It is one of the easiest types of sound insulation to install while building the floor. The acoustic base comes from different brands, but most of the time it is a thick, flexible layer of rubber found under the floor, accompanied by a flanking strip around the edge to isolate the floor from the walls. In this blog, we hope to answer some of the questions you may have when choosing the right acoustic-based solution. It is important not to confuse the carpet base with the soundproofing layer.
The base of the rug is adjusted to add comfort to the rugs, allow a more precise fit and help prevent intense wear and tear. Subfloor layers for carpets, while they can claim to offer soundproofing properties, do not offer performance similar to that of specific soundproofing layers. Nor are the lower layers of carpet tested for soundproofing properties in the same way that soundproofing mats and bases do. Beware of the best trick: companies that sell carpet substrates with soundproofing properties indicate a figure in dB.
However, this only shows the amount of airborne noise that is blocked on a concrete floor, of which the lower layer of the carpet only represents a 5%. If you are looking to soundproof under a carpet, then we'll cover the best products on the market. First of all, it is important to consider the gaps between the floorboards and the ceiling. Any noise that enters this sealed chamber will resonate and amplify the noise (we call it the drum effect).
To combat this problem, we recommend filling wooden beams with acoustic mineral wool. You may be wondering if you invest in an acoustic base or soundproof floor mats, since then you will have restrictions on the final floor finish you can use. The short answer is “no”, you will have no restrictions. The soundproofed base layers can be equipped with all types of floor finishes.
The only caveat is that some finishes require a stabilizing layer before of the final floor finish. Next, we indicate which floor finishes this applies to. All of the above acoustic bases and acoustic mats can be easily placed on them directly on them. Reverso (SoundMat, SoundMat 3 plus and SoundMat 2 Plus) will need grab bars around the perimeter.
Of course, the Reverso SoundMat can be used on most final finishes of hardwood floors without the need to add an additional layer. However, in the case of using tiles as the final floor finish, the plate must first be primed and a thicker stabilizing board may be necessary for some types of tiles. If you use SoundMat 3 Plus or SoundMat 2 Plus as an acoustic floor solution, any engineered wood floor 18 mm or thicker can be applied directly to the top. For any thinner hard finish, we recommend using a 6 mm plate to provide a flat, stable base.
All of the above soundproof mats can be used as a soundproof laminate base. The same applies to the soundproofing of vinyl or the padded vinyl base. We always recommend placing a minimum layer of 6 mm of hardwood on the soundproofing base before placing the laminate or vinyl to provide a flat and stable base. Once again, when using the Reverso SoundMat, no additional layer is needed.
The answer is “yes”. They can be used to meet and even exceed building standards as part of a complete system. The Reverso SoundMat and SoundMat 3 Plus models not only meet the construction requirements of Part E, but exceed them. (Provided that they are properly assembled and sealed, as part of a complete system).
All of these Soundproofing Store acoustic flooring products mentioned above are easily installed by an expert DIY enthusiast or craftsman. We have a library of complete data sheets and installation guides for soundproofing layers that can be downloaded. We hope that you now know how to check if the noise you want to soundproof against is aerial or impact noise. We have talked about the importance of knowing if the floor to which the acoustic layer is going to be added is made of wood or concrete and the importance of the final finishes of the floor.
We let our customers do the talking and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Noisestop Acoustic Underlay is a solution for overlapping floors that reduces airborne noise and impacts through wood and concrete floors. A versatile product that is suitable for use in domestic and commercial situations. Easy to install and compatible with a wide range of floor finishes.
Thanks to their large mass, Noisestop base layers guarantee excellent performance against common household noises, such as conversation or television noise. The 9 mm polyethylene foam layer absorbs impact sounds, such as footsteps, general movement or falling objects. Acoustilay is the most versatile and easiest to install acoustic flooring system on the market. It is suitable for use in domestic, commercial and industrial environments and can be placed on a wide range of floor finishes.
Acoustilay is manufactured in 3 different grades. If you choose a floating wood floor, it is essential to install an acoustic base on wooden floors, as it will limit the transmission of noise and the impacts of a room or floor to another. It is better to soundproof the source of the noise, so soundproofing a floor of a floor is more effective than soundproofing the ceiling below. Because of how small and fragile floor tiles can be, you should not place them on soft, padded bases (such as acoustic layers), as this increases the chance of them cracking and breaking.
The Noisestop acoustic base is compatible with most types of floors, including engineered wood, laminate, tile and LVT. By following some of these steps, you'll be sure to get the best level of soundproofing for your room.
