Why is it important to soundproof your floors?
May 2014
Why Soundproof The Floors Of Your Homes?
Noise is considered as one of the most pervasive pollutants that lead to various stress and health related disorders. According to a recent survey by the charity Environment Protection UK, nearly 17% of the participants are distressed by the noise from their neighbours, inside their home.
Hard surfaces such as timber floors partially absorb sound waves and also generate vibrations that transmit sound to the other side. This can result in harmless activities like talking, playing music or using household gadgets becoming a cause of stress and noise pollution, unless the floors are adequately soundproofed.
A good acoustic insulation works by acting as a shock absorber – preventing the transmission of these sounds by deflecting or absorbing the sound waves.
Several types of acoustic insulation material are now available with varying specifications:
Insulation Material Characteristics Uses
Glass Mineral Wool
Mat like material
Long fibre with good tear strength
Non-combustible
Available in rolls and slabs
Suitable for suspended floors-typically with floor boards
Help sound insulation of floors
Rock Mineral Wool
They are short fibres having good compression strength
Non-combustible
Denser than glass mineral wool
Available in slabs, rolls and mattresses
Help in fire protection
Can be used in high-temperatures
Used mainly for insulating floors and walls
Extruded Polystyrene(XPS)
Light-weighted and rigid
Water-resistant
Available in sheets
Can be cut to various shapes and thicknesses
Used in concrete floors
Excellent thermal performance
Extruded Polyethylene(XPE)
Suitable for installing damp-proof membrane
Good acoustic properties
Moisture and compression resistant
Available in rolls
Suitable for solid floors such as concrete, screed and wooden floors
Flexible edge strip in screeded floors
Expanded Polystyrene(EPS)
Available in sheets
Light-weighted
They are white and grey in colour
Used in domestic floor insulation and wall insulation
Polyurethane (PUR) and Polyisocyanurate (PIR)
Faced with aluminium foil
Available in board form and also can be spray applied on site in domestic projects
Better dimensional facility
Suitable for insulating timber frames
Very good insulators
Foil Faced Bubble Wrap
Light-weighted
Thin layer material
Used in heating under-floors
Multi-layered Foils
Light-weighted
Thin layer material
Used to stop heat build up
Ideal for refurbishment purpose
Used in under-floor heating systems below the screed
Recycled Rubber Crumb ( Iso Rubber)
Dense and tough material made from recycled waste rubber
Lays flat
Robust Detail approved product for use on pre-cast concrete floors
Compliant with new approved Document E for different concrete and timber floors
Conformity to the requirements of ‘Building Regulations Document E’
The U.K government has set up the “Building Regulations Document E” to provide a reasonable standard of sound insulation and to bring down the noise pollution between and within all residential buildings
The table below shows the performance standards of floors in dwelling houses.
Noise Type
Separating floors between dwellings and rooms used for residential purpose
Separating floors between rooms created by a change of use
Airborne Sound InsulationdB
(Minimum values) 45 dB 43dB
Impact Sound InsulationdB
(Maximum values) 62dB 64dB
The expected performance standards can be achieved by installing the insulation material underneath the screed as floating constructions. It is advisable to consult a screed/floor specialist to decide on the right type of insulation suited for your floor.