Quieter Suites in Kelowna: Soundproof Insulation Strategies You Can Count On

Secondary suites are common across Kelowna and the Okanagan. They’re great for income, but shared walls and ceilings often carry everyday noise between units. The City of Kelowna requires sound-absorbing material in the joists and studs that separate a suite from the principal dwelling, so meaningful sound control means opening those assemblies, installing the right insulation, then sealing and finishing the cavity.

This guide focuses on the insulation solutions we install to reduce unwanted sound transfer in wood-frame homes.

Ceiling between units: where insulation helps most

Upstairs/downstairs sound is the number-one complaint. If not already, the ceiling will need to be opened to properly install insulation to reduce ambient noise between units.

Recommended Insulation

• Mineral wool batts (Rockwool): high density absorbs speech and day-to-day noise effectively. Friction-fit, no compression, full cavity coverage. Listed on our Wall Insulation service as a “Rockwool sound dampening” option.
  
  

Expectations: insulation inside the ceiling reduces conversational and general TV/kitchen noise. Footfall and bass are structure-borne; insulation softens them but won’t eliminate them.

Shared party walls: fill it right, finish it tight

Bedrooms, offices, and living rooms that back onto each other benefit from a dense, uniform fill.

Recommended options

• Mineral wool batts (Rockwool): sized to the cavity, cut around wiring and plumbing without crushing. This is our go-to for sound dampening in walls.
  
  

Details that matter

• Full fill with no voids.
  
  
• Perimeter sealing at plates and penetrations.
  
  
• Consistent fit around services so you don’t create flanking gaps.
  
  

Utility and service areas inside the suite envelope

Noise “hot spots” are predictable: laundry, mechanical rooms, stair cases, and bulkheads. When those areas are open, line the surrounding stud or joist bays with:

• Mineral wool batts for durable, high-density absorption.
  
  

For unfinished or exposed ceilings (for example, in select utility zones), thermal acoustic spray-on can be a fit because it covers complex surfaces quickly and can be left exposed where design allows. It’s widely used in multi-unit and commercial settings and can be applied in retrofit contexts.

Where spray foam fits in an insulation plan

Closed-cell spray foam is primarily chosen for air sealing and thermal performance, which indirectly helps reduce some airborne sound transfer by tightening the assembly. It’s not a cure-all for noise by itself, but it’s a strong option when you need a combined insulation and air/vapour solution during an open-wall renovation.

Materials at a glance

What improvement looks like

Owners typically report:

• Lower day-to-day conversation bleed
  
  
• Softer TV and kitchen noise between levels
  
  
• Less echo in stair and service areas
  
  

Insulation upgrades are the foundation. If you later choose additional measures, they stack on top of the work you’ve already done inside the assembly.

Ready for a plan and quote?

We serve Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, and the Okanagan Valley. If you’re tackling sound control between suites, we’ll specify the right insulation approach for each area and provide a clear scope and schedule.

Request your Suite Sound Insulation Assessment →