Acoustic Flooring

The best way to soundproof a floor depends on its construction and the type of noise you need to reduce. Acoustic underlays and floor treatments can help reduce impact noise, while more complete systems combining insulation, acoustic layers and floor panels can target both impact and airborne sound.

Impact noise from footsteps, moving furniture and objects being dropped can be reduced by isolating the finished floor from the structure below. Acoustic underlays, mats and floating floor systems help absorb impact energy and reduce sound transferring through the building.

Impact noise is created when something physically impacts the building structure, such as footsteps on a floor. Airborne noise includes voices, television and music. Different acoustic flooring products target different types of noise, so identifying the main problem helps determine the right solution.

Yes. Timber floors can be upgraded using acoustic insulation between the joists together with acoustic floor treatments above the floorboards. Acoustic floating floor systems are another option where a resilient floor layer is required above the existing structure. The most appropriate system depends on the existing construction, available floor height and the level of sound reduction required.

Yes. Acoustic layers can be installed over concrete floors to reduce impact noise transferring into the structure. The appropriate solution will depend on the floor finish, available build-up height and whether impact or airborne noise needs to be addressed.

Acoustic underlay can be suitable when the main aim is reducing impact noise beneath a floor finish. Where greater sound reduction is required, particularly when both airborne and impact noise are a problem, a more comprehensive acoustic flooring system may be appropriate.