Soundproof A Floor- 8 Best Ways

11 min readJul 10, 2020

Soundproof a floor is an amazing idea because noise is very irritating when it is come from below especially in the Apartment. Imagine a new noisy neighbor living below your FLAT and they make unnecessary noise, and after so many requests they never give a shit. What do you do? Please answer in the comments below.

To get a better solution, first of all, we have to analyses the problem in detail.

There are two types of Noise

Impact Noise

When one object hits the other object that creates an Impact noise. For example, dropping objects on the floor, dragging furniture, running, etc.

This noise affects a relationship with neighbors if they live below you.

Airborne Noise

The Noise which is transmitted through the air is known as airborne noise. Examples are radio, the barking of dogs, etc When sound waves traveling through the air reach a building element they hit it and cause it to vibrate.

To get mutual benefit and good relations of your neighbors soundproof a floor is significant.

Ways To Soundproof A Floor

Floor Underlayment

Floor Underlayment is a thin layer of material that is placed under a visible Floor. The purpose of floor underlayment is

To sound reduction or dampen noise which helps in soundproof a floor
To provide a smooth surface for a visible Floor
To Moisture Protection
To protect the visible floor from harmful damage

It depends on the types of the floor covering what kind of material used for underlayment. Types of floor covering are Laminate, Solid Hardwood Floor, Vinyl Floor, etc. Let Discuss materials in detail

Laminate flooring

Best Laminate flooring underlayments are

FLOOR MUFFLER ULTRA SEAL UNDERLAYMENT

It is a great product for soundproof a floor (Laminate). It is highly recommended for residential and commercial floor installations Its key features are as follows.

Impact Insulation Rating For 74
Self- Sealing Tape System
Flexible and easy to trim
Mold and Mildew resistant
Super Moisture Protection

ROBERT SUPER FELT INSULATING UNDERLAYMENT

It is a great asset to soundproof a floor. It is 3mm thick pad corrects minor sub-floor imperfections. Its key features are as follows.

works best for laminate floors
just under 2 inches of edge overlap
cost about 50 percent square feet
Made from recycled Fibers
Provides deep, rich sound by absorbing noise instead of deflecting it

MANTON CORK ROLL

It is an amazing product for soundproof the floor. This cock material specially design for home improvement projects. It’s ideal for homes for radiant heat and cold. Its key features are as follows.

Excellent acoustical (sound transmission) and thermal benefits (insulates both cold & heat)
Easy to cut & install — mount directly to the wall, glued to the backer board.
Ideal for kids room, playroom, kitchen, home office & shop.
Also, use for a Dartboard

FLOOR FLOAT FOAM

Floor float foam is a helpful asset for soundproof a floor. It covers 200 square ft per roll. It is 3mm thick. Its key features are as follows.

It reduces Noise which is come from foot traffic.
It minimizes the hollow sound associated with floating floors.
It is easy to install with the r with the attached Peel-&-Stick tape and overlap system.
It gives superior moisture protection.
Conceals minor cracks and crevices

STEICO WOOD FIBER

Steico Wood Fiber is a good product for soundproof a floor. The Installation of Steico wood fiber is tricky. It covers 90 sqft. Its key features are as follows

100% natural, Eco-friendly soundproof padding
High Compression Strength
It minimizes Squeaking
Vapor Open” technology prevents conditions for mold growth under the floor, works as a natural microclimate regulator.
Click-lock protection” ensures that the floor will not squeak, prevents the “springy” effect when walking.

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Best Solid Hardwood Flooring Underlayments are as follows

FORTFIBER UNDERLAYMENT

Fort fiber, underlayment is a helpful material for soundproof a floor( Sold HardWood). It covers 500 sq ft roll measuring 3ft*167ft. Its key features are

Extremely effective moisture vapor
The sub-floor barrier slows moisture migration and helps prevent buckling, cupping, and cracking.
Helps increase the life and appearance of your flooring.
For use under tile and wood

Cork Underlayment

Cork Underlayment is the best asset for soundproof a floor. It is not only for solid hardwood floors but also for tile floor, laminate floor, stone floors, etc It covers 200-feet Square roll. Its key features are

It reduces the sound and thermal transmission and helps protect the floor against the transfer of stress cracks from the subfloor.
It increases the effectiveness of floor heating systems.
Easy to Install both glue-down and loose-lay configurations

Vinyl Flooring

Best Vinyl Flooring Underlayments are as follows

MP GLOBAL QUIET WALK

It is a great product for soundproof the floor. It is ideally made for not only vinyl flooring but also for laminate and solid hardwood floors. It is easy to install- roll-out and join the Steam. It covers 100 sqft per roll. Its key features are as follows.

