There is a common misconception about acoustic base layers and what is required of them. Most people assume that an acoustic base will reduce airborne noise, such as voices and music heard across the floor. Therefore, when they go to buy a new carpet, they also ask the carpet supplier for a base that absorbs sound. In this case, the carpet supplier usually offers a base that has been acoustically tested and has a result of, for example, 34 dB, which sounds impressive.
However, what the supplier and the customer don't know is that some lower layers from carpet suppliers have only been tested to reduce impact noise and 34 dB does not mean that they will reduce noise through the floor by that amount. What it really means is that it will only reduce impact noise, such as footsteps, and the lower the test figure, the more efficient the product will be at reducing that type of noise. Usually, it will have no effect on reducing airborne noise, which is what the customer is really looking for. To do this, it is necessary to install heavy materials. Lead, for example, due to its large mass, is an excellent material for blocking sound, but obviously impractical and too expensive to fit on the floor.
Instead, the best results are obtained with a specially designed acoustic base with a mineral-filled acoustic barrier layer and a sound-absorbing foam, with the foam sandwiched between two layers of foam. This product is used instead of the usual base coats mentioned above and no additional base coat is needed. The product to look for is QuietFloor Plus, which is slightly thicker than the best base layers with a thickness of 15 mm. Because this product is heavy, it cannot be supplied in the usual rolls, but in easy-to-handle 1200 x 600 mm panels. QuietFloor Plus will improve the acoustic insulation of most floors by an average of 5 dB, more than 50% of the original noise.
It's easy to install and comes with full installation instructions. There is nothing better than QuietFloor Plus to use as an acoustic base, as it reduces both impact noise and airborne noise more effectively and can be easily installed. For more information on this product, go to the product page on the national website of Sound Service (Oxford) Ltd. Through this QuietFloor Plus link or, alternatively, call Sound Service on 01993 704981. On wooden floors, we recommend a product that is as heavy as possible for good reason. Acoustilay 15 provides excellent comprehensive acoustic insulation in residential properties where more effective airborne noise insulation is required. This combination of acoustic base layers allows for much better results with more soundproofing products slender.
By having several layers of different thicknesses and densities, it can smooth out this drop in performance to achieve the best soundproofing with its acoustic base. In the case of carpets, you need a product that is soft but does not hit the ground, like many of the acoustic base layers on the market. Now that we have explained the basic aspects of how underlayment products work for soundproof floors, it's time to find out which type is best for your acoustic treatment application. All floor coverings offer some advantages in terms of reducing noise, but if you have people living underneath you, choosing a soundproof underfloor will help to reduce sound transmission.
Acoustic counterweights add enough mass and density to prevent the sounds of music, television and conversations from disturbing those below. If the floor is likely to encounter any type of moisture, it is important that the acoustic base is able to withstand that humidity and resist the formation of mold or mildew. If you are installing new floors in your home or office, building codes will require you to use an acoustic underfloor. The MuTeMat 3 is the best acoustic base that helps you meet Part E construction standards without needing to use any other material.
Seal seal against the wall: place the acoustic base at wall height; place a washer on top of the mat and use the inside of the washer to draw a line across the carpet by dragging it across the wall to obtain an exact replica of its shape and curve. Recycled rubber layers work well with most types of floors from tile to hardwood and can even be used as an excellent base for carpets. The science behind acoustic subfloor layers can be complicated but comes down to three main factors that contribute to reducing sound: mass density and air gap. The best acoustic base on its own is MuTeMat 3 which helps reduce both impact and airborne noise.
This combined with MuTeMat range provides highest performing acoustical base combination while keeping build-up as thin as possible.