Floor sound control is important for a couple of reasons:
- Peace and quiet: It reduces noise transmission between floors. This means less disruption for people in the unit below you from footsteps, dropped objects, or furniture moving. It also creates a quieter living space for you, by reducing noise coming up from the floor below.
- Privacy: Especially in multi-unit buildings, unwanted noise can travel easily through floors. Good sound control helps to maintain privacy in your own living space.
Here are two types of noise that floor sound control can address:
- Impact noise: This is the sound caused by foot traffic, furniture moving, or objects being dropped.
- Airborne noise: This is sound that travels through the air, such as voices, music, or television noise.
Implementing floor sound control measures
By implementing good floor sound control measures, you can create a more peaceful and enjoyable living environment for yourself and those around you.
If you need additional privacy or add an extra layer of sound control on the floors to meet some guidelines, we enter into a fraction of the construction, requiring some planning.
We must first understand that when you are on a second story or more, the steps create sound waves as you walk. Those waves travel through the different components of the structures, subfloor plywood, floor joists, wall studs, and connectors along the framing.
More than just subfloor glue between joist and plywood is needed to solve the sound problem traveling from the story above to the space below. The glue, at the most, will prevent the squeaking effect caused by the wood, but the drum effect won’t be solved.
The assembly, in general terms, to cancel the noise coming from above, you need to plan during the designing stage. When you are thinking of remodeling your house, building your house, or remodeling the kitchen or bathroom, is something you need to consider first.
The multiple elements are critical to obtaining the best sound control.
Insulation between joist, noise control tracks for hanging drywall on the ceiling, subfloor glue, subfloor plywood, nailing pattern, lightweight concrete base, a minimum of glued down 10mm sound control layer, and the glued wood floor or tile. This will solve the waves spreading along the floor, but when the waves traveling on the surface hit the baseboards, the sound can communicate to the space below. To prevent this problem, we need to isolate the walking tray, adding at least a 4 mm sound control layer behind all baseboards.
Regupol is a soundproofing underlayment material used for various flooring applications. Installing it requires some prep work and can involve adhesives. Here’s a general guide on how to install Regupol, but be sure to refer to the specific manufacturer’s instructions for your chosen Regupol product:
Preparation
- Check the subfloor: Ensure the subfloor is clean, dry, level, and free of cracks or debris. You may need to fix any unevenness or cracks before proceeding.
- Plan the layout: Decide on the installation pattern for the Regupol rolls. Typically, they should be laid perpendicular to the finished flooring.
- Unroll and relax: Let the Regupol rolls relax at room temperature for a few hours, ideally 24 hours, to minimize curling during installation.
Installation
- Start at the wall: Position the first roll against a wall, squared with the room. You can use a chalk line to ensure a straight edge for the seams.
- Adhesive application (if required): Some Regupol products require an adhesive. If so, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying the adhesive using the proper trowel size.
- Roll placement: Depending on the installation method (adhesive or loose laid), unfold or position the Regupol section and carefully lay it down, smoothing out any air bubbles.
- Seams and edges: Maintain tight butt joints between rolls. You may need to trim some edges for a good fit.
- Rolling: Use a roller (weight recommendations vary depending on the product) to ensure proper adhesion or flattening of the underlayment.
Additional tips
- Wear gloves and a dust mask when handling Regupol.
- Maintain a recommended expansion gap around the perimeter for the underlayment.
- Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific details on adhesive type, drying times, and any special installation requirements for your chosen Regupol product.
Baseboards themselves typically aren’t directly involved in soundproofing a room. However, noise can travel through the airspace around them or through the wall they’re mounted on.
Here are some approaches to consider for controlling sound in relation to baseboards:
Reducing noise transmission through walls
- Mass loaded vinyl (MLV): This can be applied to the wall behind the baseboard before reinstalling it. MLV is a dense material that helps block sound waves from traveling through the wall. You can find soundproofing MLV online or at soundproofing stores.
- Soundproofing sealant: Apply a sealant around the perimeter of the baseboard where it meets the wall to block any gaps where sound might travel through.
Reducing noise traveling through the airspace around baseboards
- Caulking: Apply caulk between the baseboard and the wall to seal any gaps. This can help to prevent sound from traveling through the airspace around the baseboard.
- Weatherstripping: In some cases, applying weatherstripping to the back of the baseboard before reinstalling it can help to dampen vibrations and block some airborne noise.
Additional tips
- Identify the type of noise: Is it airborne sound (voices, music) or impact noise (foot traffic)? Addressing the source of the noise might be more effective than soundproofing around the baseboards.
- Consult a professional: If you’re dealing with significant noise issues, consider consulting a professional soundproofing contractor to assess the situation and recommend the most appropriate solutions.
Overall, a good sound control system will give you more privacy and comfort in the rest of the house.