Soundproof Floor

I’m Andy Parkin Managing Director of the Multi Award Winning Speed Screed.  I am here today to talk about soundproof floors.

Sound pollution is a real problem that requires Building Regulations to control.  Within Part E of the building regulations covering sound.

E1 – E2 Soundproof Floor

Soundproof Floor Protection

Protection from noise from adjoining buildings, which includes terraces, semis, and flats are all covered by E1. Sound transmissions within the home are covered by E2.

There are two tests that form the basis of Part E, and that is airborne sound and impact sound.  The minimum requires for airborne sound resistance for dividing walls or floors between homes is 45 decibels in new builds and 43dB in existing building being converted.  The regulations state that the internal airborne resistance inside the property must not exceed 40bB, for walls and upper floors between bedrooms and other rooms.

When looking at impact sound a maximum impact sound transmittance of 62dB for floor and stairs in new builds.  For existing conversation projects, the maximum is 64dB.

The Problem

Like water sound looks for the path of least resistance.  Any tiny holes or gaps, such as services holes like wastewater pipes, and electrical services.  All of which are pathways for sound transmission.

Around the house there are lots of potential hazards that could cause sound transmission, and careful planning of all works must be undertaken to ensure that the property does not fail the regulations.

Following on from services, some other control items are

• Isolating flues that service fires between floors
• Cutting in sockets back to back on walls
• Vibration through fixings, bolts, and nails (ensure that the screed is always below such fixings or is isolated).
• Hard floor covering laid directly to floorboards
• No isolation between the floor screed – substrate and walls

Some Options For A Soundproof Floor

If your project falls under Part E of the building regulations, you have two options.

1. Undergo pre-completion testing, where airborne and impact sound tested are carried to ensure that the minimum requirements are achieved.
2. Sign up to Robust Details, which is an alternative to pre-completion testing. By using this scheme, it takes away the uncertainties of pre-completion testing.

When signing up to Robust Detail you have several options when it comes to your floor construction, each of the options have been extensively tested, and adopted into the scheme.  If you follow all the instructions when carrying out the work to the high standards set, then there is no testing to be carried out.

If you project does not require you to undergo pre-completion testing or sign up to Robust Detail, there are still many reasons why you would want to soundproof your floor.  Do you really want sound transmissions from one room to another or floor to floor?  With a little planning your detached property can be a quiet haven for all the family.

Products

There are many soundproofing products on the market.  Some examples are Pliteq GenieMat, Isorubber, Tanquilt, and Regupol to name but a few.

I hope we have given you some ideas as to how you would obtain a soundproof floor.  We love to help, contact us.