soundproofing bathroom!!!

[gramercy]

Bathroom is sited at centre point of upstairs.

It's ok when it's just us, but I can understand that it must be a nightmare for guests - they might as well be going to the loo with a megaphone...

How can I make the bathroom a more "private" place?!

There are tiles (v cold, at that) on the floor but please don't suggest carpet as I think carpet + loos = bleeuuurrrggghh.

Have a small radio in there turned on when you have visitors?

Install a really loud extractor fan that that comes on automatically with the light.

Everyone wees and poos, is this that much of an issue?

the extractor fan is a fine idea as it will keep the room fresh and reduce the humidity

Something else I recommend is changing the door and lining ("frame")

In most modern houses, and older ones unless they were very expensive when built, internal doors are very light and thin, often hollow. They were intended to keep people from looking in mostly. A heavy, solid door in a well-fitting frame makea a big difference. You can get fire doors which are a bit thicker and a lot heavier, and are (usually) solid chipboard with a smooth flat or panelled face which you can paint (veneered ones are also available at extra cost). As they are thicker and heavier than ordinary internal doors it is best to fit a new liner at the same time. The extra weight and solidity will make a big difference to noise transmission. They are normally fitted with a smoke-proof furry pile strip in the edges, like a draught excluder, which stops draughts and also fills the gap round the door where sound can escape. Bathroom doors are usually fitted with a slight gap underneath where fresh air will be drawn in by your extractor fan. Not much sound comes out here.

As these are for internal use, and mostly made of chipboard, they are nowhere near as expensive an a heavy wooden external front door of equivalent solidity. The price varies between about £25 and £60 unless you want a veneer finish or solid wood. It is best to hang them on lift-off fire hinges as the doors are so heavy. The lining can be sealed to the wall using expanding foam, which grips tightly and fills any gaps where sound can escape (it also stops it rattling). The door needs to be a very close fit, and this added to the weight, means it is better fitted by a joiner than a DIYer.

Also, look in the bathroom for any gaps where sound can excape. This is usually around holes for pipes in the wall, ceilings and floor, and you can fill them with expanding foam. If you have cut big holes in the ceiling for those horrible downlighters that used to be trendy, they will be very bad for noise. Next time you are taking the floors up, you can pack fibregass batts between the joists, which will cut down airbourne noise.

Thanks, pigletjohn. I think I'll look into a new door as it is a 1980s house and the doors are accordingly horribly flimsy things.

What about cork floor tiles? Are they sound absorbent? And warmer underfoot?

cork tiles are comfortable to walk on, though they seem to absorb dirt, and will muffle noise a bit. To muffle noise you have to block all gaps, especially under and around the sanitary fittings and their pipes.

p.s. if you can afford it, you might like to replace all the doors in the house, and their linings, with matching fire doors. I am working my way round the house doing that, as they get redecorated. I like the 6-panel doors from Wickes which are made by Premdoor, and as good and as cheap as I have been able to find. Magnet had a similar door on special offer last time I looked.

When replacing doors, you can upgrade the hinges, locks, handles and architraves to something better. Having them on lift off hinges makes it much easier to take off when redecorating (you will be amazed at how heavy they are). My old dad gave himself a hernia struggling with a heavy door.

If you have a 3-storey house, or a loft conversion, or a house in multiple occupation, you will probably be required to fit fire doors, so may as well get nice ones.

I know how you feel, we've got a downstairs loo under the stairs and everyone can here everything when you are sitting in the lounge. Everyone just has to talk more loudly!!!

I run a tap myself when performing. Or do a courtesy flush beforehand to mask the inevitable noise!

We have a modern house and when updating the ensuite put in a double layer around the Walls before tiling.

Slept a night in the room the otherside this summer when we had Aussie guests who would need our room with ensuite. Could hear every pee, sigh and flush :(