Soundproofing materials for floors. Subtleties of soundproofing and soundproofing of the floor. Methods for performing sound insulation

The problem of noise in apartments of multi-storey buildings has probably existed since the day they appeared. The excess of irritating sounds is especially noticeable in panel buildings. The fact is that reinforced concrete wall slabs, as well as floor slabs, do not have any significant soundproofing qualities. In addition, they themselves become conductors of impact noise due to the reinforcing metal elements located inside the slabs, as well as air voids.

Therefore, many apartment owners are trying to find ways to protect their homes from external “sound aggression”. But this task is not as simple as it might seem initially. For example, the flooring from the neighbors below must be done in a comprehensive manner. That is, the installation of the insulating material is carried out not only on its surface, but also on the walls, or at least on their lower part.

Features of noise in a high-rise building

To choose the right sound insulation option, you need to consider some nuances:

• Noises can be airborne or impact. The nature of their distribution varies, and this also affects the way to combat them.
• The slab covering the floors has two “owners” - it is the ceiling for the lower apartment and the floor for the upper apartment. Accordingly, impact and airborne noise are transmitted through the ceiling in both directions.

• Hollow core reinforced concrete floor slabs 220 mm thick, manufactured in industrial conditions, must reduce external airborne noise to 52 dB, with permissible standards of 60 dB. The decrease in the sound insulation qualities of floor slabs is explained by wear and tear of structures, redevelopment of premises or illiterate major repairs, and the formation of gaps at the joints of slabs.
• Insulation from airborne noise in both old and new houses may be reduced due to poorly sealed openings between floors by builders, intended for the passage of communication risers.

It is much more difficult to isolate an apartment from impact noise than from airborne noise. And this is due not only to the fact that concrete floors are unable to drown it out completely, but also to the following points:

• Interfloor ceilings are rigidly connected to wall slabs or brickwork. Therefore, they become conductors for the propagation of impact noise over all surfaces of the building.
• The metal reinforcing frame located inside the slabs also conducts impact sounds well.
• Ceramic tiles, as well as porcelain tiles laid on floor slabs, increase the noise level to 74 dB, instead of the required 60 dB.

This diagram shows the transmission of airborne and impact noise through the building structures of an apartment building.

Airborne noise(item 1), the source of which is in no way connected with building structures. This could be a loud TV or stereo, loud conversations or screams, children crying, etc. Such noise can also spread through partitions, which become a kind of membrane that transmits sound vibrations.

Impact noises associated with impacts on building structures. These are steps, running, jumping, falling objects, knocking with a hammer or other tools when carrying out repairs or other work. Impact noise can be propagated directly (item 2), that is, by the same creation sound waves through vibrations of partitions, or indirectly through the building structures themselves. Moreover, their distribution can occur not only in adjacent rooms (position 3), but also in separate ones, and over a very significant distance (position 4).

Structural noise - arising from vibration effects during the operation of technological equipment installed in the house (item 5). These could be elevator drives, centralized ventilation, pumping equipment, etc. The ways of their distribution can also be direct or indirect. Such noises can also travel through building structures over very long distances.

Our article is about floor soundproofing. And here we see several ways of creating barriers against the spread of airborne and impact noise.

• Laying soundproofing materials under a floating screed that is not connected to either the floor slab or wall structures.
• Construction of the floor on joists with a soundproofing layer laid between them.
• Arrangement of dry floating screed.

Commonly used soundproofing materials

Nowadays you can find on sale various types soundproofing materials made on different bases. Therefore, they may have different levels of capabilities.

Name of soundproofing material	Manufacturing form	Noise reduction level (air/impact), dB	Material rating
"Rock Wool Acoustic Butts"	slabs	60/38	9.5
"Tecsound"	rolls, slabs	60/28	9.4
"ThermoSoundIsol Light"	mats	60/28	9.3
"Zvukoizol"	roll	28/23	9.2
"Shumanet ECO"	slabs	35	9
"ZIPS"	sandwich panels	11÷13	8.5
"SoundGuard"	slabs	7÷10	8.2

"RockWool Acoustic Butts"

Perhaps the most popular among users are the “Acoustic Butts” slabs from the RockWool company, which has been developing and producing materials based on basalt fiber for thermal and sound insulation for more than seventy years.

TO positive qualities “RockWool Acoustic Butts” include the following material parameters:

• High level of sound insulation, which will depend on the thickness of the mats. To insulate floors on joists, it is worth using slabs with a thickness of at least 80÷100 mm.
• Low thermal conductivity and almost zero flammability.
• Biological stability - the material does not rot and does not become a breeding ground for microflora.
• Moisture resistance and vapor permeability.
• Durability in use.
• Easy to install.
• The material is certified according to EU and Russian standards.

TO shortcomings This material can be attributed to its rather high cost. In addition, there is a very high probability of running into a fake. Therefore, it is recommended to buy this material in specialized stores, where it is possible to document the originality of the product.

"Tecsound"

"Tecsound" was developed by technologists of the Spanish company "Texsa". There it began to be produced on an industrial scale. The raw material for this sound insulator is the mineral aragonite, large deposit which is located in this country. Environmentally friendly polymers act as binders for the mineral component.

Today, several types of Tecsound are produced, which include other components. Finished materials differ in structure and purpose:

Appearance of the material	Brief description
	"Tecsound FT" - slabs consisting of porous felt and a composite membrane. They are designed to insulate walls, ceilings and roofs from airborne noise.
	“Tecsound 2FT” and “Tecsound 2FT-80” are slabs and sheets in rolls, consisting of two layers of felt and a composite polymer layer between them. Used to insulate walls, ceilings and floors.
	"Tecsound FT-55 AL" - felt boards with synthetic and aluminum coating. The material can be used for internal insulation of any surfaces.
	"Tecsound FT-75" - slabs consisting of felt and a thick composite-mineral layer covered with a polymer membrane. The material is used for any internal surfaces.
	"Tecsound S" is a self-adhesive version of the insulating material. It is used for sound and vibration insulation and effectively dampens the propagation of low-frequency vibrations.
	"Tecsound SY 100" is an elastic roll material with high strength. The insulator is made of mineral composite material, coated with a polymer and aluminum layer, and has a self-adhesive base. The material is used to protect against sound and vibration insulation of any surfaces.
	"Tecsound 70" is a mineral soundproofing membrane that can provide the required level of silence in a living space. The material is fixed to the walls and ceiling, and also laid on floors under screed or floors on joists.

