All floor underlayments will provide some noise reduction benefits, but if you've got people living below you, choosing a soundproof floor underlayment will help reduce sound transmission.
Acoustic underlay
By adding an extra layer of cushioning between the floor covering and subfloor, it creates an effective sound barrier – and most underlays will reduce impact and airborne noises by 30-40dB (decibels) or more. The best soundproofing underlay for you will depend on your type of flooring.
While soundproofing foam is sometimes used to help with the acoustics within a room by reducing echo and reverberation, it is not effective for soundproofing. It DOES NOT block sound from entering or exiting a space.
The two best underlays on the market are chromium super high density foam underlay, this has a rating of 42db and colours red heavy duty rubber underlay that has a decibel rating of 46db. Most builder grade underlay is usually in the region of 30 to 32 decibels.
Acoustic insulation between floors is quite effective at reducing both airborne and impact noise.
Installing acoustic batts in the walls and between floors is the most effective way to improve sound insulation between rooms. Other tactics include installing underlayment for flooring, sealing up cracks with caulking and hanging acoustic foam panels.
Acoustical underlayments add enough mass and density to keep the sounds of music, television, and conversation from disturbing those downstairs. If floor noise reduction is important to you, choosing a soundproof floor underlayment is a simple and affordable way to add comfort to the whole house.
Acoustic and rubber underlay have the longest lifespan, lasting 10-20 years. Acoustic underlay is commonly installed for commercial offices to reduce noise obstruction. It's important to consult a professional to understand your specific needs and choose the best fit for you.
PU foam underlay
One of the key benefits of PU underlay is that it is made from recycled foam or offcuts, making it a sustainable and environmentally-friendly choice. PU underlay is also lighter and easier to handle than traditional alternatives such as crumb rubber, which is why fitters tend to prefer using it too.
Which material is best for soundproofing? For airborne noise, like talking and music, materials of high mass are best (acoustic plasterboard, mass loaded vinyl and acoustic mineral wool). For impact noise, such as footsteps, vibration dampening materials like rubber crumb and Tecsound work best.
The two concepts sound similar and are closely related, but they're not the same thing. Essentially, soundproofing a room means sound can't effectively penetrate the exterior walls, while sound dampening is the process by which you can reduce the vibration of an object by applying a sound-dampening material over it.
This surprisingly high amount of sound leakage from such small holes and cracks can be readily treated and eliminated with the use of acoustical caulk. Latex-based acoustical caulking provides an effective sound barrier because it remains soft and pliable for its lifespan and will not harden and crack.
Noise Leakage Risk: Improper installation of soundproofing materials can lead to noise leakage or subpar results. Inaccurate measurements, insufficient coverage, or inadequate sealing can compromise the effectiveness of your soundproofing efforts.
Impact Insulation Class (IIC) measures a floor/celling assembly's resistance to the transmission of impact sound, such as foot-fall or a chair dragging on the floor. Flooring systems with premium acoustic underlayment usually have an IIC rating above 70.
But it's important to bear in mind, Cloud 9 underlay is a much cheaper alternative – starting from just £4.82 per m2 (compared to £6.99 per m2 for Plushwalk). Made by award-winning manufacturers, Ball & Young Ltd, it's of good quality and complies with all UK safety standards.
It can significantly cut down on the noise that travels through floors and walls. This is especially useful in apartment buildings or homes with multiple floors where footsteps, moving furniture, and other impact sounds are common. Using acoustic underlay, you can create a quieter living space.
More is not always better, and with underlayment, too much can compromise the integrity of your floor's locking system. Adding additional underlayment under vinyl with an attached pad can create too much cushioning, which causes the floor to come apart through use over time.
The highest level of soundproofing can be achieved by creating a room within a room, separate from the external structure. This may also be called acoustic decoupling. It involves the elimination of vibration transferred between solid materials and through the air.
Soundproofing a room will have the best results if you use a combination of approaches. Strategically placed furniture, wall insulation, noise reduction windows, shutters, rugs, soft furnishings and hedges will all contribute to blocking disruptive noise.
By adding an extra layer of drywall, you can benefit from increased fire resistance, improved soundproofing, and enhanced insulation. The additional thickness creates a more effective sound barrier, reducing noise transmission between rooms or levels.
Acoustic Benefits
One of the most forgotten areas of the home to insulate is between floors. Midfloor insulation can limit the transfer of noise between levels in multi-storey buildings by up to 75%.
Cheap Soundproofing Ideas
By using mass-loaded vinyl between layers of drywall in the ceiling, floor and wall, you can block sound waves from passing through. When you choose Soundproof Cow, you'll have the option to select the thickness of your soundproofing material.