Floating floors for acoustic comfort

What are floating floors?
A quick breakdown of a typical solution for good sound insulation and low impact noise.

Floating floors can provide exceptional soundproofing qualities, making them a favorable choice for residential and commercial spaces alike. Not only do they reduce the transmission of impact noise, but they also offer an improvement for sound insulation (both horizontally and vertically).

One advantage is the Enhanced Acoustic Performance: Floating floors can excel at isolating sound/impact noise, both for sound insulation and impact noise, perfect for apartments/housing that has to comply with building regulations.

However, it’s crucial to consider the drawbacks as well.
Cost: While the benefits are noteworthy, the initial investment for floating floors can be higher than traditional flooring options.

Floating floors like a screed on compressed mineral wool, can significantly reduce unwanted flanking and direct transmissions of noise and impact noise.

How long does acoustic underlay last?

Determining the lifespan of acoustic underlay can be challenging. While certain types are engineered to endure for decades, others may have less predictable longevity. Moreover, the issue becomes more complex when considering underlays beneath screed, which are laborious to replace and ideally should endure for the lifespan of the structure itself.
Regrettably, acoustic underlays inevitably deteriorate over time, potentially compromising their acoustic efficacy. When striving for optimal acoustic performance, it is imperative to consider this uncertainty and account for the gradual degradation of the structure’s acoustic capabilities.

In instances where screed is utilized as a floating floor construction, opting for pre-compressed underlays is advisable. Avoiding softer and less dense alternatives, as their susceptibility to compression over time may detrimentally impact their acoustic attributes.

This is an essential aspect to bear in mind during the design phase.