Acoustic Insulation for Floors: Reduce Impact Noise

Acoustic Insulation for Floors: Reduce Impact Noise

Why impact noise matters

Impact noise (footsteps, dropped objects, moving furniture) is one of the most common complaints in multi‑storey buildings. Left unaddressed, it degrades occupant comfort and can lead to disputes, lower building ratings and reduced property value. Proper acoustic floor insulation targets structure‑borne sounds at their source and along transmission paths.

How floors transmit impact noise

Impact events create vibrations that travel through the floor structure and radiate as airborne noise in rooms below. Key transmission paths include direct flanking through the slab, edge coupling at walls and screeds, and rigid connections through furniture or fixtures. Effective mitigation requires a system approach: resilient layers, decoupling, mass, and careful detailing.

Acoustic Performance Basics and Standards

Common metrics: ΔLw and ISO standards

Impact sound insulation is commonly expressed as ΔLw (difference in weighted standardized impact sound pressure level) and L'nT,w (normalized impact sound pressure level). Standards such as ISO 10140 (laboratory measurement) and ISO 717‑2 (rating for buildings) define test methods and descriptors. In practice, a larger ΔLw (dB) means better reduction of transmitted impact noise.

Typical performance expectations

Standard resilient underlays and floating floor systems typically yield impact sound reductions in the range of roughly 10–25 dB, depending on the system, substrate, and installation quality. Heavy build-up systems combining resilient layers and added mass (e.g., floating screeds over resilient pads) can achieve larger improvements, sometimes exceeding 30 dB in controlled conditions.

Materials Overview: Acoustic Thermal PCR and Other Solutions

What is acoustic thermal PCR?

“Acoustic thermal PCR” refers here to acoustic and thermal insulation materials manufactured using PCR (post‑consumer recycled) polymers or rubber that provide both sound and heat control. These products are attractive for sustainable construction because they recycle waste materials into high‑performance underlays that combine impact noise reduction with thermal comfort benefits.

Common floor acoustic materials

Key materials used for floor acoustic insulation include rubber underlays (butyl, recycled rubber), NBR foam, cork, elastomeric mats (e.g., butyl rubber), Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV), and resilient acoustic tapes and seals. ASLONG’s portfolio—Butyl Rubber Sound Damping Mat, MLV, NBR foam, and sound‑white cotton—covers these main categories and can be combined to target specific requirements.

Practical Selection Guide

Match the solution to the problem

Choose materials based on the dominant transmission path and building constraints. For direct impact (domestic flats), resilient underlays or rubber mats under floating floors are often sufficient. For heavy commercial use or thin construction, combine resilient layers with added mass (MLV) or a floating screed for best results. Consider acoustic thermal PCR underlays when sustainability and some thermal insulation are also desired.

Thickness, resilience and long‑term performance

Thickness and compressibility determine the resilience of an underlay. Durable elastomeric products such as butyl rubber or high‑quality NBR foam maintain performance over decades, whereas cheaper thin foams may degrade and lose effectiveness. For installations under hard floor finishes (tile, wood), ensure the underlay supports the finish without excessive deflection.

Installation Principles to Maximize Performance

Decoupling and continuous resilient layers

Decoupling the finish floor from the structure breaks vibration paths. Continuous resilient underlayers without gaps and with correctly detailed perimeter isolation strips are critical. Edge details and penetrations (pipes, ducts) are frequent weak points—seal or isolate them to prevent flanking.

Combine mass and resilience wisely

Mass reduces airborne transmission while resilience reduces structure‑borne vibration. For floors, a combination—resilient underlay + dense surface layer (e.g., thicker timber, stone tiles with MLV beneath, or extra mass in screeds)—produces better overall results than either approach alone.

Quantitative Comparison of Common Floor Solutions

How materials compare in real installations

The table below summarizes typical impact sound reduction ranges, relative thermal benefit, typical thickness and common applications. Values are indicative ranges observed in field and laboratory reports; real results depend on substrate and installation.

