The base can make a big difference, especially when installed under solid wood floors. It provides a softer surface and reduces impact when walking, making it a great long-term investment. The thickness of the base layer is also an important factor to consider. Thicker layers will provide better soundproofing than thinner ones, but they can be more expensive and difficult to install.
All of the acoustic bases and sound mats can be placed directly on them. In some cases, it is necessary to use an acoustic floor layer to comply with certain standards. However, in other places there are no requirements or local legislation, so it is useful to have an acoustic base for floors to improve sound reduction qualities. It can be used in conjunction with other acoustic products, such as acoustic overlay plates.
This is because not all lower layers are created the same way, so you can't assume that a 5mm lower layer works the same as another. You could be forgiven for not realizing that there are a lot of sound-insulated floor layer products available. By using acoustic mineral wool, you will get an additional benefit of 10 to 15% in reducing noise sooner. When choosing an acoustic-based layer or soundproofing mat for wooden floors, it is important to consider the level and type of noise. Beware of companies that sell carpet layers with soundproofing qualities citing a figure in dB, as this only shows how much airborne noise is blocked on a concrete floor, of which the base of the carpet accounts for only 5%.
The lower layer (with floor covering) must be acoustically tested to see how much it reduces impact noise. Because of how small and fragile floor tiles can be, you should not place them on soft, padded bases (such as acoustic base layers), as this increases the chance of them cracking and breaking. The lower layers of carpet are also not soundproofed in the same way as those of the base and floor mats. In conclusion, acoustic underlay is worth it if you want to reduce impact noise and extend the lifespan of your flooring. It is important to consider the thickness of the base layer and use it in conjunction with other acoustic products for maximum sound reduction qualities.
Be sure to acoustically test the lower layer (with floor covering) to see how much it reduces impact noise and avoid placing fragile floor tiles on soft, padded bases.