Nowadays, you are facing noise problems in your room, especially the maximum noise coming from the floor. You are doing a lot of things but don’t find any solution to reduce noise from downstairs neighbors.
You have also noticed that some sound waves come to your room from the bottom door gap. The sound of this door also creates reflection to the ground section of the room and converts high noise into the room.
In this situation, you are searching for how to soundproof between existing floors. Here, I will tell you the reliable solution and you should follow scientific theory to remove this problem.
Don’t worry. This theory is easy to set up and you don’t need to become a science teacher. You need concentration to set up the actual setting that works.
So, I will give you some suggestions. I will also give you some important points at the bottom of this blog. Before that, you need to know some required information that will help you spontaneously.
I think you also know that many noise sources multiply floor noise. Such as the footsteps of your family member, the noise of the chair leg, etc. are the main issues to create an airborne and impact noise.
N.B: Transmission of impact noise is possible through floor structure. (source)
There is also another source that creates floor sound maximum. So keep on reading this writing with full concentration, if you want to remove floor noise.
Outside noise of the room normally comes through the door and window. When the outside noise comes to your room, then it reflects your room wall and floor.
This is why there is a huge volume of noise inside your room. This sound is called reflecting sound that you need to remove. So you should also concentrate on soundproofing a window and noise reduction from the door.
Besides, when your baby cries in your room, then this crying sound also reflects the ground part and room wall. It creates a huge volume which is converted to noise.
To remove this noise, at first, you need to soundproof your floor with specific guidelines that I will tell below. After reducing noise between floors in an apartment, you should concentrate on soundproofing a full room.
If you have any confusion about it, then you should read the information below.
Do You Believe Soundproof Floors Work?
According to science, any sound cannot pass a material, when that material includes a sound stopping and absorbing element. A hard plain surface can reflect the sound.
On the other hand, any noise can pass through the cracks or holes of any material. If it is possible to fill these cracks or holes of that material, then any noise cannot pass through that material.
To know more, you can read this article about soundproofing.
You should know that there are two types of flow of sound waves. One is direct sound flow and the other is reflected sound flow.
Scientifically if you can stop these two types of sound flow, you will be able to reduce ceiling noise or upstairs (floor) noise from upstairs neighbors of your apartment.
For acoustic floor insulation, you can read this article about reliable acoustic and soundproof floor underlayment guidelines. For the solution of these two types of sound flow, you should maintain some important issues.
Firstly, you should find out the reflected sound sources and arrange noise-absorbing accessories. Secondly, you should block the ways of noise passing where noise passes.
After doing all these things, you will be able to reduce noise from that area. You can noise-proof any area by using the soundproofing material but you should clear your idea when you have decided to soundproof a floor.
From the start time of construction of the house, most of the settings in the wooden floors (hardwood floors) or the tile floor of the concrete ground section are not soundproof. from the start time of construction of the house.
But normally the constructor has designed it well from the start time of building that house. So you should be concerned about soundproofing between floors during the time of new construction.
If you can do this, then the maximum noise problem in the ground section will not be created in the future.
But in the current situation, you should believe that there is also a possible way to soundproof the existing floor. You can check by researching on the internet about the topic of soundproofing a wall.
So I want to tell you that there is a possible way to reduce noise from the ground section. You should find a reliable solution to soundproof a ground section.
Now let’s move to find the actual solution on how to soundproof a wooden floor or tile floor. The good news is that you don’t need different instructions for that.
You can follow the same suggestions with proper concentration for insulation between floors and noise-proofing any type of floor structure.
How to Reduce Floor Noise in a Room
For using flooring materials, you should implement accessories for floor soundproofing. Now, here I am telling you the way step by step about soundproofing a ground section.
You should know that there are different types of noise-proofing systems that you can apply for reaching your goal. So the effective processes are given below and you should keep on reading.
1. Placement of Floor Carpet
You can install any gorgeous carpet but the better decision will be to install acoustic material for soundproofing a ground section. Yes, the effective solution is to use an acoustic carpet.
An acoustic carpet has various types of facilities. Acoustic carpet can block noise because it absorbs noise at any weather condition.
Acoustic carpet also gives an extra layer to the ground section. It stops the direct touch to the floor surface.
Besides, after using that carpet, sound waves cannot reflect directly to that surface. So low sound is created when you are walking on the carpet.
According to the quality, acoustic carpet gives different level facilities. If you collect a high thickness width acoustic carpet, then it will give you the highest facility.
Always try to collect the carpet that includes a vinyl layer. It gives more sound insulation to the acoustic carpet.