Despite the appearance various options This material, the original insulator, made on a composite mineral basis, is most popular among consumers.

Advantages "Tecsound" can be considered the following:

• A high level of sound absorption, that is, the material protects the room from both airborne and impact noise.
• Elasticity of the material, maintained at temperatures down to -20 degrees.
• The small thickness of the canvas allows you to save as much as possible the useful volume of the insulated room.
• The versatility of Tecsound - it can be attached to all surfaces.
• Resistant to moisture and biological damage.
• This is an environmentally friendly material that does not contain toxic components.
• The insulator is a low-flammable, self-extinguishing material.
• Tecsound is certified according to EU and Russian standards.

To the disadvantages Such sound insulation includes the following points:

• Very significant weight of the canvas. To cope with the installation of such covering on the ceiling and walls, you will definitely need an assistant.
• The material cannot be called publicly available in terms of cost.
• Sound insulation will definitely require covering with decorative material.

"ThermoSoundIsol Light"

"ThermoZvukoIzol Light" is a multifunctional and universal insulating material that has a high level of noise absorption. The mats have a size of 10000x1500x10 mm and are made of fiberglass canvas, which is laid in several layers pressed together. Fiberglass is sealed into a protective shell made of non-woven material - spunbond.

“ThermoZvukoIzol Light” can be used for laying on floors under “wet” concrete and dry screed, under floors on joists. Can be used over suspended ceilings, fixed to the walls for further covering.

TO merits This soundproofing material has the following qualities:

• High level of noise absorption.
• Ecological cleanliness. The material does not contain formaldehyde and phenols, which are often used as a binder in other insulators.
• Low thermal conductivity allows the material to be used not only as noise protection, but also for thermal insulation of surfaces.
• The elasticity of the material increases the ease of working with it.
• The material is not susceptible to decomposition and is durable.
• From a fire safety standpoint, it is classified as self-extinguishing with moderate smoke production.

TO shortcomings This sound insulator includes the following:

• The considerable weight of the material makes the work somewhat more difficult.
• Quite a high cost.
• High hygroscopicity. What limits use in high humidity conditions?

"Zvukoizol"

This is a roll bitumen-polymer membrane-type sound insulation. By the way, it also has thermal insulation and waterproofing properties. The material is used to insulate floors, including when installing a “warm floor” system, ceilings and walls. There are no restrictions on the level of room humidity.

TO merits This material includes the following qualities:

• Good protection against airborne and impact noise.
• Resistance to moisture and biological damage.
• Long service life.
• Low thermal conductivity.
• Resistance to low and high temperatures(operational range - from -40 to +80 degrees).
• The material is low flammable.
• Quite affordable price.

Flaws "Soundproof":

• Quite a hefty weight.
• Installation is carried out only by adhesive method.
• Not available in all regions of the Russian Federation.
• The proper insulation effect can be achieved by using “Zvukoizol” in combination with other materials that have sound-proofing qualities.

"Shumanet ECO"

"Shumanet ECO" are glass staple fiber slabs designed for sound insulation of walls, ceilings, and floors on joists.

TO merits This material includes the following characteristics:

• High level of sound absorption of impact and airborne noise.
• Resistance to biological damage.
• Long service life.
• Vapor permeability.
• Low thermal conductivity.
• Completely non-flammable.
• Environmentally friendly material. In the production of ECO boards, staple fiberglass is used, and acrylic resins are used as a binder.
• Easy to install.
• Quite affordable price.
• The material is certified in the Russian Federation.

Schumanet also has certain flaws :

• Additional installation work is required to use these mats. They must be placed between the guides of the frame structure or between the joists.
• Installation of the material can only be done at positive temperatures.
• It is important to observe storage conditions - dry and dark rooms. If these requirements are violated, the quality of the material is significantly reduced.

ZIPS panels

"ZIPS" are multilayer panels produced by Acoustic Group. They have been produced since the 90s of the last century. The composition of the slabs may vary depending on the purpose of the products.

For example, for flooring, gypsum-fiber tongue-and-groove sheets are used as a base in slabs, and plasterboard for walls and ceilings. A layer of basalt or fiberglass wool is fixed to the base.

TO positive qualities This material includes the following:

• Low thermal conductivity.
• Long service life.
• Resistance to biological damage.
• The design is very convenient for installation.
• No gaps between individual flooring elements due to interlocking lamellas.

Flaws insulating material are expressed as follows:

• Content of phenol-formaldehyde resins in mineral wool layers.
• Judging by the reviews, the level of sound insulation still leaves much to be desired.
• When installing slabs on walls, they can even resonate under the influence of external and internal low-frequency noise.

SoundGuard plates

These soundproofing panels differ from other analogues in the materials of manufacture and the method of execution. installation work. The structure of the slabs includes the following materials:

- drywall;

— quartz filler;

- a layer of interwoven cellulose fibers.

From positive characteristics These products can be distinguished:

• Good sound insulation parameters.
• The slabs belong to the moderate flammability group.
• Contains absolutely no toxic substances.
• Used for insulating floor and wall structures.
• Low thermal conductivity.
• Possible different ways installation - frame, glue or fastening to the wall using mushroom dowels.
• Compliance with safety standards established in the Russian Federation.

TO cons The material has the following characteristic features:

• Low moisture resistance, so the boards can only be used in dry rooms.
• High cost.
• The need to process the edge after cutting the slab. The cut is protected using masking tape.
• Panels may resonate when exposed to low frequency noise. Therefore, they are recommended to be used in combination with other sound insulators.

Popular materials are discussed in general terms. Now it’s worth understanding how they are used in practice.

Effective sound insulation against noise coming from below

Before choosing a soundproofing material and a scheme for its application, you need to decide what noise you want to protect your apartment or specific room from. It is not difficult to solve the problem of airborne noise - voices, barking of a neighbor's dog, low volume music. It is more difficult to drown out shock sounds - low frequencies of music, the sound of footsteps, falling or moving objects, the work of construction tools, etc.

Impact noise is transmitted throughout all building structures. And you can fully protect a room from them only by completely isolating it, from the floor to

"Floating" screed

A suitable solution for soundproofing a floor would be a “floating” screed. However, when choosing this option, it is necessary to take into account that the floors will rise by 100÷150 mm.