Why Choose ASLONG Products

Company capabilities and global reach

ASLONG (Welllink Guangdong New Material Co., Ltd.), founded in 2000, specializes in acoustic materials, sound insulation and shock absorption. With a modern production base of over 10,000 m², ASLONG supplies butyl rubber sound damping mats, Mass Loaded Vinyl, NBR foam, sound white cotton and other products exported to Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. We emphasize efficient, environmentally friendly solutions and are recruiting agents worldwide.

Product combinations for balanced acoustic and thermal performance

Combining ASLONG’s elastomeric mats with acoustic thermal PCR underlays or NBR foam achieves balanced impact noise reduction and thermal comfort without significantly increasing thickness. For retrofit projects where floor height is limited, thin MLV plus a resilient underlay offers a compact high‑performance solution.

Installation Tips and Quality Control

Preparation and substrate inspection

Ensure the substrate is clean, level and free from debris. Minor leveling should be completed before laying underlays. Check for rigid fixings or services that could bypass the resilient layer and plan for isolation around columns and penetrations.

Sealing and edge isolation

Use acoustic sealants and perimeter isolation strips. Seal all joints between MLV sheets and perimeter edges. Edges that touch walls should have a continuous elastic strip to prevent rigid bridging. Proper tape and seam welding for MLV are important to maintain mass continuity.

Cost, Sustainability and Lifecycle

Cost vs. performance considerations

Higher upfront costs for dense rubber underlays, MLV or floating screeds are often offset by fewer occupant complaints, better long‑term performance and reduced retrofit costs. Acoustic thermal PCR products may offer favorable life‑cycle cost when sustainability goals and thermal comfort are valued.

Sustainability benefits of PCR materials

PCR‑based acoustic thermal underlays reuse post‑consumer plastics and rubber, reducing landfill and embodied carbon compared with virgin raw materials. Many projects pursue acoustic thermal PCR products to meet green building criteria and circular economy goals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Poor detailing and incomplete isolation

Even the best materials underperform if installation lacks continuous isolation, if joints are left unsealed, or if heavy elements bridge the resilient layer. Ensure installers follow manufacturer details for edge strips, joint tape and transitions.

Wrong product for expected loads

Choosing a very soft foam underlay for heavy furniture or high traffic leads to creep and loss of performance. Use durable elastomeric products or higher‑density foams where load and wear are greater.

FAQs — Practical Answers to Common User Questions

Q: How much impact noise reduction can I expect with a new underlay?

A: Expect typical reductions of 10–25 dB for resilient underlays; systems combining resilience with added mass (MLV or floating screeds) can achieve larger improvements. Final results depend on substrate, finish, and installation quality.

Q: Is acoustic thermal PCR suitable for thin floor builds?

A: Yes. Acoustic thermal PCR underlays are designed to deliver both sound and thermal benefits with modest thickness (3–12 mm). They are a good choice where sustainability and thermal comfort are priorities, but for the highest acoustic performance, combine with MLV or other mass layers if space allows.

Q: Can I retrofit existing floors without major disruption?

A: Many retrofit solutions exist: thin MLV + resilient underlay beneath new floor finishes or floating laminate with acoustic underlays. For minimal height change choose thin elastomeric mats or high‑density foams. For highest reductions, a floating screed retrofit is more disruptive but more effective.

Q: How do I choose between MLV and rubber underlay?

A: Use rubber/elastomeric underlays primarily for impact isolation and long‑term resilience. Use MLV when added mass is needed to reduce airborne transmission as well. Frequently the best solution is a combination: resilient underlay + MLV.

Q: Does ASLONG supply samples and technical data?

A: ASLONG provides product datasheets, test results and samples for specification projects. Contact our sales team for product selection guidance, test reports and installation details. We are recruiting agents worldwide to support local projects.

Next Steps and Contact

How to evaluate your project

Begin with a site survey to identify dominant transmission paths, floor build‑up and constraints. Request ISO or laboratory test data for candidate products and consider a pre‑installation mock‑up if occupants are sensitive. For sustainable options, ask for PCR content and lifecycle information.

Working with ASLONG

ASLONG offers a range of acoustic, sound insulation and shock‑absorbing materials tailored for floors and other applications. For specification support, samples or distributor information, contact ASLONG through our website and ask for acoustic solutions including acoustic thermal PCR underlays and combined systems.