally harder with more to make good if you replace a ceiling for sure.

That's quite a bit of money but you're probably good for it. Personally I'd be conscious of the considerable difference 6inches off ceiling height makes. I'm working in a properly boxed in basement now and while it's a fantastic conversion (that's how you're supposed to do it to eliminate damp completely) if I had the option in a living space I'd keep the room.

[Rocsteady]

Are you renting? Cos no way you can do that without permission.

That's actually cheaper than I thought it would be tbh.