Noisy floors, among the most common complaints with flooring today. In today’s society, noise pollution is an increasing problem, as we hear unwanted sounds from inside the home and outside the home, through machinery, traffic, television, and our floors. There are ways of reducing the transmission of noise through your home, but it is important to first understand the different types of noise. There are mainly three kinds of noise: airborne, impact, and flanking.
Noisy Floors are but Some of the Noise We Hear All Around Us!
Airborne Sound – You are probably aware that sound travels through the air in waves. It is at the point when the noise waves hit a surface of some kind that the noise is absorbed, and there is a sound reduction. Therefore, wall insulation is good for reducing the level of sound. The more insulation, the better. There are insulating panels available that have an inner layer of mineral wood. The outer layer is made of plasterboard, and these panels are attached to the existing plasterwork and can dramatically reduce the noise levels within a home. Acoustic padding can also be used to line walls and ceilings to reduce airborne sound.
Impact Noise – This is when sound travels through a material or object that does not absorb any of the noise whatsoever. The material actually conducts the sound. One such material is a wooden floor. One way of reducing the sound here would be to use fiberglass between the joists and good-quality, thick plasterboard on the ceiling to reduce the travel of the noise to upstairs rooms (if the wooden floor is ground level). When installing a new floor, you can use an acoustical noise–deadening cushion that will help to eliminate noisy floors. For floors that are already installed, consider using area rugs to help dampen the sound of noisy floors.
Flanking is a mixture of airborne and impact noise. It is noise that reaches you indirectly. It could be open spaces such as corridors, chimneys, or unsealed gaps within the home. Some useful ways of soundproofing are to use sound-reducing acoustic layers under the carpet. Tiles are available from any retail source. Sheep Wool Underlay is an Eco friendly product that can reduce noise by 21 dB and is ideal for use under timber floors.
Another way to reduce noisy floors within the home is to use rubber flooring that can reduce noise by around 20 dB. Floating floors can also be used on top of the other floor using one of many cushions that are available to deaden sound and reduce the irritation of those noisy floors.
Ceilings can be soundproofed again by using plasterboard of good quality or by using two layers. Alternatively, a false ceiling can be built.
Windows and doors are generally now double-glazed and can reduce noise from outside by around 24 dB. Make sure there are no gaps around windows, as this will allow sound to travel and be extremely cold as well!!
White noise is also a factor to consider; this comes from things like televisions and street noises from traffic. Soundproofing walls will reduce this sound but not eliminate it.
In a modern world, we have to be realistic about increased noise pollution and apply the correct method of insulation to successfully reduce noise, including that of noisy floors.
Key Points
- Types of Noise in Homes: There are three main types of noise pollution inside homes: airborne, impact, and flanking, each requiring different soundproofing approaches.
- Reducing Airborne Noise: To minimize airborne sounds, additional wall insulation, mineral wool panels, and acoustic padding can be used to absorb and block sound waves.
- Handling Impact Noise: Impact noise, like footsteps on a wooden floor, can be reduced by using fiberglass between joists, thick plasterboard, or area rugs to dampen the sound.
- Addressing Flanking Noise: Flanking noise, which travels indirectly through gaps or open spaces, can be reduced with sound-reducing acoustic layers, sheep wool underlay, or rubber flooring.
- Additional Soundproofing Tips: Soundproofing can be enhanced by sealing gaps around windows and doors, using double-glazed windows, installing soundproof ceilings, and considering white noise to mask residual sounds.
