How to Soundproof a Timber Floor
Soundproofing a Timber Floor
Unlike a concrete floor soundproofing a timber floor requires careful attention to both airborne and impact performance. Airborne noise is of greater concern when soundproofing a timber floor as timber developments lack the mass of a concrete floor. Therefore, in order to achieve Part E Regulations soundproofing solutions must be designed to reduce both impact and airborne noise sources.
Traditional Timber Floor Soundproofing Methods
Acoustic floor battens are a well recognised method of soundproofing timber floors. The deep batten system provides a void in which services can be run between the battens. To meet the demands of Part E Regulations the battens require additional components to complete the timber floor soundproofing system. This includes the installation of a 19mm plasterboard and 18mm OSB chipboard on top and 25mm of mineral wool in-between the battens.
Modern Methods of Soundproofing a Timber Floor
As a complete system the acoustic battens adds 107mm to the overall floor height, which has a significant impact on room space. Modern methods of soundproofing, such as dry screed boards reduce the amount of height added to a floor, whilst providing the required level of mass to eliminate airborne noise.
Dry screed boards typically only add 28mm to the floors height and replicate the benefits of a concrete floor making them ideal for timber floors that lack mass. The dry screed solutions have 79mm less impact on the overall floor height, providing greater room space.
Their high density, makes them extremely effective in dealing with airborne noise, whilst a high performance resilient is effective at reducing impact noise. The dry screed like finish also enables the boards accept ceramic tiles directly, which is not possible with wood based solutions.
Soundproofing Refurbishment Timber Floors
Soundproofing a refurbishment timber floor provides additional challenges to new build soundproofing. It is not uncommon for the make up of existing timber floors to be difficult to identify, requiring greater consideration for the type of soundproofing treatment adopted.
As with new build timber floors dry screed board solutions are a highly effective acoustic treatment for refurbishment projects. The boards high density and all round versatility make them the best choice for complete performance.
Alternative options include chipboard based acoustic floor boards featuring a high performance resilient layer. They are a soundproofing solution that is quick and simple to install and deliver the mass required to meet the demands of part E Building Regulations.
Direct to Joist Soundproofing
In situations where it is not possible to replace the ceiling below a direct to joist soundproofing solution can be adopted. These systems are thicker than standard acoustic floors boards, to make up for the lack of a new acoustic ceiling being installed. Direct to joist acoustic systems are typically used on a project where the purpose of a room is being altered, such as an apartment above shop.
Finishing the Soundproofing System
To implement even greater mass to a timber floor, mineral wool soundproofing rolls are installed in-between the joists, resilient bars installed to the bottom of the timber joists, followed by two 15mm acoustic plasterboards.
As with all floors acoustic flanking strips are the perimeter of all acoustic floor treatments to eliminate the risk of acoustic flanking.
How to Soundproof a Timber Floor
Here are the key points to remember when soundproofing a timber floor
- Timber floors lack mass making them vulnerable to both impact and airborne noise
- Acoustic treatments must add mass to the floor
- Acoustic floor battens are a traditional and well recognised method of timber floor soundproofing
- Dry screed systems deliver the required performance levels, but take up less room space and offer additional benefits of acoustic battens
- Chipboard acoustic floor boards and dry screed panels are suitable for refurbishment timber floors
- Direct to joist solutions are suitable for refurbishment projects where the ceiling below cannot be replaced
- Soundproofing rolls, resilient bars and acoustic plaster boards are installed in-between and below the timber joists
- Acoustic flanking strips are installed around the floor perimeter to prevent acoustic flanking
Resonate Timber Floor Solutions
Resonate Systems offer a wide range of acoustic insulation products suitable for timber floor applications. The table below identifies suitable solutions for specific timber floor types.
For more information and technical advice regarding soundproofing for timber floors or any type of development please contact the Resonate Systems technical team.