You know that naturally wooden or tile floors are hard surfaces. This is the reason why any sound reflection can happen to the surface of these tiles and wooden floors.
The tile floor creates more noise reflection than the wooden floor because the tile floor is harder than the wooden floor.
If you already have non-acoustic carpet on the floor. Don’t worry and there is also an option for you. Don’t remove this carpet. Keep the new acoustic carpet on top of the old carpet.
This will give more density for the layer to the ground section. As a result, your room will become more soundproof in that situation.
2. Use Acoustic Rubber Mat (Underlayment)
Any rubber material has high sound absorbing power. It can stop any sound waves. The high density of any rubber material has the high power to stop noise waves.
So I think you have understood that point. If you use an acoustic underlayment, then you have also got the highest facility.
If you have covered it with the acoustic carpet, you can get a better result for blocking the reflection of high loud noise. So the better solution is to use the acoustic rubber mat.
In this situation, you should cover all areas with the acoustic rubber mat. Then you can get a good result from the system of soundproof flooring.
Normally, an acoustic rubber mat is used in the gym center because heavy and steel materials are kept in the ground area. When heavy gym materials are dropped in the ground section, they create a large noise.
So using that rubber mat, you can stop more noise. This type of mat is popular for both residential and commercial places nowadays.
3. Use Anti-vibration Mat
Are you facing the noise that comes from your freezer or washing machine that is beside your near room? I know you will agree with my point.
Sometimes, you may hear the freezer sound that comes to you through the ground area of a room. Do you know why and how that noise comes to you?
Now, I am telling you the reason and I will also tell you the solution to that problem. This sound may happen when your freeze vibrates.
Then the vibration sound passes through the ground section and comes to your ear. Now, I think, you can guess what the solution is. Yes, your guess is right.
If you put an anti-vibration mat under the freeze, then there is no contact between the freeze and the floor. This is the reason why the freezing vibration noise of freeze cannot pass through your room floor.
Here, I am telling you about the construction function of an anti-vibration mat. The anti-vibration mat includes a hundred percent synthetic rubber and its rib is wider so that it is non-slip able in any situation.
For this complicated construction of the anti-vibration mat, it can be a more soundproof material. You can use the anti-vibration mat under the heavy machine like freeze, generator, etc.
You can use it at any place in your room. just select the high vibration area in the ground section and then place that mat as your choice. Thus you can soundproof the ground area of a room that is a high vibration source.
4. Use Mass Loaded Vinyl
Mass-loaded vinyl is one type of layer that has the high capability to stop floor sound. The activity of this vinyl is like the acoustic mat.
It also gives the extra layer (additional layer) to the ground area so that any noise cannot reflect on the ground surface. MLV is loaded with more layers.
So it is called mass-loaded vinyl. Most people also called it MLV as a short term of mass-loaded vinyl.
If you feel any gap or hole in the floor and floor joists, then mass-loaded vinyl is the best solution for you because it has a high quality to block any sound like direct sound or reflected sound.
You can easily manage it because it looks like a thin cover layer. Before placing it, take an actual floor measurement. After taking floor measurement, then collect it for placement.
Now I will discuss another solution to soundproof the apartment floor without a problem.
So continue reading to know this solution …
5. Placement of Acoustic Tiles in the Floor
If you don’t want to install anyone that I have told above, then you can prefer acoustic tiles for the ground section. After setting acoustic tiles, you can get high-quality soundproof activity through it.
Normally, these tiles are used in the gym house, studios, sports center, and especially those places where the maximum load is used for specific activities.
Now you can understand that acoustic tiles are used for the maximum soundproof setting because they need to block high sound volume in the ground section.
To reduce the vibration of heavy machinery, acoustic tiles are used professionally. This is the reason why these tiles can absorb that sound of high vibration.
6. Installation of Soundproof Door Sweep
When any noise passes under the door, this noise reflects in the room wall and floor. After reflecting on this noise, it becomes louder than the previous one.
This is the reason why it is necessary to stop this noise anyhow. For this, at first, you should close the gap in the door bottom area.
For filling up the bottom door gap, there needs a door sweep to close the bottom door gap fully. You should collect soundproof door sweeps to solve this issue.
You cannot get a better result if you add normal door sweeps to the door. When you close the gap in the bottom door area, then you can stop the noise that comes from the bottom door side.
There is no sound reflection on the room wall and floor if noise doesn’t come from the door bottom side.
7. Rug Placement
The rug is one kind of rough carpet that is also useful to soundproof a floor. You can ask me how a rug can soundproof a ground section.