In multi-storey buildings you can find an interfloor ceiling, which is a reinforced concrete structure, or a boardwalk along wooden beams. The second option is found only in houses of old buildings. The methods of soundproofing a concrete slab and a wooden floor differ. But the general thing will be that you will have to dismantle the old covering and install a soundproofing structure.

The transmission of impact sounds is transmitted through all structural elements, since they are in close contact with each other. The “floating” screed is not connected to the walls of the room, and is also separated from the interfloor slab by soundproofing material.

A “floating” screed can be either a “wet” screed. In the first case, the backfill material itself is an excellent sound insulator. In the second option main role performs a layer capable of absorbing noise vibrations.

Thus, the “floating” screed completely interrupts the “broadcast” of impact noise coming from the lower apartment, since it is a vibration-decoupled structure. If it is necessary to create complete silence in the room, then soundproofing material should be fixed to the walls and ceiling, even if the apartment is on the top floor.

The “floating” screed consists of several layers and looks like this:

1. Leveled surface for further decorative floor covering.
2. “Floating” screed with a thickness of 50 millimeters or more.
3. Soundproofing material. it is also laid along the line where the screed meets the wall
4. Floor slab.

This is the general design of a floating floor design. But depending on the materials chosen, other elements may be included.

When starting the process of creating such a soundproofing structure, the first step is to clear the base. To do this, the following actions are carried out:

• The decorative floor covering is removed.
• If the floor is wooden and built on joists, you will have to dismantle the boardwalk and joists.
• If the base is concrete, then it must be checked for horizontalness and for the presence of cracks and potholes. These defects can be conductors of sounds from the lower apartment.
• If the base has numerous flaws, it will have to be repaired. Otherwise, the desired effect will not be achieved.

• If the concrete base is smooth and strong, but has small cracks, they need to be widened and filled with a sealant designed for vibration isolation.

• Next, it is necessary to check the junction line between the wall and the floor, as well as the channels through which heating pipes and other utilities pass. Cracks may form in these areas or even leave through holes through which sound from the lower floor can freely penetrate into the room. It is necessary to check the corners of the room with special care, since most often the joints there are sealed with the least quality. Cracks and holes are also expanded and filled with vibration sealant.
• If the base is wooden, then all joints and cracks between the boards must also be well sealed. Sheets of plywood are laid on top of the repaired base. A vibration tape should be immediately laid between the plywood sheets and the wall, which will not only separate the sheets from the wall, creating a technological gap, but will also absorb sound vibrations.

• Technological gaps between plywood sheets, which should be 3÷5 mm, are also filled with vibration sealant.
• After the base has been repaired, it must be cleaned of dust using a vacuum cleaner. Then it must be primed with a penetrating compound to prevent moisture from penetrating from below. You can additionally cover it with a layer of polyethylene film 150÷200 microns thick.

Now you can move on to creating a “floating” screed. This can be done like this:

Illustration	Brief description of the operations performed
	If sound insulation will be carried out using mineral wool slabs, for example, “Shumanet ECO” or “RockWool Acoustic Butts”, then first mats cut into strips are installed along the walls along the entire perimeter of the room. Their height should be 150÷200 mm greater than the thickness of the future screed. Then the slabs themselves are laid tightly on the surface of the base, pressing the standing pieces of material against the wall. The result should be a coating without any cracks, with a very tight fit of the mats to each other. The elasticity and springy qualities of mineral wool make it possible to achieve this.
	Instead of mineral wool, you can use two materials laid one on top of the other for sound insulation. First, “ThermoZvukoIzol Light” is laid, extending onto the walls by 100÷150 mm. And then Tecsound is laid across the canvases of the first layer, also extending onto the walls.
	Canvases of both one and the other material are laid end-to-end. The seams between them are sealed with moisture-resistant reinforced construction tape.
	The next step is to cover the soundproofing layer with a thick polyethylene film, which should extend onto the walls 100÷150 mm above the installed frame of slab strips. Adjacent film sheets are overlapped by 150÷200 mm and glued together with moisture-resistant tape. This coating should be sealed over the entire area of ​​the screed being installed.
	A reinforcing mesh is placed on top of the film on the supplies. Then, if necessary (and this is most often the case), a beacon system is installed.
	The next step is preparing and pouring the solution. It can be made independently, according to the “classical” scheme, or mixed from ready-made dry construction mixtures, which is certainly more convenient. Filling and leveling work is usually carried out from the far corner with a gradual direction towards the exit from the room.
	Leveling of the poured solution is carried out using the rule according to the installed beacons. If self-leveling mixtures are used, then the distribution technology may differ. But you can read about this separately on the pages of our portal - there are enough articles about pouring any type of screed there.
	If you plan to lay a dry screed instead of a regular concrete screed, it can also be poured onto soundproofing material, or directly onto the base covered with plastic film. Stationary beacons are not used with this approach. When leveling the mixture, temporary guides are installed according to the level. These can be galvanized profiles for drywall or even flat bars.
	The leveling of the dry mixture, consisting of fine expanded clay, which itself is a good sound insulator, is carried out divided into zones. After leveling a certain area, the guides - beacons are removed.
	On top of the leveled areas of the dry mixture, floor elements are immediately laid - gypsum fiber boards with special connecting lamellas. The slabs must also be separated from the wall by a layer of elastic material so as not to absorb vibration and shock vibrations from them.
	The slabs are first glued together with polymer glue (usually PVA is used), which is applied to their locking lamellas. Then they are twisted with self-tapping screws along the lines of the locks. The screw caps are recessed into the surface of the plates by approximately 0.5÷1.0 mm.

The thickness of both one and the other type of screed must be at least 50 mm.

If a “floating” concrete screed is installed, then after it dries, you can install a decorative floor covering, as on a regular concrete floor. Here it is necessary to clarify that the concrete screed will finally be ready for use in 28–30 days.

When installing a dry screed, the floor covering is laid on top of the laid and fastened slabs. The advantage of this option is that the next day after installation is completed, you can begin laying the decorative coating.

If, as flooring if a hard version is selected (for example, solid board, laminate, parquet or), then it must also be separated from the wall by a soundproofing layer. An underlay must be laid on the screed or on the laid slabs under these floor coverings.

