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Soundproofing Flooring

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Stopping sound from entering your property is not always easy to diagnose. Sound travels quickly and manages to make its way into the structure quite easily. It is after all a form of energy, and quite simply, an invisible invader which is difficult to predict and control. However, with soundproofing materials and methods that are most suitable for your particular case, you should be able to significantly reduce sound transmission, and make your home far more peaceful and quieter than before.

 

What Does Soundproofing Mean?

Soundproofing is interjecting sound waves before they reach the location you plan to soundproof. Soundproofing is done by setting up absorbing material or reducing it. Sounds travel through vibrations to stop them in their tracks, you have to put the material in front of it to absorb or break the vibration.

 

The two common types of noise are:

Airborne sound – such as sound from electronics, cookers, cars, and general speech, these become structural airborne when the noise contacts a surface like floorings, walls, and ceilings etc.

Impact sound – such as footfall, footsteps and anything that contact a surface area. Impact noise is generally harder to handle than airborne noise. Such noises involve a collision with the floor creating an impact which can occur through various ways. This is generally accompanied by vibration which arises from the impact and travels through the buildings structure.



 

Carpet & Carpet Underlay

The ideal response to isolating impact and airborne sound through a floor may be as simple as installing a good quality carpet and carpet underlay. It’s not the best soundproofing option but offers a cheap alternative and adds a cushioned layer to decrease the impact of both footfall and airborne sound waves. A good quality carpet and underlay will offer a very good initial step to lessening impact sound directly onto a hard floor and also absorb internal acoustics within the room reducing structural airborne transmission through the floor.

 


How to soundproof concrete floors

Concrete floors have a good level of mass and density. This ensures airborne sounds such as talking, and conversation will be blocked. Impact sound such as footfall and moving objects will transfer through a concrete floor. Using a resilient layer over the concrete floor (Carpets & Underlays) is best to reduce impact sound from transferring through concrete flooring.


Sound Breaking

Squeaky floors occur as homes age and components pull apart. Squeaks can come from gaps and separation between the surface flooring and the subfloor or gaps between the subfloor and the joists. Eliminating floor squeaks is easiest from below if the joists and subfloor can be accessed. First have someone walk the floor to locate the squeak. Once located, decide what problem is causing the noise. If it is a gap between the subfloor and the joists, use a shim shingle and push it between the floor joist and the subflooring. Gently tap the shim home to secure it and eliminate the void causing the squeak.

 

Difference Between Soundproofing and Sound Absorption

When it comes to noise disturbance, most of us just want it to stop. You may not even really care how it stops, as long as it does. Soundproofing is an umbrella term that is typically used to cover all aspects of reducing sound in your home or office. Really, there are two different methods to control sound. There are soundproofing and sound-absorbing.

 

Soundproofing

Soundproofing is when sound is blocked. This may be called sound blocking, as well. In this case, there is a material that is insulated, and it prevents the sound from entering or leaving a specific space. These items are usually heavy and solid. The material must be dense so that it reflects the sound and keeps it all in one space. This may not be your first option when you want to reduce noise. It is a great option under the proper circumstances. Buildings that include studios and cinemas need soundproofing to ensure the sound contained inside does not leave the space.

 

Sound Absorption

Sound absorption is when the material is used on walls, ceilings, and floors to absorb the sound waves that are in the room. This is an ideal method to reduce the amount of echo or noise within a space. The materials that are intended to absorb sound are made from softer materials and work to soak up, or absorb, the sound as it hits the surface. These materials can help remove anything from noise in an office to the echo of a hallway.


Buy your Flooring Soundproofing products with us today at www.insulationbee.co.uk or speak to one of our friendly staff on 02038839057

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