It has superior sound reduction because it fibers absorbs sound and maintain a silent environment
It has compress resistance because its fiber structure uphold its supportive configuration under the consistent traffic of the overlying floor
It manages vapor from becoming bulk moisture.
Certified in clean and air indoor quality

SOUND BUFFER UNDERLAYMENT

It is a good asset for soundproof a floor. It is ideally of vinyl flooring, glue down floors. It covers 200 sq ft. It bit costly than Foam It key features are

Sound reduction
Compression resistant
Best with Rigid Flooring
STC sound rating 64

3 FLOOR MUFFLER UlTRASEALENT.

It is Effective For soundproof a floor. Its price per 100 sq.ft. It is ideally of Vinyl Flooring. Its key features are as follows

It is very effective for reducing footfall noise
It has a self-sealing and tape system
Resists dent and depressions
Impact reduction rating of 71
pre-applied sealing adhesive
Fast & Free FedEx Ground

Apply Noise Proof Compound

The noise proofing compound is an amazing damping product. It ideally helps in soundproof floor doors, windows, etc. Its main properties are it dissolve the vibrations caused by sound waves as they travel through ceilings, walls, and floors.

Whether you’re an experienced construction professional or a handy DIY kind of person, using Green Glue Noise Proofing Compound is a cinch.

By the application of noise proofing compound to a floor, it is effective only on airborne noise but not as effective on impact noise. The compound is applied between two rigid materials (for example, OSB subflooring), and unlike other noise proofing options, it reduces noise at all frequencies.

Use Carpet Padding.

Carpet Padding is a value for money material to soundproof a floor. It is material that placed underneath your carpet. It comes in different textures sizes and thicknesses.

Importance of Carpet Padding

It minimizes stress on your flooring
It helps us to reduce the noise traffic
It absorbs the shock of everyday foot traffic
It increases and comfort and cushion of your feet
It controls and minimizes stains from going into your easier cleanup

How Do I Use A Carpet Padding

First, decide on the basis anticipated Foot traffic come to your house rather than looks. Give attention to maximizing the attributes you want most within the budget you’ve set, and you’ll be golden. In case you’re changing the carpet in high traffic areas, similar to your living room, it’s finest to decide on a pad that’s durable and can face up to heavy foot traffic.

Generally, a flooring retailer will throw in free carpet padding to entice shoppers on making a carpet buy, however, that add-on might not be the high-quality pad your house requires. It’s good to assess the thickness, weight, and materials of the carpet padding needed. Thankfully, technological advances have produced nice choices in your house, it doesn’t matter what life is like inside.

To find out if the carpet padding you’re focused on is a perfect thickness and softness in your house, you can begin by stepping on samples. This gives you a thought of how the padding feels underfoot, without leaving you guessing about what it may be like under your new carpet. You’ll discover that some carpet padding feels firm and sturdy, while others feel soft and luxurious. Again, consider your home and the factors that will help you decide what carpet padding is best.

Install MLV( Mass Loaded Vinyl)

The main purpose of MLV to act as a Sound Barrier. It is also known as a limp mass barrier. It is Made up of 3 principal components.

Barium Sulfate- It is used due to its unique properties — it is non-toxic and has a high relative density
Calcium Carbonate- give soundproofing capabilities
Vinyl- to give the MLV flexibility

It is used to soundproof a floor, door, pipes, HVAC Ducts, Office Partitions Walls, Computer server rooms, mechanical rooms.

For More Detailed About MLV Check out this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=zAOvIXdBPGc&feature=emb_title

To Install A MLV it is different than rubber you will have to nail or screw to the floor. However, if you are a tenant and you have not got permission from the landlord to pierce your floor. If that case then you can make sure that the MLV covers a smaller surface than the rubber as rubber is nonslip material.

