Floors & floor coverings


Acoustic vinyl flooring solutions for housing


nuisance noise can be acute, says Kenny Miller, National Sales Manager - Housing, Gerflor. In residential environments nuisance noise


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is usually more bothersome to occupants of homes where impact sound travels from one dwelling to another, especially from rooms above to spaces below. This has been exacerbated by the building of more flats and multi-storey apartments, the conversion of older, single dwellings into multi-occupancy homes and the trend for extending homes to include three or more floors. The greater use of hard floorings such


as wood, stone and wood laminates over carpets and cushioned floorings in homes has also contributed to higher levels of disturbance caused by impact sound on upper floors to rooms below. Impact sound transmission is a form of struc-


ture-borne sound made by the impact of an object on another, generating sound transmission. Impact sound can be transmitted through the floor construction to the room below, commonly by footsteps. Sound insulation levels are measured using a decibel (db) scale, which involves logarith- mic units to measure airborne and impact sound. Pioneering vinyl flooring manufacturers have


therefore responded to the need to control impact sound by introducing residential acoustic vinyls


nwanted sound can have a detrimental effect on people’s health and well-being especially when living where constant


insulation, domestic, cushioned vinyls with integrated textile-backing systems and sound- insulating foam backing systems benefit from sound-insulation built into their specification. And, usually the thicker and more effective the textile backing system, the more sound-absorbent and thermally-efficient the flooring will be. Textile-backed vinyl floorings can also be loose- laid, thereby speeding up fitting and lowering installation costs. For housing applications where slip resistance


with sound insulation levels as high as 19db. These floorings are now playing a vital role in minimising impact sound within homes, both in multi occupancy and single dwellings, and in the private and public sector. As acoustic, residential floorings can


mimic wood, wood laminate and stone floorings so successfully and look and perform better than ever before, they provide a quieter and more practical solution where sound-proofing is required, especially in buildings that have been converted into flats and apartments. The UK’s Building Regulations 2003


Part E: Resistance to the Passage of Sound sets minimum standards for impact sound insulation. Acoustic floorings can help achieve performance requirements. Whereas wood and laminate floors


generally rely on underlay to provide acoustic Social housing flooring from Gerflor


Housing is about far more than four walls and a roof. It’s more about environment and the positive or negative impact that it can have on the tenant’s overall well-being. At International flooring specialist Gerflor they’re committed to providing the social housing sector with a range of flooring products that deliver fantastic quality, together with providing the all-important levels of comfort, safety and wow- factor. When time means money, and budgets often tight, Gerflor has the ideal solution. The range of options from Gerflor include solutions for a range of applications including wet room and bathroom areas as well as living spaces. For more information call Gerflor or visit their website.


01926 622600 www.gerflor.co.uk


as well as sound insulation is essential, some high performing, acoustic textile-backed and foam-backed residential vinyl floorings are ≥36/R10 slip resistant and meet HSE guidelines. In addition, some of the new wood-effect


interlocking click and lock system residential vinyls provide a secure yet floating floor and are a quieter alternative to LVT, wood and wood laminate. Cushioned, high performing, easy-mainte-


nance, acoustic residential vinyl floorings with additional benefits such as waterproofing, slip resistance and cost-effective installation are bringing solutions to housing projects. While flooring manufacturers continue to invest in innovative new technologies, advanced acoustic, thermal and high performing vinyl floorings will meet the challenges ahead for flooring in housing.


01926 622600 www.gerflor.co.uk The Specifier’s Guide to Flooring


The Specifier’s Guide to Flooring, published by Kick-Start Publishing, has launched in the UK. Officially unveiled during Clerkenwell Design Week, the new ‘definitive guide’ will provide a specification tool for architects, designers, facilities managers and specifiers on all aspects of flooring. Exploring key materials, from carpet to vinyl, ancillary products and accessories – and everything in-between – the Guide will provide a rich resource for the industry, in hard copy format and online.“The Specifier’s Guide to Flooring is the must-have publication for every architect, designerand specifier from Land’s End to John ‘o Groats.” added David Strydom, editor of CFJ.


01892 752 400 www.specifiersguide.co.uk


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40 | HMM July 2018 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


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