"ThermoZvukoIzol Light" or "Tecsound" can be used both in combination and separately.

Due to their elasticity, these materials can be pulled up to walls by 120÷150 mm. This creates a kind of edges. The flooring, which extends onto the walls, forms a sealed “container” for subsequent pouring or backfilling of the screed.

Further work can be carried out according to the above scheme. Or an additional soundproofing layer may be included in the design. For example, on top of a thin sheet material, which perfectly dampens vibration vibrations, impact noise and low-frequency sound noise, the same mineral wool can be laid. Well, then all this is closed with the selected screed option.

Video: Soundproofing a floor using a PS membrane and then pouring a “floating” screed.

Soundproofing the floor with Tecsound

If the ceilings are low and therefore do not allow raising the floors by 50÷70 mm, then only Tecsound can be used for sound insulation. Its installation under hard flooring is carried out in the following order:

• A foamed polyethylene backing 3÷5 mm thick is laid on a well-cleaned screed. Instead of polyethylene, polyester acoustic felt can be used, which will significantly enhance the sound insulation effect.

It should be noted that polyethylene foam sheets, compared to felt, have a lower ability to become a barrier to impact noise. However, polyethylene will make an excellent substrate to separate the Tecsound from the concrete base.

• Tecsound sheets are laid end-to-end on the substrate. There should not be even a minimal gap between them, as it can become a “bridge” for sound penetration. When choosing this material for sound insulation, you must take into account that its weight is 1900 kg/m³ - this means that 1 m², having a thickness of 3.7 mm, weighs 7 kg - a lot.. Such sound insulation can reduce the level of impact noise by 50 dB .

• Rigid decorative coverings, such as laminate or , are laid directly on Tecsound. In this combination it serves as a good underlay for flooring. Without, of course, losing its excellent soundproofing qualities

Sound insulation of the floor with a structure on joists

Another option for soundproofing a room is to install the floor structure on joists. However, you need to know that in such options there are some differences between simply thermal insulation and sound insulation. Although, in essence, a soundproofing system is also an effective insulating layer.

In order for the effectiveness of noise insulation to be maximum, you will need a vibration-proofing tape, which will separate the entire structure from the base.

Floors on joists for sound insulation can be installed on either a concrete or wooden base.

The installation work of such a structure takes place in the following order:

Illustration	Brief description of the operation performed
	The first step is surface preparation. This process is similar to the option when creating a screed: - checking the base for cracks at the joints of the floor and walls, as well as through holes around utilities. If any are found, cracks and holes must be sealed with vibration-proof sealant.
	Next, markings are carried out in order to align the logs in a horizontal plane at the desired height. This process is best carried out using a laser level, although if you don’t have one, you can get by with a water level with no less accuracy.
	To ensure that the structure is not connected to the base and walls, when arranging soundproofing for the floor, it is best to choose the frame option. To do this, first a frame is mounted around the perimeter of the room from timber. It is set along a line defined on the wall when marking. The width of the timber for assembling the frame must correspond not only to the height of the line marked on the wall, but also to the thickness of the selected soundproofing layer.
	Experts recommend installing mats in frame cells in two layers, say 50 mm each. If the height of the ceiling of the room does not allow raising the floors to a significant height, then it is permissible to use two different materials in combination. For example, before laying the frame, lay 10 mm thick Tecsound on the base, and between the joists - one layer of mineral wool material of the required thickness, so that it completely, very tightly fills the space between the base and the future coating.
	The frame beam is not secured to the base or walls. That is, the structure should not come into contact with the surfaces of the building. The distance between the frame beam and the wall should be 80÷100 mm, since noise insulation material will be installed between them.
	To prevent direct contact of the frame with the surface of the base, a vibration-proofing tape or other sound-proofing material of suitable thickness is secured to each beam on its lower side using staples. Strips of Tecsound or acoustic felt may also work.
	The next step is to mark the frame frame for installing joists. They should be located at a distance of 590 from each other in the light (you can simply choose an interaxial pitch of 600 mm). This distance will correspond to the width of the mineral wool insulation mats, which should fit tightly and spacelessly between the frame elements. The logs can be fixed to the frame using powerful metal corners or in a half-wood groove manner.
	The next step is to lay wide strips of soundproofing material between the wall and the frame beam. They can be cut from mineral wool mats. After this, the slabs of soundproofing material are placed tightly between the joists.
	Next, it is recommended to cover the soundproofing layer with a vapor-permeable waterproofing membrane. This material will not allow mineral wool fibers to penetrate into the room, will allow water vapor to escape freely from below, but will not allow you to get wet if water is accidentally spilled on the floor. Some masters refuse this layer, considering it optional. However, it is provided by proven technology.
	The next step is to lay plywood sheets on the frame structure. The coating can be laid in one or two layers. In total, its thickness should reach 16÷20 mm. A vibration-proofing tape must be laid between the plywood layer and the wall. It will not only separate the coating from the wall, but will also keep the coating intact when the temperature rises, while becoming a compensatory gasket when the material expands.
	Between sheets of plywood it is also necessary to maintain gaps of 3÷5 mm wide. The sheets are fixed to the joists and frame frame using self-tapping screws, screwed in increments of 200÷250 mm. Each row of plywood is laid with a shift in the joining lines. If two layers of plywood are installed, then the joints of the sheets of the top layer should not coincide with the joints of the lower one. It is recommended to fill the joining gaps with vibration sealant.

A decorative floor covering can be laid on top of the fixed plywood flooring - it can be laminate, linoleum, parquet board or carpet.

* * * * * * *

When isolating a room from noisy lower neighbors, it is necessary to remember that the main thing in this process, after choosing a suitable material, is the complete separation of the structure being created from the main walls and ceilings. However, as mentioned above, in order to achieve the truly expected silence in the room, you will have to work not only with the floor, but also with the walls and ceiling.

Residents of apartment buildings are well aware of the problem of constant noise coming from adjacent apartments. But this is only one side of the problem, because just as the neighbors above you annoy you, you can disturb the peace of those who live below you. This issue is especially acute for those who have small children.

Soundproofing floors will help solve this problem. It will reduce the level of extraneous noise in the apartment, and in the winter months the rooms will be much warmer. This way you will please not only yourself, but also your neighbors below.