Place Rubber Floor Mats

Rubber Floor Mats is an amazing material to soundproof a floor. It is more effective when noise is caused by machines or appliances such as Television, mixers, washing machine, Stereo, etc.

To get a better soundproof solution place your rubber mat floors underneath your carpets. This product is specifically manufactured for durability and is designed for either residential or commercial applications that are exposed to heavy foot traffic. Its key features as follows

It has Easy DIY installation in gyms garages, gyms, fitness facilities, basements, etc
It provides awesome underfoot comfort
It supports to absorb the shock which running, exercising, walking, etc
It acts as a great sound barrier for sensitive base floorings like wood, tile, or concrete.
It is not slippery so you can do exercising walking easily.

Interlocking Floor Mats

Interlocking Floor Mats is a very cost-effective way to soundproof a floor. You can use it in various places like the garage, workshops, Kitchen, restrooms, pet rooms, gyms, yoga centers, Offices, pilates, etc. All you have to do is purchase your chosen design in enough quantity to cover your entire floor

They can also be easily cut to fit the corners of your room. All you have to do is purchase the floor mats and fix them over your existing floor. It Key Features are as follows.

It has a low price, great quality and easy to assemble
It is better used for hard floor
It has lightweight, really easy to use
Water-resistant, stain-resistant, wipe off basically to clean
Insulates from the cold surface, Waterproof, Non-slip, Soundproof, Shock absorbent

Get A Professional

If you have a very busy schedule and have enough budget you can easily hire a professional to soundproof a floor.

You all need to do that you can purchase necessary material to start adjustments to your floor A professional can, however, make permanent changes to your apartment.

Additional Tips

Residing in a house comes with limitations in case of soundproof a floor. You may not have a choice You may not have a choice on the type of flooring due to the already existing one.

It may be chances are you’ll want permission from the owner of the house before using some of a complex technique to soundproof a floor. Most techniques want some further tools. Seek the advice of the retailer of the additional objects you want for the setup. Throughout set up, you must make sure that you don’t go away any gaps on the ground since gaps can cut back the effectiveness of the most effective soundproofing materials

You should also pay attention to the maintenance of your new floor to increase durability.

Install Deck Screws

If in case you have been bothered by these squeaky ground sounds all you want are some deck screws. You will want a pencil, drill, drill bit with a countersink, deck screws, and a bit driver.

After all, you may at all times get a handyman to do that for you nevertheless it’s fairly a fundamental and simple course of.

First, it’s good to take away your present flooring, carpet, linoleum, tile, or hardwood flooring. This process is to get entry to the subfloor. You could possibly do that for areas explicit to the squeaking sounds or take away your entire flooring altogether.

Locate and mark the squeaky areas. Drill pilot holes on every mark, use a bit with a countersink of the suitable measurement of the screws you’re utilizing to do that. The bit needs to be barely smaller than the width of the screws.

Place a floorboard in place and insert the sharp tip of the deck screw into the sooner drilled pilot gap. Drive the screw gently by means of the board and into the framing with the bit driver, maintain making use of strain as you go.

Repeat this course to put screws in the entire earlier drilled pilot holes to secure all of the floorboards. It’s preferable to drill the joists.

Additional Information

There is a question in my mind How to reduce the noise between o floors. so there are 3 effective Ways which are as Follows

Replace the ceiling to improve the acoustics
Soundproofing a ceiling without demo
Change your flooring for better soundproofing

For More Details each of them Click here

Conclusion

There are various ways to soundproof a floor. Choose the way which is cost-effective, easy to use, and have a quailty.

There are So many ways in which soundproof a floor which means you have to do some changes on the floor. If you are an owner of the house it is no problem but if you a tenant you have to take permission from your owner. As we know it depends on the owner to owner. But truly I said my owner never give permission to changes in my home.

If you follow these ways you definitely get better relationships with your neighbor.

If any query, suggestions, or complaints please write in comment section or mail at sumit@soundfree.in

Originally published at https://soundfree.in on July 10, 2020.