When it comes to soundproofing a floor, there are several advantages to be gained from installing an acoustic underlay. This type of subfloor can reduce impact noise, prevent the transmission of noise to lower spaces, and stop the passage of heat and air conditioning through floors and ceilings. To achieve these results, it is important to understand the difference between a carpet base and a soundproof base. Carpet bases are designed to add comfort to carpets, allow for a more precise fit, and protect against heavy wear.
While they may offer some soundproofing properties, they are not tested to the same level as soundproof mats and base layers. Companies that sell carpet layers with sound-insulating properties will often provide a dB figure, but this only shows how much airborne noise is blocked on a concrete floor - with the bottom layer of carpet representing only 5%. When it comes to soundproofing under a carpet, there are several products on the market that can help. An acoustic subfloor for vinyl floors must have the necessary dimensional stability to avoid crevices and the thickness necessary to absorb sound.
In these situations, it is almost always necessary to use an acoustic floor base to meet these standards. A carpet can then be placed directly on top of all the acoustic layers and acoustic mats. This affordable acoustic floor base made from recycled rubber is easily installed with DA-5 adhesive to reduce noise caused by vibration between floor and ceiling assemblies. It is important to note that because of how small and fragile floor tiles can be, they should not be placed on soft, padded bases (such as acoustic bases), as this increases the chance of them cracking and breaking. An acoustic subfloor made of cork, rubber or foam can further dampen noise and prevent sound transmission. In some places there are no requirements or local legislation when it comes to soundproofing floors, so it is beneficial to have an acoustic base regardless.
This acoustic floor base stands out for reducing the vibrational noise produced by mechanical sources between floor and ceiling assemblies, such as steps, gym equipment, laundry machines, speakers, printers and more. The only function of the acoustic floor base is to reduce the amount of impact noise that travels through the floor due to falling objects, footsteps and furniture movement in the hard surface finishes of any type of building. You can work with your flooring contractor to choose the acoustic paving system that best meets your needs - including the floor itself, its subfloor and installation accessories. You may be wondering if investing in an acoustic base or soundproof mats will limit you in terms of the final floor finish you can use. The base layer (with floor covering) must be acoustically tested to show how much impact noise it reduces. We have discussed the importance of knowing whether the floor on which the acoustic base will be added is made of wood or concrete, as well as the importance of considering the final finishes of the floor.
