Everyday sounds and occasional noises are part of life when you live in a condo building or when you share a house with others. Although it is not possible to 100% insulate a room from noise, installing a soundproof floor is a good start.
Would you like to give your eldest son — who has moved into the basement with his girlfriend — more privacy? Is the neighbour below complaining that he can hear you stomping around over his head? You may be tempted to renovate to improve the acoustics of your home or unit. In the world of noise reduction, there are many products available for walls, floors and ceilings, but simply installing them isn’t enough: it’s best to ask a soundproofing professional for advice. In fact, despite your good intentions, you could make the situation worse since many factors can hinder these products’ effectiveness.
Choosing the Most Appropriate Acoustic Membrane
Rubber, cork, styrofoam and synthetic fibre are among the most popular materials for acoustic membranes, but before deciding on what you think is the best option for your home, you first need to analyze many of the room’s characteristics, including the type of flooring that will be used or the type of subflooring that is in place. The installation process must also be precisely carried out, that is to say the membrane must be laid in a specific manner if it is to absorb sound vibrations in spite of how noisy you may be. As you can see, before undertaking any work, it would be wiser to seek advice from a company specializing in soundproofing.
The Most Effective Flooring
Some materials, such as ceramics and vinyl, excel in conducting sound. This makes it more difficult to soundproof this type of floor … but it’s not impossible! Some companies have developed high-performance products and installation techniques for these very materials. Moreover, a high-quality laminate wood floor can provide very good acoustic performance when paired with the correct membrane.
Carpeting: The Noise Insulation Champion!
If you want to quickly soundproof a room, carpet is the ideal solution. For optimal results, cover the entire surface area (wall-to-wall), but even a smaller rug can make a difference. We know that rugs are trendy at the moment, but the same cannot be said of fully carpeted floors. However, the tide might be turning with more and more owners opting for neutral models that can blend in with any type of decor, whether modern or rustic. Laying rubber flooring in the home gym also makes sense!
The Little-Known Advantages of Soundproofing the Floor
Aside from reducing noise coming from the other floors of the house or building, an insulated floor will give the room a hushed atmosphere. You will, moreover, save on energy as the insulation will hold in more heat and prevent cold air from coming up from the basement. What an eco-friendly bonus!
Increased Resale Value
Another benefit of insulating against sound is that it will increase your home’s value. Some specialist companies offer programs (such as AcoustiCONDO) to ensure a good level of noise reduction in office or condo buildings either existing or under construction. This superior soundproofing has a significant impact when selling a property, especially when it comes to a unit in a large building. Furthermore, a building designed with acoustics in mind means that the syndicate of co-owners won’t have to deal with so many noise complaints. Good soundproofing is also a selling point when buying a single-family home. Privacy between floors is sought after by many, especially if a tenant lives there or if the children are older.
Be aware, though, that a noise-proof floor is the first step when it comes to sound damping. For the best results, however, the next step is to insulate the ceiling. Looking for a home or condominium that is well insulated against noise? Call on your RE/MAX broker to unearth just such a hidden gem!