It is important to understand that noise that interferes with our comfort has a different nature. In particular, the following types of noise are distinguished:

• Acoustic. It is found in empty rooms and represents reflected sounds (echo). In apartments, it rarely annoys residents, but can enter from the entrance.
• Spatial (airborne noise). This includes almost all the sounds that accompany our lives: people’s voices, music, the sound of people working household appliances etc.
• Structural. This type of noise is a shock vibration that travels through the structural elements of the house.

It is worth considering that soundproofing for floors is not able to eliminate absolutely all sounds. But it's worth paying attention special attention to the last category. Since it is structural noise that most annoys residents of apartment buildings, sound insulation mainly helps to cope with it.

Types of floor sound insulation

When starting to install soundproofing, you need to understand that it will not be possible to completely eliminate all extraneous sounds. Despite the abundance of high-tech materials, complete sound absorption (99.9%) can only be ensured by a thick concrete wall, a two-meter layer of insulating material and several steel partitions.

Sound insulation diagram under the screed

However, high-quality soundproofing of the apartment floor is quite capable of providing you with a comfortable level of silence. Let's consider the most popular methods solving the problem of extraneous noise in apartments.

Use of noise-absorbing coatings

Cork sound insulation

The easiest and fastest method to implement is ready-made floor coverings. They do not require major repairs and are inexpensive. Among the materials that well dampen shock vibrations transmitted through the floor, we highlight the most common options:

• thick linoleum;
• carpets and rugs;
• cork covering;
• foamed polyurethane;
• laminate + soundproofing lining.

All these options solve two problems at once. They provide a certain level of sound insulation and at the same time perform a decorative function. The exception is polyurethane coating, since it must be additionally covered with decorative flooring.

Sound insulation with screed

To make high-quality sound insulation, you will need to completely dismantle the floor down to the floor slabs. After this, a floating concrete screed is made, which will be separated from the walls and floor slabs. The process looks like this step by step:

1. The floor slabs are covered with cellophane so that after pouring the screed it does not appear on the neighbors’ ceiling.
2. To separate the walls from the screed, use a special polystyrene foam tape or a laminate backing cut into strips. Tape or strips of laminate should be laid along the walls. The optimal width of the gaps is from two to five centimeters; they are filled with sealant and covered with plinth.
3. A layer of foam plastic is laid on top of the cellophane, which will act as an insulator.
4. To prevent the screed from cracking, it is advisable to reinforce it with a fine-mesh metal mesh (50x50 mm or 100x100 mm) with a diameter of about 3 mm. This mesh is laid over a layer of insulation.
5. Next, the beacons are placed, which is not so easy to do due to the characteristics of the foam and possible unevenness of the floor slabs. This problem can be solved using special adjustable fasteners or by cutting holes for beacons in the foam.
6. After this, you can fill the screed. The solution is mixed in a proportion of 1 part cement and 4 parts sand. Keep in mind that the thickness of the solution must be at least 50 mm, otherwise everything will crack. Filling is done in one layer.

It is important to leave the room alone until the solution has completely dried, polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam are very elastic materials and can easily crack; one step on a damp screed can completely ruin all the work done. Complete drying will take about 4 weeks.

The insulation under the screed is very effective method. But before you soundproof floors using this method, you need to take into account that it will have significant weight, which puts additional load on the supporting structures. So make sure that such an upgrade will not lead to undesirable consequences for your home.

Sound insulation of wooden floors

Noise insulation wooden floors

Take off wood covering It’s quite simple and you can handle it without outside advice. The further course of work could be like this:

1. The logs located under the removed coating must be treated with an antiseptic. After this, they need to be reinstalled in the horizontal plane. U-shaped brackets are best suited for these purposes. You need to fix the logs in the same way as when working with drywall.
2. When the logs are installed, the space between them is filled with mineral insulation. It is better not to use polystyrene foam for these purposes; it is vapor-proof and will not allow air to circulate normally under the floor. This will lead to rapid rotting of the boards.
3. After this, you can begin installing the flooring. The boards are moved as closely as possible to each other and screwed to the joists with self-tapping screws.

Selection of materials for sound insulation

In order to achieve a high-quality result, it is important to take into account the features and properties of insulating and consumable materials.

1. Foam plastic- traditional and most popular material for heat and sound insulation. But not just any foam plastic is suitable for these purposes. The material must have high density. If you pour the screed onto soft foam, it will soon crack and all the work done will come to naught. The thicker the foam layer, the more effective it is. The optimal thickness is 50 mm.
2. Expanded polystyrene- an excellent alternative to polystyrene foam. It has greater strength and allows for lighter weight of the insulating structure.
3. Mineral wool copes with noise absorption and perfectly insulates the room. At correct installation it can last up to 40 years. But do not forget that it is very vulnerable to moisture. Choosing mineral wool, you will have to take care of high-quality waterproofing. In addition, it is a source of dust and phenoldehyde resins, which many consider hazardous to health.
4. Expanded clay- an environmentally friendly, inexpensive option that will also provide high-quality and durable thermal insulation.
5. Cork sheets are rapidly gaining popularity due to their durability (up to 40 years) and ease of installation. They don't rot and absorb well. impact noise and vibrations.
6. Foamed polyethylene easy to install and affordable. But under prolonged loads, it loses its insulating properties, and if moisture gets in, rot will spread on it.
7. Perlite used for soundproofing floors, however, it is not the most best choice. The quality of sound absorption here will directly depend on the thickness of the pillow, and this is a huge load on the supporting structure of the house.
8. Glass wool absorbs well impact noise, is fireproof and vibration resistant. Its light weight makes it ideal for older homes.

No less important is right choice cement for

A modern home should provide its inhabitants with a certain level of comfort. This multifaceted concept takes into account a number of factors, one of which is the low visibility of external noise and sounds of a very different nature. Reducing the level of external noise to a certain limit not only ensures a good mood for people, but also directly affects their well-being and health.

A good acoustic environment in residential areas is ensured by a number of activities. Floor sound insulation is deservedly considered one of the most effective in their list.

This problem is quite acute. In some houses, the audibility from the floor is so great that the question is not even about how to soundproof the floor, but how to properly soundproof the floor, that is, to achieve the required degree of its effectiveness.

What is meant by floor soundproofing and how to do it

Floor sound insulation is understood as a set of finishing works, after which the level of noise entering the apartment through the load-bearing base and the adjacent ceiling, as well as its distribution throughout the apartment, is reduced.

