mikeorb wrote:
I am replacing carpet on the 3rd floor of a town home, and at the same
time screwing down the 3/4" plywood to fix a plethora of squeaks and
uneven boards.

I've been considering adding insulation between floors. There are
in-ceiling speakers below and it would be nice to muffle this a bit
more as well as insulate the 2nd floor from 3rd floor sounds more. The
air gap, sheetrock, and pad/carpet does a decent job but a little more
sound insulation would be nice.

My big question is related to fire safety and insulation type. There
are standard light cans in the ceiling and I'm uncertain how these need
to be handled. Could I blow loose fill attic-type insulation in there?
So I would just perhaps to make three or so cutouts in the sub-floor to
do this.

Entire 3rd floor is approx 20x50'. Two rooms, a hallway, and two
bathrooms.

Any advice?

Thanks,
-Mike


You have to keep insulation away from the light cans (like a
metal ring a specific distance from the lights). You need
the light manufactures specs. Blowing insulation is not
going to be very effective, in fact, you would need to tear
up the ceiling to do anything effective.

You best bet is the floor above. Add a layer of sound
deadening cloth (lead material) under the pad, a thicker
pad, or a heavier carpet.