How to soundproof the floor — proven methods

Why is soundproofing the floor so important?

Living in a block of flats often requires compromises. The neighbours may decide on long-term renovation or having a party at home. This is associated with a noise nuisance that can effectively spoil our mood. However, sometimes our neighbours can also be heard on a daily basis. It is likely that they, too, may find it difficult to relax when your children are playing or you are noisily getting ready for work in the morning. In multi-storey detached houses, residents also disturb each other by watching films or listening to music loudly.

Careful sound insulation of the floor can be a solution to these problems. This way, you won’t hear what the people living below are doing, nor will you disturb their peace. The floor is usually soundproofed by installing special underlay and mats. They are made of special materials that have noise-reducing properties. Soundproofing capabilities of these materials are determined by two parameters. IS, or Impact Sound, is expressed in decibels. It indicates the effectiveness of a given method in the case of impact sounds. RWS (Reflected Walking Sound), on the other hand, determines the ability to dampen the sound of footsteps. It is expressed as a percentage.

When deciding to soundproof a floor, it is worth paying attention to these two criteria. If the soundproofing is not sufficiently effective, it will not provide you with the results you are looking for and will only generate additional expenses during a renovation. However, if you choose an underlay or a mat from reliable sources, you will no longer have to worry about noise nuisance in your flat.

Soundproofing a flat – how to achieve the best results?

Soundproof flooring significantly improves the comfort of residents. However, in order for it to serve its purpose, it is worth taking care of proper sound insulation. If you want to achieve the desired results, use proven techniques, high-quality materials and, if problems arise, use the services of professionals. What methods of soundproofing the floor will be the most effective?

Soundproofing mat for the floor in a new house

If you are building a house from scratch, soundproofing the floor on each storey should not be a problem. You can plan the whole look of the house carefully and choose the solutions that are most convenient for you. In this case, a soundproofing mat for the floor will work very well. With its help, you can create a so-called floating floor. A mat can also be replaced with soundproofing pads. Both of these materials should be flexible.

The mat or pads are applied before the screed is laid. After the material has been laid in a horizontal and vertical plane as well as protected with a film, concrete is poured on it. It is very important that the concrete does not come into contact with the mat.

If you live in a block of flats or don’t feel like removing a finished screed, you can also soundproof your floor with a mat. Some types of such flexible materials are suitable for use under the floor finishing layer. You can lay them directly under the flooring. You will get the best results if the mat is glued to the screed, however, it is sufficient to lay it without gluing to soundproof the floor. Mats are most often available in the form of sheets that you can easily lay on the floor yourself. You can choose a cork mat, a rubber mat, or a mat using a mix of the two materials.

Acoustic underlay for flooring – what should it be made of?

The most common way to soundproof a floor is to choose underlays for flooring. They not only provide acoustic insulation, but also a number of other benefits – they allow you to increase the effectiveness of underfloor heating or protect the flooring from moisture. With the right choice of underlay, you can achieve soundproofing even at a level of 30%. Flexible material will absorb and dissipate vibrations. For soundproofing your flooring, you can opt for the following types of acoustic underlay:

• Extruded polystyrene (XPS) underlay – this type of soundproofing underlay is a great choice when you want to even out the floor. This is possible due to the different variations in its thickness. For an uneven floor, an underlay with a thickness of 2 to 4 millimetres is recommended. However, an extruded polystyrene underlay will not work well with underfloor heating, as it may reduce its effectiveness. This type of underlay is available in the form of boards, which primarily provide a reduction of footsteps sounds. It is also worth mentioning that it withstands loads well.
• Polyurethane-mineral underlay (PUM) – by choosing this underlay, you will also easily dampen the sound of footsteps. Reflected Walking Sound value can reach up to 28%. The polyurethane-mineral underlay will also be indispensable when installing underfloor heating. It distributes heat very well in the entire room.
• High-density polyethylene (PEHD) underlay – it’s a material which, despite its small thickness, effectively eliminates noise. In addition, it is extremely light and flexible, so you will have no problems handling it and the installation of the flooring will go smoothly. It will not only silence unwanted sounds, but will also protect the flooring against moisture.

In order to make the results of using soundproofing underlays even better, it is worth reaching for an additional vapor barrier foil. You will protect the floor with it and make your work easier.

Soundproofing underlays – not only for the floor

Sound insulation of the floor may not be enough to ensure that your home is perfectly quiet. Soundproofing your entire home will give you the best results. For example, you can opt for a soundproofing underlay for the wall you share with noisy neighbours. If the room is too small for this solution, take advantage of the properties of thin acoustic screens.

When you decide to soundproof the floor, take care of the ceiling as well. Then you won’t hear your neighbours, even if they don’t soundproof their flat. However, if they also decide on sound insulation, the effects will be really satisfactory. The ceiling is usually soundproofed with mineral wool or acoustic screens. You can also install a lighting system with a damping layer.

Ensure your and your neighbours’ comfort by soundproofing the floor!

Whether you choose an acoustic underlay for your flooring or a soundproofing mat, you will significantly improve your comfort while staying at home. You will also ensure that you do not disturb your neighbours. If you live in a block of flats, soundproofing your home is therefore a great way to way to make sure you can get some peaceful rest. For best results, go for tried and tested methods and renowned products. We hope that thanks to our advice you won’t have any problems with it.