Typically, sound insulation is carried out during the finishing work and is based on laying materials on the base that reflect and absorb extraneous sounds and other acoustic influences.

An example of sound insulation implemented even at the stage of apartment construction is the use of floors in which appropriate additives have been added to the concrete, as well as the installation of these floors on soundproofing pads. This completely solves the problem of how to soundproof the floor from the neighbors below.

Types of acoustic noise

The type of sound insulation used depends on the type of noise.

External noise occurs outside the isolated room. It is created by moving cars, animals and people.

Intra-house noise is inherently internal in nature and occurs when elevators move, residents move along stairs and corridors, and various mechanisms operate.

Internal noise is created both by indoor appliances for various purposes(TV, dishwasher), and the inhabitants of the apartment.

Regardless of the type of noise, it is impossible to achieve 100% isolation from noise of any of the noted varieties. However, any type of noise can be reduced to an acceptable limit.

For example, the use of triple-glazed windows on windows significantly reduces external noise. The main means of suppressing intra-house noise is considered to be the elimination of rigid mechanical connections between individual elements of the building structure.

We also have to take into account the type finishing floor. For example, sound insulation under parquet is carried out according to different rules than in the case of carpet.

Methods for performing sound insulation

When answering the question of how to soundproof a floor, you can choose one of several basic approaches.

Sound-absorbing pads under parquet boards or laminate demonstrate high noise absorption efficiency. For these types of finished flooring, cork board or polyethylene foam padding is best. The high sound absorption coefficient characteristic of these materials over a wide frequency band makes it possible to significantly reduce the thickness of the gasket used.

The most complex, but also the most promising type of sound insulation is the implementation of the so-called floating floor. It is based on the use of absorbent materials, the installation of which ensures decoupling from the load-bearing floor.

Types of materials for soundproofing floors

The choice of soundproofing flooring material is seriously influenced by the technology used.

All materials available for sound insulation are divided into:

• soft (compositions based on felt, mineral or glass fibers);
• medium hardness (the best known is mineral wool with a cellular structure);
• hard (granular materials based on mineral wool, perlite and vermiculite).

Based on their structure, materials with acoustic absorption properties are divided into fibrous and cellular. Their effectiveness in eliminating unwanted external noise of acoustic origin differs slightly.

Sound insulation can occur both in the floor structure and at the level finishing materials. For example, soundproof carpet has a good effect.

Sound insulation of concrete floor under screed

In the case of concrete floors, sound insulation under the screed is often used. The popularity of this solution is due to its reliability, fairly high efficiency and ease of DIY implementation. Cement grade 400 with a concentration of one to three is used as the base of the screed.

The use of this method is most often required if soundproofing of the floor under the tiles is necessary.

Main feature This method is that it involves the formation of an additional layer up to 15 cm thick, which, coupled with fairly heavy materials, creates a significant additional load on the floor. In addition, due to the long hardening time of the cement mixture, this type of sound insulation requires at least two weeks.

The main stages of sound insulation using the “under screed” technology

The technology is based on the use of the following materials:

• self-leveling composition;
• sound-absorbing tape;
• extruded polystyrene foam boards;
• polyethylene film with reinforcing reinforcement;
• reinforcing mesh.

Additionally, T-shaped metal beacons will be required to set the base surface for leveling.

Soundproofing a floor under tiles begins with preparing the room: removing furniture from it, dismantling the existing floor covering and cleaning the base structure down to bare concrete (more details: " ").

The base is checked for mechanical damage in the form of chips, potholes and cracks, which are repaired with mortar. For uneven surfaces above two to two and a half centimeters in height, the surface is first leveled using a self-leveling compound.

Then the following operations are performed:

1. The soundproofing of the floor begins with the joints of the base and the walls being glued with sound-absorbing mineral tape; it is advisable to select the height of the tape on the wall to be approximately 10 cm.
2. Extruded polystyrene foam slabs are laid on the previously prepared surface of the concrete floor slab. Laying is carried out in such a way that there are no voids between adjacent slabs. If available, fill them out polyurethane foam. It is acceptable to use small pieces of polystyrene foam for this purpose.
3. The soundproofing slabs are protected from moisture by a polyethylene film that is laid on top of them.
4. The next layer is a reinforcing mesh with 10-centimeter cells. Beacons are placed on it, which are fixed in working position with cement mortar or foam.
5. The reinforcing mesh is filled with a solution, the upper surface of which is leveled using the beacon rule. After leveling, the screed is covered with plastic wrap and left for a week. The beacons are removed after five days, the voids left behind are sealed with mortar, after which the soundproofing layer is considered ready for installation of the finishing coating.

One of the fairly popular options for this technology is based on the use of temporary formwork instead of soundproofing tape. The formwork is made from wooden planks, plywood or drywall. After the screed has hardened, the formwork is removed and the resulting void is filled with mineral insulating material.

Dry screed

Dry screed is used in situations where its implementation based on concrete mortar is impossible. If this technology is used, pouring concrete is replaced by filling the insulated surface with a dry mixture. In this situation, expanded clay is often used as floor sound insulation. The formed surface, after additional leveling, is covered with sheets of plywood or gypsum fiber boards, after which it is ready for laying the laminate.

Sound-absorbing substrates

The question of how to soundproof floors when finishing the floor with laminate or linoleum is solved by using sound-absorbing substrates. For example, soundproofing the floor in an apartment under laminate can be done without any particular difficulties or financial costs. This type of material compares favorably with screed due to its noticeably smaller thickness: due to its good acoustic properties, with a thickness of only 2 mm, very effective noise suppression is achieved.

The following materials are used for the manufacture of substrates:

• cork and rubber-cork mixtures;
• foamed polyethylene;
• foamed polystyrene.

Installation of sound-absorbing substrates

In the case of implementing noise insulation based on an absorbing substrate, the process of its formation is carried out in the form of separate technological operations following one another:

1. The upper surface of the floor slab is cleaned of dirt and, if necessary, large potholes and cracks are carefully sealed with mandatory leveling.
2. The junction of the floor and the walls with a small vertical margin is glued with sound-absorbing tape in the form shown in the photo. To enhance the resulting effect, the perimeter of the room is additionally covered with foamed polyethylene.
3. The surface of the subfloor is covered with plywood. To enhance the resulting effect, it is better to use two overlapping layers.
4. The backing is laid end-to-end on the plywood in separate slabs. The joints are fixed with double-sided construction tape.
5. The resulting structure is covered with laminate or linoleum. The protruding part of the soundproofing tape is carefully trimmed or bent so that during final finishing it can be hidden behind the baseboard.

