Acoustic Flooring for New and Older Buildings

Noise between floors is a common issue in both new and older buildings. Footsteps, dropped objects, furniture movement, voices, music and television sound can all travel through the floor structure if there is not enough acoustic separation.

Acoustic flooring can help reduce sound movement between levels in homes, flats, apartments, conversions and commercial buildings. The right solution will depend on the type of noise, the existing floor construction and how the room is being used.

Why Floor Noise Happens

Floors can transfer two main types of noise: impact noise and airborne noise. Impact noise comes from direct contact with the floor, such as footsteps, children playing, dropped items or furniture being moved. Airborne noise includes voices, music, television sound and other sounds travelling through the air before passing through the structure.

Some floor systems are better at dealing with impact noise, while others are designed to improve overall sound insulation between spaces. Choosing the right product starts with understanding which type of noise is the main issue.

Acoustic Flooring in Flats and Apartments

Flats and apartments often need careful floor soundproofing because rooms are stacked directly above one another. Noise from an upstairs flat can quickly become noticeable in the room below, especially where timber floors, hard finishes or lightweight constructions are involved.

Floor soundproofing products can help reduce sound transfer between levels and are often used in flats, apartments, HMOs and converted properties.

Acoustic Flooring in Older Properties

Older buildings can have their own acoustic challenges. Timber joists, floorboards, ceiling voids, gaps around edges and lightweight ceiling constructions can all allow sound to travel between rooms.

In period homes and older conversions, it is important to assess the existing structure before choosing an acoustic floor system. Gaps, voids and flanking paths may need attention as well as the floor finish itself.

Acoustic Flooring in New Buildings

Newer buildings can also experience floor noise problems, particularly where hard floor finishes, lightweight structures or shared living arrangements are involved. A modern property is not automatically protected from impact noise or airborne sound transfer.

Where floor performance needs improving, acoustic underlays, overlays, battens or deck systems may be considered depending on the build-up and available floor height.

Types of Acoustic Flooring Products

There are several types of acoustic flooring product, each suited to different applications. The most suitable option will depend on the existing floor, the finish being installed and the type of noise that needs reducing.

Acoustic underlays for use beneath suitable floor finishes
Acoustic overlays for improving floor build-ups
Acoustic deck systems for higher performance applications
Acoustic battens for separating floor layers
Ancillary products for sealing, edging and installation details

Impact Noise from Footsteps

Footstep noise is one of the most common reasons people look at acoustic flooring. Hard floor finishes can make this worse, especially in flats, upper floors and shared buildings.

Acoustic floor products can help reduce impact noise by adding separation, resilience or mass to the floor build-up, depending on the system used.

Airborne Noise Through Floors

Floors can also allow airborne noise to pass between levels. Voices, television sound and music can travel through gaps, floorboards, voids and ceiling structures.

Where airborne noise is part of the problem, the full floor and ceiling construction may need to be considered. In some cases, ceiling soundproofing below may also be needed.

Ceiling Soundproofing Below

If the noise is being heard from below and the floor above cannot be treated, ceiling soundproofing may be another option. This is common in flats, offices, bedrooms and commercial spaces where access to the floor above is limited.

A suitable ceiling soundproofing system can help reduce sound transfer through the floor and ceiling structure, depending on the existing construction.

Check the Edges and Gaps

Acoustic flooring is not only about the main floor area. Sound can also travel through gaps around skirting boards, pipework, floor edges, service penetrations and junctions with walls.

These weak points should be considered during installation, as poor detailing around the edges can reduce the performance of the floor system.

Will Acoustic Flooring Change the Look of a Room?

Many acoustic flooring products are installed beneath the visible floor finish, so the final appearance of the room can often remain in keeping with the design. The exact build-up will depend on the product, the floor finish and the available floor height.

Where floor levels, thresholds or doors are affected, these details should be checked before installation begins.

Can Acoustic Flooring Fix Uneven Floors?

Some floor systems may help create a more suitable build-up for new floor finishes, but acoustic flooring should not be chosen purely as a way to solve uneven floors. If the existing floor is uneven, damaged or unstable, it should be assessed properly before acoustic products are installed.

The main purpose of acoustic flooring is to reduce noise transfer, not to replace structural repair or subfloor preparation.

Soundproofing vs Sound Absorption

Acoustic flooring is a form of soundproofing because it helps reduce sound passing between spaces. This is different from sound absorption, which controls echo and reverberation inside a room.

If the issue is noise travelling between floors, floor soundproofing will usually be more relevant than wall-mounted absorption products.

Choosing the Right Acoustic Flooring System

The best acoustic flooring system will depend on the building, the existing floor, the type of noise and the final floor finish. A flat with impact noise from above may need a different solution from a new-build apartment, older timber floor or commercial space.

Acoustic Supplies provides floor soundproofing products for a range of domestic, residential and commercial applications, along with wider soundproofing products for walls, ceilings, doors and acoustic weak points.

Get Help with Acoustic Flooring

If noise is travelling through a floor in your home, flat, apartment or building, Acoustic Supplies can help you choose a suitable acoustic flooring approach.

Call Acoustic Supplies on 01204 548400 or contact the team online to discuss your floor soundproofing project.

Acoustic Flooring For Buildings New And Old