A HARD CHOICE?
Interfloor explains how selecting the correct underlay for use under hard flooring can help keep noise to a minimum.
Noise can be a real problem for areas where hard flooring has been installed. Owing to the growing trend towards this type of floor in both domestic and commercial settings, there are now specialist rubber underlays available which can help keep noise to a minimum.
There are two types of sound transmission in buildings: airborne noise such as people talking and impact noise, which would include footsteps for example.
Using a good quality underlay can go a long way to reduce both types of noise. However, there are a number of factors to consider when selecting the optimum underlay to suit your needs and chosen floorcovering.
A typical hard wood floor will have a Sone (a measurement of sound) of over 70 without underlay. By adding a dense sponge rubber underlay, this will reduce to a Sone of 57 or less.
Interfloor, UK manufacturer of underlay systems for the international contract flooring market, recommends using a good quality crumb rubber underlay, such as its double-stick Duralay Durafit System. This has been a popular choice to reduce impact sound in commercial environments since the 1980s.
Special noise reduction rubber underlays for wood and laminate floors, with their superior weight and density, can reduce acoustic noise levels by up to 30%.
Interfloor Sales Director Gary Cowley says: “Tests have shown that in-room acoustics can worsen if inferior or lightweight underlays are used with hard flooring; putting a lightweight, air filled, cellular product under wood or laminate creates an echo chamber and more noise, whether it’s generated by scraping furniture, heavy footsteps or reverberation.”
British Standard BSEN ISO 717-2:1997, which manufacturers quote on their technical specifications, measures the impact sound insulation qualities of flooring and underlay.
In high-traffic hospitality environments, such as hotel bedrooms, dining rooms and reception areas, there is likely to be increased noise from footfall, trolleys, furniture scraping on the floor, doors closing, and dropped items. A good quality crumb rubber underlay will reduce impact sound in these types of environments.
In busy meeting spaces noise levels can have a huge impact on the acoustics and the clarity of any speech. Airborne noise is sound transmitted through the air, and underlays which work well for impact sound reduction will not normally be as effective in reducing airborne noise such as music and conversation. Adding more mass will give more density to the final floor, thereby reducing airborne noise. High-density sponge rubber and crumb rubber underlays are therefore the ideal choice.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is increasing in popularity for commercial buildings largely due to the fact that it offers
38 | SOUND REDUCTION SYSTEMS
superior acoustic properties in comparison with hard flooring alternatives. There are specialist underlays available for use with LVT flooring which contribute to the optimum performance of this type of floorcovering in terms of reflected walking sound, as well as underfoot comfort and longevity.
www.interfloor.com
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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