Features of work organization

The presented description indicates that, regardless of the technology involved, noise insulation work does not require high qualifications and the mandatory use of special tools. There is no need to contact specialized construction companies, nor do you need to have an official project completed by a licensed organization.

To achieve high quality of the formed coating, accuracy and an initial level of skills in working with typical building materials, the operations themselves do not require high physical effort.

Soundproofing is carried out to the extent possible. The exception is cement screed, which must be made entirely at one time.

The materials that are used in the process of making soundproofing coatings are not scarce or expensive and are usually presented in a fairly wide selection and are freely available from stock in hardware stores.

In the vast majority of cases, do-it-yourself soundproofing of a floor can be done independently without the involvement of external resources. The exception is the installation of a cement screed. At this stage it is better to work together with a partner.

Availability extraneous sounds, this is a constant problem, especially for new buildings located within the city. Soundproofing the floor in an apartment is aimed at reducing the overall level of irritating sounds penetrating from the outside and passing through the ceilings inside the building.

These works are carried out at the stage of finishing and arrangement of premises, according to a pre-prescribed technology, which involves the use of modern sound-proofing and sound-absorbing coatings.

Causes of extraneous sounds

Often, in the complete or partial absence of sound insulation, finding out the nature and cause of the extraneous sounds that arise does not cause any particular problems.

Extraneous sound propagating and present indoors can be of three types:

1. Acoustic – sound reflected from planes inside a room. Quite often found in empty, new or uninhabited apartments. As a rule, this type of noise disappears during installation.
2. Airborne is sound that spreads and is transmitted in space. That is, these are the sounds that a person himself makes in the process of his life - speech, music, clapping, etc.
3. Structural - sound that penetrates and spreads by transmitted vibrations through the main structural elements of an apartment or house.

Floor soundproofing is primarily aimed at eliminating structural sounds transmitted and penetrating into the living space through the load-bearing base. Depending on the type of base, they are used as traditional types sound-suppressing coatings, as well as modern sound-proofing materials.

When performing soundproofing work, it should be remembered that sounds penetrating through the base slab account for only 20% of the total noise entering the room.

This means that carrying out these works will give the best result only with an integrated approach and performing sound insulation of other load-bearing structures - walls, interfloor ceilings, doorways, etc.

Methods of work and materials used

Carrying out soundproofing work involves the use of various work technologies, using a variety of materials.

Carpet is often used as an additional measure to eliminate structural sounds

So, floor soundproofing can be done in the following ways:

1. Laying flooring.
2. Arrangement of a prefabricated floating floor.
3. Usage .
4. Insulation under concrete screed.

Sound suppression by flooring installation is not enough effective way, which is mainly used as an additional and finishing option for sound insulation. That is, by themselves, floor coverings do little to prevent the damping of extraneous sounds, but with an integrated approach they can significantly reduce or eliminate their penetration.

Cork underlayment is most often used to dampen sounds and is laid under flooring.

The following materials can be used as finishing coatings:

• linoleum on a thick backing;
• cork floors;
• thick carpet;
• laminate with cork backing.

It is worth noting that laying soundproofing topcoats is only advisable in living rooms, bedrooms, children's rooms and hallways. Such materials are of little use for rooms with high humidity.

Installing a “floating floor” system is a more modern and effective method that provides the best result.

To soundproof the floor in an apartment, three types of this technology are widely used - laying sound-absorbing materials under a concrete screed, installing a prefabricated floating system and using a “dry screed”.

This method involves the creation of a multilayer structure that does not have a clear connection with the floor slabs. That is, when arranging the system, various sound-absorbing coatings are used that dampen the effects of vibration and sounds, preventing them from penetrating into the room.

Mineral wool performs two tasks - it absorbs incoming sounds well and creates an additional thermal insulation layer

In this case, the following materials are used:

• glass wool;
• mineral wool;
• foam;
• extruded polystyrene foam;
• polyethylene foam.

The use of heat and sound insulation materials, in addition to reducing the level of penetrating sounds, provides additional heat conservation and heat retention indoors. If desired, installation is possible heating systems and heating elements - electric or water “warm floor”.

Major manufacturers of soundproofing materials

In addition to traditional materials used for soundproofing floors, there are a number of modern coatings that provide an integrated approach, combining an increased level of soundproofing and sound-absorbing properties.

VIBROSTEK - mineral fiber tapes

Among the main manufacturers of these coatings, the following brands and brands can be distinguished:

• SCHUMANET – soundproofing boards made from staple fiberglass. Environmentally friendly, non-flammable, strong and durable coating. Available in the form of slabs and rolls. Widely used for insulation under concrete screed;
• NOISE STOP – sound-absorbing slabs made of basalt fiber. Used for insulation of residential and industrial premises. They have a high shock sound absorption index, due to this, they are often used for soundproofing floors in wooden and private houses;
• VIBROSTEK – is a sound-absorbing tape and substrate used in complex sound insulation technology. The material is able to withstand high dynamic loads. Most often used as a substrate for finishing cladding;
• ISOVER – mineral slabs with light weight and 50-100 mm thick. They belong to the group of environmentally friendly and safe materials. Most often used as a sound and heat insulating coating under prefabricated floors;
• ISOPLAAT – wood boards that act as sound and heat insulators. They are characterized by increased strength, reliability and resistance to mechanical damage. Can be used as a leveling layer under floor coverings;
• MAXFORTE is a sound-absorbing coating based on composite materials. Effectively reduces general level structural sounds transmitted through the air. The sound insulator is low-flammable, resistant to the formation of fungi and mold, and environmentally friendly. Available in the form of mats 12 millimeters thick;
• TEKSOUND is a soundproofing membrane made of aragonite, which has properties similar to rubber. Effectively reduces airborne noise levels by 25 dB. Available in rolls 5 m long, the membrane thickness does not exceed 3.7 mm.

Insulation and laying of materials under concrete screed

This method of floor insulation is the most rational solution if complex work is required - installation of a sound-absorbing, heat-insulating and leveling layer.

