When it comes to choosing new types of flooring, soundproofing is often not the first thing that comes to mind. However, it is important to consider the type of floor with which you are going to use it. Some materials are more compatible with certain types of floors than others, so it's important to select a base. You may not have noticed that there are a lot of subfloor products for sound-insulated floors available.
When buying new floor coverings, especially from one of the major national retailers, subfloor options are likely to be determined by factors other than their soundproofing capacity. The thickness of the base layer is also an important factor to consider. Thicker lower layers will provide better soundproofing than thinner ones. However, they can also be more expensive and difficult to install.
When advertising a carpet base, major retailers usually offer a range of products based primarily on different levels of comfort: the more you pay, the more luxurious the rug will be. Acoustic insulation is often mentioned in higher-quality types of carpet floors, but it's not usually the key factor. In the case of floor coverings, such as laminate or artificial wood, soundproofing is likely to be a more important factor when choosing the base, largely due to the possibility of transmitting impact sound, such as footsteps on hard floors. The best base for vinyl flooring is an acoustic felt, such as the one our product team has purposely designed.
This type of material is perfect for vinyl, as it is thinner and less dense, so it largely recovers the “bounce” you would experience with other materials when using vinyl. Luxury vinyl tiles require a thin undercoat because of the way the tiles are connected and the material from which they are made. Problems can arise when the soil being worked on is not properly prepared, and even using a thick base can be a problem because the LVT expands and contracts. The simple addition of an acoustic base is extremely effective, as it allows you to improve the look and feel of the carpets and, at the same time, add value to the property.
Roberts Super Felt Premium has the acoustic absorption properties you would expect from an acoustic base layer (Delta IIC 2). Because floor tiles can be small and fragile, they should not be placed on soft, padded bases (such as acoustic layers), as this increases the chance of them cracking and breaking. The science behind acoustic layers can be complicated, but the main factors that reduce sound come down to three components: high-mass materials that are effective in reflecting sound; preventing sound waves from being transmitted through material; and hermetically sealing against walls. When investing in an acoustic base or soundproof floor mats, you will not be restricted in terms of final floor finish you can use.
The only caveat is that some finishes require the placement of a plywood base before placing the soundproof floor mats or base. The soundproofed base layers can be equipped with all types of floor finishes. The soundproofed base will prevent other people from hearing you in your room and will help you prevent you from hearing other people outside the room. Two of our base layers provide isolation from drum noise: the 19 dB Quickstep Unisound Combiflor and the 17 dB Quickstep Silent Walk dB.
They can be used with laminate or engineered floors and are ideal for sneaking in for a snack at midnight. In conclusion, underlay is an excellent option for soundproofing your home or office space. It is important to consider factors such as type of flooring, thickness of base layer and compatibility with certain types of floors when selecting an underlay product for soundproofing purposes. Investing in an acoustic base or soundproof floor mats will not restrict your choice in terms of final floor finish you can use.
Leave Reply