New Studio Construction!

Matt G wrote:

Hi Paul and thank you! So maybe 2x4s between the joist like in this image below?...

It depends on your span... there are span calculators out there but might be best to get advice from a structural engineer, or at least someone who knows what you need in order to stay within your local building regulations. Paul

Wouldn’t an extra set of joist on the beams cause more weight? Or are you suggesting I build new separate beams isolated from the existing beams?

Matt G wrote:

Wouldn’t an extra set of joist on the beams cause more weight? Or are you suggesting I build new separate beams isolated from the existing beams?

Having the beams there complicates things for sure. You’d ideally build it in a way so that the new joists are not resting on or touching the beams and the drywall would be underneath the beams not touching them. What is the height from floor to bottom of the beams? The new ceiling would be attached to new joists that rest in top of your new inner walls framing, so there wouldn’t be any extra weight on the existing joists or beams. But it depends on the available height between the floor and those beams. Paul

Thank you Paul for your insight on this... Greg, as far as isolation goes, do you think Id still be ok suspending my ceiling around the model from the Gervais book? -MG

Greg, as far as isolation goes, do you think Id still be ok suspending my ceiling around the model from the Gervais book?

That system works alright, for sure. I have friends that have done it and they are happy with it. My biggest concern with it is the weight limits of the clips. It'd be hard to hang a lot of needed acoustic treatment devices off of it. I'm sure you can imagine how heavy a good cloud weighs!

Having the beams there complicates things for sure. You’d ideally build it in a way so that the new joists are not resting on or touching the beams and the drywall would be underneath the beams not touching them.

You'd probably want to add a few inches of MDF or OSB under the beam since you wouldn't have a big air gap there, but here's how I'd do it (this is from one place I designed with the same issue you're facing) You're essentially maintaining your visual ceiling height but "boxing in" the main beam, leaving a few inches of gap. Greg

Awesome thanks for this Greg. Just finished up caulking every crack i could find and adding the first layer in the ceiling this weekend!