The only disadvantages of this approach are the weight exerted on the floor slab and the time required for the concrete layer to dry.

Soundproofing the floor under the screed will consist of the following stages:

This technology can be used both for insulating floors under tiles or laminate, and for subsequent installation of linoleum or carpet. When carrying out work in wet rooms, after leveling the floor, it is recommended to waterproof it with coating or roll materials.

Carrying out work under dry screed

Soundproofing the floor using the “dry screed” method eliminates the use of liquid solutions. The overall structure of the floor becomes noticeably lighter and can be used to insulate the floor of the upper floors of a private house or cottage.

Dry fine-grained mixtures are used as soundproofing materials - perlite sand, expanded clay, mixtures from manufacturers.

The use of fine-grained mixtures significantly speeds up the process of soundproofing work

The installation of sound insulation using the “dry screed” method will be carried out in several stages:

1. The concrete base is being prepared. The old floor covering is dismantled, the surface is cleaned, repaired and leveled. For this they use cement-sand mortar and self-leveling mixture/
2. Along the perimeter of the room, using a level, mark the height of the future backfill and glue sound-absorbing tape made of basalt or mineral wool.
3. A polyethylene film is spread on the surface of the slab with an overlap of 20-30 cm. Construction tape is used to join the coating.
4. If necessary, extruded polystyrene foam is used to provide thermal insulation. To ensure a higher level of sound insulation of the floor, mineral wool or similar materials can be used.
5. Filling is carried out up to 5 cm thick. The surface is leveled, after which a reinforcing mesh is laid and repeated filling of 10-15 cm is performed.
6. On a leveled surface, gypsum fiber boards or CBPB are laid in two overlapping layers. That is, the joints between the slabs of the lower layer are overlapped by the slab of the upper/
7. Soundproofing membranes or underlays are laid, flooring is laid, and skirting boards are installed.

Installation of a floating prefabricated floor

General diagram of the design of floating systems using soundproofing materials

Floating prefabricated floor technology is used to eliminate low levels of external sounds or as an additional solution when installing a concrete screed.

This method is most often used for soundproofing floors under laminate and linoleum - for this, polyethylene insulators with a closed cell structure are used, which are laid under the floor covering.

Polyethylene insulators are widely represented by the main manufacturers of soundproofing materials - MAXFORT, Comfort, TECHNONICOL, etc. The thickness of the soundproofing layer is no more than 10 mm. Laying is carried out with a small temperature gap from the walls of 10-15 mm.

To ensure the best effect, a cork or polymer substrate and a soundproofing membrane are laid on the sound-absorbing coating, after which a leveling layer of DSP or plywood is laid.

On final stage, the finishing flooring is being laid - laminate, linoleum, carpet.

Reducing noise levels in a wooden house

A wooden floor, especially during daily use, begins to make unpleasant noises - creaking, crackling, grinding. This is due to the peculiarities of its design and device.

Reducing the penetration of extraneous sounds into wooden house carried out by means of eliminating friction between wooden structures, alignment of the main guides and lining of soundproofing materials.

General diagram of flooring in a wooden house based on joists and its sound insulation

To eliminate sounds from a wooden floor along the joists, reduce the length of the joist guides by 10-15 mm. In the voids between the guides, in the absence of any insulating material, extruded polystyrene foam or mineral wool is laid.

For floors laid on beams, insulating pads made of felt, polymer rubber, etc. are used. The gasket must have antiseptic properties and not be subject to rotting processes. On top of the plank flooring, for all types of wooden floors, a prefabricated “floating floor” system is installed.

Estimated cost of insulation work

The total cost of soundproofing the floor in an apartment consists of a number of factors.

The final cost is directly influenced by the preparation of the rough surface and base slab for further work, the availability of material, the complexity of the work and the timing of completion.

On average, turnkey work using ThermoZvukoIzola under a 50 mm screed will cost from 900 rubles/m2. When using an insulator from the MaxForte company, 12 mm thick, under a 50 mm screed, the cost of work starts from 1400 rubles/m2.

The average cost of the materials mentioned in this article and used in soundproofing is presented in the table below.

Soundproofing the floor in an apartment is no less effective than the same actions carried out for walls or ceilings. The problem of noise from neighbors below is equally common in both new buildings and old houses, and the audibility is usually very strong.

Additional sound insulation of the floor will allow you to completely get rid of noise from below. In this article we will talk about all the modern options that we install in apartments.

Types of floor sound insulation

Sound insulation under screed

Today, most new buildings are rented without screed, so all actions to soundproof the floor fall entirely on the shoulders of the homeowner. Floating floor technology, i.e. Screeding over a layer of soundproofing materials is a standard solution for both new buildings and secondary housing.

Soundproofing a floor without screed

The installation of a floating floor involves wet work; this scheme is carried out mainly during the renovation of an apartment. Soundproofing technologies with joists or prefabricated flooring allow you to soundproof the floor without screed, so they are ideal for apartments with ready-made renovations.

Proper soundproofing of the floor will completely eliminate noise from below, which is especially important for new buildings, where renovations by neighbors can take several years!

Floor soundproofing prices per m2

Type of work:	Description:	Turnkey cost of soundproofing
Soundproofing the floor with dry screed (2-3 cm)	Prefabricated flooring: Knauf Superpol sheets on sound insulation rolls	~2000 RUR/m2
Sand concrete screed + roll sound insulation Schumanet or analogues (5 cm)	Basic sound insulation of impact noise, allowing you to comply with SNiP standards “Noise Protection”	~2200 RUR/m2
Sand concrete screed + layer of sound-absorbing slabs (thickness 8-10 cm)	Reinforced version of floor sound insulation for reliable protection against impact and airborne noise.	~2600 rub/m2
Floor on joists (9-10 cm)	Soundproofing the floor on joists is the optimal solution if wet work is impossible or in an old foundation (where the floor is not designed to support the weight of the screed)	~3500 RUR/m2

The cost of soundproofing a floor can vary depending on several factors. First of all, the price of floor soundproofing depends on the chosen solution and the materials used. We carry out noise reduction using various methods: each has its own noise protection efficiency and, accordingly, cost. Also, the cost of floor soundproofing will depend on the thickness of the screed and the amount of work.

To find out the final price, use the form on the website. We are in short terms We will contact you and select better sound insulation floors in your apartment.