The noise level coming from your neighbours can disrupt peaceful living. Anytime people live close to one another, some level of noise is inevitable. However, this doesn’t mean that constant noise disruptions should be commonplace. Reducing noise levels is a priority for many people, particularly those living in apartments, condos, or a townhouse complex. This is where it’s important we illustrate the importance of sound underlayment installation and how it plays a larger role to improve soundproof flooring.
Why Floors Play a Large Role When It Comes to Sound
Figuring out how to reduce noise between floors begins with understanding why floors are so crucial to sound. Sound waves tend to echo off hard surfaces, including floors, creating loud noises that extend beyond the source of the noise. Sound can also be transmitted along the floor, affecting rooms that share a common wall or ceiling.
The flooring installed is sometimes not enough to completely absorb the noise without proper sound underlayment. Sometimes this underlayment might already be attached to the flooring material but if this is not the case, it needs to be installed separately before flooring is laid.
Soundproofing vs. Sound Absorption
Soundproofing and sound absorption are sometimes used interchangeably, but their goals are quite different. Soundproofing prevents noise from escaping or entering a space by using soundproofing materials to block sound transmission through the floors, walls, and ceilings and sealing gaps, cracks, and openings. The goal is to stop noise from leaving or entering your home so you can maintain privacy.
Sound absorption focuses on the sound within the room. It uses materials such as acoustic panels and foam to absorb sound instead of reflecting it. Other ways of absorbing sound include using denser materials or adding a rough texture to surfaces. All this is done to reduce echoes and balance the sound so that it is clearer and more consistent throughout the room.
Factors to Consider
The subfloor is the material that lies beneath the floor surface. In addition to supporting the floor, it acts as a moisture and sound barrier. The materials and steps taken to soundproof between floors depend on the type of subfloor you’re working with.
Concrete Floors
Concrete subfloors are often used for basements and garages. They are quite dense, particularly when the slabs are thicker rather than thinner. This makes them good at being soundproof.
If sound is still leaking through the concrete, this density works against you by making it more difficult to improve its soundproof capabilities. It isn’t impossible, though. A professional can help find an effective soundproofing solution like adding more concrete slabs or surface mats, paints, or other finishes.
Wood Floors
Wood floors are a popular flooring option for many homes in the GTA. Similar to concrete, the soundproof quality of wood floors depends on the thickness of the planks.
Different wood types vary in their density, which also affects soundproofing. Joint spacing, be it narrow or wide, also impacts soundproofing. Finally, it is important to note that solid hardwood floors are more difficult to soundproof than engineered wood floors.
Soundproofing Floors for Condos
A major source of noise that can overwhelm condo dwellers is when neighbours above renovate their homes. This can cause quite a disturbance and make it difficult to cope. Zelta Floor & Design is an expert when it comes to soundproofing floors for condos in Toronto.
Our flooring installation services give you the best flooring and sound underlayment installation to meet your soundproofing and design needs. Our expertise includes selecting the right material for your space from solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl, laminate, rubber, carpet, and tiles in various designs.
Soundproofing Floors for Stacked Townhouses
Although adding concrete is a common method to soundproof floors in a townhouse, it is not always enough. Effective soundproofing requires careful planning due to the unique construction, space constraints, and building codes of a townhouse.
Working with us helps you navigate the technicalities that come with deciding on the right soundproofing material for your townhouse, whether that’s wood flooring, carpet installation, or another option. We make sure you have the right material of sound underlayment installed.
Soundproofing Floors for Multiplexes
Living in a multiplex has its benefits, but it also means that you’ll probably hear your neighbors around you. Noise can easily travel from unit to unit if soundproofing measures are inadequate. Some of the common complaints people experience with shared spaces include the sound of children running.
Soundproofing the floors of multiplexes begins with identifying potential noise sources so that the best soundproofing method can be used. Our professionals at Zelta Floor & Design can step in to help you determine the best way soundproof flooring you need. This includes installing proper sound underlayment materials and adding resilient flooring.
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Get Proper Soundproof Flooring for Your Home
Living in a home where you’re disturbed by your neighbours’ noise doesn’t have to be your reality. There are effective steps that we at Zelta Floor & Design can take to ensure sound is not a concern in your household regardless of where you live. Trust us to help you make the best decision for your condo, apartment, multiplex, or even commercial space. Get started with us today by booking a free design consultation with our professional team.
FAQs
When it comes to soundproofing your basement, there are a few options to try. These include installing resilient flooring such as vinyl, adding mass-loaded vinyl to the ceiling, sealing any gaps and cracks, and insulating the ceiling.
To soundproof your home from upstairs noise, you can add sound underlayment between the subfloor and flooring. You can also insulate the ceiling and make sure that all seal gaps and cracks are filled.
The options for soundproofing in an apartment are more limited since major changes need to involve the landlord and the approval from property management. However, our professionals can help you find an appropriate solution. General guidelines are to seal potential gaps and cracks, add rugs or carpeting, install soundproofing material (sound underlayment, acoustic panels, soundproofing blankets, mass loaded vinyl, etc.).
