When it comes to soundproofing your linoleum floors, there are a few special considerations to keep in mind. The base (with floor covering) must be acoustically tested to demonstrate how much impact noise it reduces. This is because not all underlying layers are created the same way, and you can't assume that a 5 mm underlay will work the same as another. The acoustic subfloor for vinyl floors must have the necessary dimensional stability to avoid crevices and the thickness to absorb sound. Generally speaking, felt, cork, or foam are good acoustic underfloor options.
Rubber, although it can work functionally, is not recommended due to its tendency to stain and bleed. Hush II, composed of cork and foam, is a good example of a patented subfloor system designed for luxury vinyl tiles (LVT). When combined with compatible resilient flooring products, this system can achieve between 50 and 70 IIC. Another option for soundproofing floors is to install a resilient subfloor. This is an optional floor layer, but it's normally recommended by builders or contractors because of its good sound absorption quality.
It cushions the floor covering and minimizes the effects of impact and airborne noise. The denser the floor covering, the faster vibrations (IIC) will be transferred through it. In addition, this type of floor covering cannot be installed on a membrane that is too thick for fear of cracking - a specially designed membrane is needed to meet mechanical requirements. A flooring contractor can explain all the factors you need to consider so that you can choose the material that best suits the specific needs of your building, taking into account your budget. You also need to obtain a soundproofing permit if you are going to replace or install floors in partitions and sets of floors between sleeping units or housing units that are close to each other.
Along with ceiling and wall coverings, your acoustic flooring system will help create the best acoustic environment for your building application. Whether you're building a new floor or replacing an existing one, it's worth considering soundproofing your floor to avoid unwanted noise in the home. Floating floors, carpet pads, and sound-insulating subfloor can greatly improve the ICC rating of a flooring system. In addition, the acoustic quality of a material should not be the only factor you use when selecting the floor for your installation - in applications where acoustics are a key consideration, it is important to glue or float the floor rather than nailing it so that sound energy cannot travel directly through the nail, to the subfloor and to the lower rooms. In addition to the bottom layer under the floor covering, carpet padding can reduce noise in the room, especially if you have a hard surface floor such as tile and hardwood. When specifying new flooring materials, there are so many factors to consider that color may be at the bottom of the list. On the other hand, if the floor is already covered with your favorite floor covering such as linoleum, tiles or carpets, you must first remove these coverings in order to install the soundproof subfloor.
If you're planning to do the soundproofing yourself, don't forget to ask the flooring store about the details such as the right tools, equipment and products for use. Durable, waterproof and easy to maintain WPC floors offer great acoustic benefits, especially when it comes to mitigating impact noise such as high foot traffic. Please note that if your building is made strictly of wood (no concrete slabs or cladding), we recommend that you contact an AcoustiTech team for more specific recommendations.
