Objects falling, television, music, and people walking overhead are various types of sounds that travel through the floor. The unwanted noise can cause a distraction if you’re trying to get work done, sleep, or want to relax in your house. You can easily pick a sound mat to absorb noise to make your home more comfortable and peaceful. Here are more ways to stop sound from traveling through your floor:
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Floor Underlayment
You can build a subsequent floor with soundproof underlayment if you have a bare floorboard. But if your floor is covered with tile, carpet, vinyl, or linoleum, you must remove the coverings to install a soundproof material. Use acoustic underlayment with acoustic mats to completely absorb airborne and impact noise. The bare floorboard should be smooth with no cracks or protruding nails before installation.
If it is damaged, have it fixed and be free of dirt before any installation. The underlayment textures and material vary by production. Installation methods will differ depending on the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The right soundproof floor underlayment will leave your room padded and soundproof.
Carpeting and Rugs
If you have floors made of hard material like wood, tile, or laminate, layering rugs or carpeting can significantly help. Sound waves travel a lot easier through rigid structures because there is nothing to prevent them. Rugs and carpets add density and softness to the floor, effectively absorbing noise. You can install soundproof underlayment before installing the carpet to increase sound absorption. The underlayment can be made from foam, cork, and rubber. They add another surface and create more density to absorb sound waves.
If you are renting and the landlord restricts you from installing wall carpeting, you can use area rugs for soundproofing instead. Rugs work similarly to carpets as they add more density to absorb sound waves. You can place a sound mat under the area rug to improve noise reduction and stop the rugs from shifting around. Choose a mat that matches the size of the rug.
Gypsum Concrete Underlayments
If your floor is too thin, it can be hard to soundproof properly. You can add an extra layer of flooring. Many people lay new laminate or tiles over the existing surface. But if the floor underneath is hollow, that might not help. Gypsum concrete underlayment helps to create a safe and quiet living experience for those in multi-family buildings or apartments. Gypsum concrete is made by mixing gypsum and sand, constituting hydrated calcium sulfate. The concrete comes in powder form and can be mixed on-site with water and sand.
The mixture is applied to the floor of a building providing a soundproof and crack-resistant floor. You can use a gypsum system and a sound mat under any flooring. Installing gypsum underlayment over soundproof mats is a cost-effective solution to prevent noise from traveling through the floor. You can apply gypsum underlayment over old concrete to strengthen the floor. High-resistance gypsum concrete can last longer and maintain its needed sound rating.
Interlocking Floor Mats
Interlocking floor mats can be cut and fit easily into the corners of your house. You only need to buy the design you want and enough quantity to cover your floor. Floor mats are available in various sizes and textures and resemble padded tiles. The edges are designed such that the pieces interlock and fit by the sides. They fit easily on the corners of your house on top of an existing floor.
Interlocking floor mats are easy to clean and durable, making them ideal for studios, garages, rooms, and gyms. These mats offer a partial sound-deadened effect but can achieve a whole lot. You can use the mats alongside other materials, such as carpet and floor underlayment, to achieve a full soundproof effect. With interlocking floor mats, you don’t need to worry about making loud sounds or pulling furniture. The sound will not come up and cannot go down.
Mass Loaded Vinyl
Mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) is a flexible, dense vinyl sheeting filled with tiny metal pieces. The material is thick, making it an excellent soundproofing material. MLV is easy to install as a floor underlayment. Before installation, you should tear the existing material and prepare new flooring. Install MVL as the underlayment for the new floors.
Cut and space the material into one solid piece depending on the size of the room. You can lay the vinyl sheeting in sections for a large room to make the installation more manageable. Use finishing nails or staples to tack the sheeting in place. Before you lay the MLV, you can add a soundproofing compound for better sound reduction. Install the new flooring material once the mass-loaded vinyl is in place.
Find the Best Sound Mat Supplier
Look for a sound mat supplier with experience selling quality soundproofing floor materials. They should have trained applicators who follow strict quality control procedures. Their products should be manufactured in geographically diverse locations for ease of product delivery and cost-efficiency. Choose a supplier with a good reputation for concern, honesty, and integrity.