Of course, there is a logic for that. Now, I am explaining this logic. When someone comes to your house and opens the door for entering your room, you can hear that there is a sound created by the door and it grows louder and comes to your ear.
The reason for growing the sound louder is that, after opening the door, the door sound reflects the door side floor. For this sound reflection, you can hear that sound louder.
To solve this situation, you need to keep sound absorption material on the door side floor. Then that material absorbs that door sound and stops to grow louder.
In this situation, rugs can be the best option as a sound absorption material. The rug is also soft material and it can absorb sound volume.
Now, you can understand how to use a rug to soundproof a ground section technically.
8. Furniture Arrangement
There is also a technical solution to soundproof a ground section indirectly. When you keep any soft and rough material around the floor, then these home accessories absorb some sound waves and don’t allow that sound for floor reflection.
You know that these types of home accessories can be the bookshelf, bed, sofa, rug, etc. I think you have understood what I want to tell you.
Find the most available sound sources and keep these home accessories near that noise source technically. Thus you can be able to reduce some floor noise.
Some Data that You Need
Sound Transmission Class
This term is very important for all because if you can know this data clearly, then you can be able to collect the right soundproof material as your choice. So you should read this data with full concentration.
Sound transmission class is an integer rating that is used in the material isolation measurement. The short term of sound transmission class is STC.
When a material has a higher STC, it means that the material has higher sound isolation. On the other hand, when a material has a lower STC, it means that the material has lower sound isolation.
Suppose, a material has 30% STC. What does it mean? Can you tell that? Now, you can understand the meaning of 30% STC.
However, I again explain this meaning for your clear understanding. 30% STC of a material means that a material has 30% sound isolation.
In the marketplace, when you collect any soundproof material, then you can see the rating of STC. Through the STC rating, you can understand what is the range of ability for reducing sound transmission.
This is the reason why you should check the STC rating before collecting any soundproof accessories. If you don’t understand or cannot find the label of STC rating, then ask the seller near the marketplace.
Noise Reduction Coefficient
Noise reduction coefficient means the performance of sound absorption of any material. The short-term noise reduction coefficient is NRC. It has a range to understand. The range of NRC is 0.0 to 1 or 0% to 100.
In the sound absorption material, there needs a range to identify the absorption capacity of any material.
When a material has a higher NRC, it means that the material has a higher capacity to absorb noise. On the other hand, when a material has a lower NRC, it means that the material has a lower capacity to absorb noise.
For example, when a material has NRC 10%, what is the meaning of that percentage? I know you have now understood. However, what is the meaning of that percentage? 10% NRC of a material means that a material has a 10% capacity to absorb noise.
I recommend you to check NRC if possible when you will collect noise absorption accessories. If you don’t find an NRC report in the accessories, then ask the seller so that the seller can find out for you. I think now you have a basic clear view about NRC.
I hope that you can understand any percentage of STC and NRC. You cannot ignore STC and NRC if you believe that it is possible to soundproof a ground section.
Especially with the data of STC and NRC, you can recognize which accessories are quality and best for you.
My Viewpoint of Soundproof a Floor
I think you have learned some information that you can implement for your benefit. I hope you can fulfill your requirement by reading all these suggestions that are given above.
You should focus on sound vibration when you will start to soundproof the floor of your room. You should find out the vibration sources of household machines.
The vibration of household machines can be created by drill machines, freezes, motors, generators, washing machines, and many other machines that are used in household facilities.
MLV is the most popular soundproof accessory that is used in society.
In the overall viewpoint, I want to say that for setting soundproof a ground place, at first, you need a serious curiosity. Then you need deep concentration on the suggestions that are described.
Next, you need to set a plan with a time frame. After that make a list with soundproofing accessories in a file. Then measure the floor in your room and collect all accessories from the right place.
Make sure that the collected soundproof accessories are well qualified. Then take help from a professional person if you want. Finally, revise all activities that you should do for soundproofing a ground place and do implement the required suggestions.
FAQ: Soundproofing a Floor
Can I Put Sound Insulation Between Existing Floors?
To insulate impact noise (contact noise), you should install acoustic material between existing floors properly. Besides this type of noise is also the main noise pollution that should be blocked by the insulator.
Is it Worth Insulating Under the Existing Floor?
Under the floor, you need to install a waterproof insulator properly. Of course, you will benefit from this type of insulator, if you can collect the right one.
What is the Most Effective Way to Insulate or Soundproof Under a Wooden Floor?
You can use the reliable rubber mat because it has a high insulation property and it also has soundproofing properties. Besides, you can use other acoustic accessories as guidelines.