Soundproof floor subfloors are designed to reduce noise and provide comfort. Made from polyolefin foam and rubber adhesive, these sheets are effective in reducing both impacts and airborne noise, so people below won't even know you're there. The base layer (with floor covering) must be acoustically tested to show how much impact noise it reduces, as not all underlays are created the same way. The subfloor, the layer between the floor covering and the subfloor, adds value to commercial flooring systems in many ways.
It provides cushioning to reduce foot fatigue, dimensional stability to install the floor over small subsurface imperfections, and in many cases, a high R-value for thermal insulation of the building. High-density materials used in soundproof floor coverings provide a barrier to both airborne and impact sound. This same principle can also be applied to soundproofing a door. Acoustic counterfloors add enough mass and density to prevent sounds of music, television, and conversations from disturbing those below.
If reducing floor noise is important to you, choosing a soundproof floor subfloor is a simple and affordable way to add comfort to your entire home. Now that we have explained the basic aspects of the operation of soundproof floor subfloor products, it's time to decide which one is best for your acoustic treatment application. All subfloors offer some noise reduction advantages, but if there are people living below the floor, choosing a soundproof floor subfloor will help reduce sound transmission. Installing an acoustic subfloor in the busiest rooms can help keep noise away from places where you relax.
Take a look at FloorMuffler's list of acoustic subfloors and find the one that best suits your floor. The acoustic subfloor for vinyl floors must have the necessary dimensional stability to avoid crevices and the thickness necessary to absorb sound. Building codes will require the use of an acoustic subfloor if you are installing a new floor in your home or office. If your floor is likely to receive any type of moisture, it's important that the acoustic base is able to withstand that moisture and resist mold or mildew formation. In other places there are no requirements or local legislation, so it is advisable to have an acoustic base for floors. It can be difficult to find a subfloor that meets the strict acoustic requirements set by a homeowners' association.
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 on hard surface finishes of any type of building. In these situations, it is almost always necessary to use an acoustic floor layer to meet these standards. Recycled rubber subfloors work well with most types of floors, from tile to hardwood, and can even be used as an excellent base for carpets. You don't need to live in a multifamily home to enjoy the performance of a premium acoustic subfloor. You can expect a floor system with a premium acoustic subfloor to achieve an STC rating of more than 60 degrees.
