Isomass Systems for Improved Floor Sound Performance
by Mark Row
Why is Sound Insulation Important
Proper sound insulation is equally if not more important than thermal insulation of your home, simply due to the fact that it will not only protect your health but it will also help you comply with the applicable UK regulations regulating obligatory acoustic insulation of residential properties. The basic idea is to create a system that will be able to stop or decrease sound transmission between separated areas within your home, thus keeping it quieter and healthier to live in. This in particular applies to proper floor sound insulation, since the floor surface is a great noise source but also a great transmitter, if not properly insulated and protected. Since laying a thicker carpet will not always do the trick, you will need an extra advice on how to improve floor sound performance, which includes either certain separate measures or specific pre-composited sound insulation systems that may be applied not only during construction but also as a part of a refurbishment project. Well, that is exactly what we are here to discuss, all in order of helping you get the best for your money.
Before moving on to the insulation systems that we would recommend, you need to know a thing or two about most common noise problems. Basically noise can derive and be transmitted in two basic ways: through the air (airborne sound) or through a surface with poor insulation qualities that will sometimes not only transmit a sound but can also enhance it (impact sound). If you understand the problem, then you are aware that it can be dealt with in two basic ways – you can either try to stop the sound (by adding a layer or a material that will block the sound) or by decreasing its volume (by adding a material that will partially absorb the sound so that it is lower once it goes through). You will notice that both techniques can be equally effective, all depending on the surroundings and the frequency and volume of the sound.
About Isomass Insulation Systems
As before mentioned, one way of dealing with the noise problem is by adding a layer of some insulation material to your floor (such as rock wool added under the floorboards and between the floor joists) or by ordering a pre-made composite system that already consists of a few separate layers that will improve your floor sound performance. Although both approaches have their pros, opting for an entire system can sometimes be a less complicated task simply due to the fact that you will be provided with all the information on installation and properties of the system which can have more than one benefit to the entire floor construction. Well, all this can be applied to Isomass systems for improved floor sound performance.
Namely, Isomass has developed a series of composite systems that have been specially designed to reduce sound transmission through all types of floors, including timber, concrete and block floors and different types of floor finishes. All the systems are applicable not only to new build but also to all types of refurbishment and conversion projects, especially listed buildings where minimal structural change is important, alongside the possibility to comply with the Code for Sustainable Homes. They are either designed as overlay platform systems installed directly to floorboards or joists; suspended systems; under screed systems or impact improvement systems which determines the installation method and their basic properties. Isomass has made sure to adapt the systems to different applications, why each system has been carefully designed to follow the specific requirements of each floor type and the result the customer expects to achieve. Thus, some systems available are customized for composite timber or steel joisted floors, other for concrete floors, concrete structural sub-floors, uneven concrete floors or concrete floor decks just as some systems are designed for reducing impact sound transmission while others are made for airborne sound transmission reduction, with distinguished low-frequency damping properties.
Isocheck Shallow Batten Isocheck 32T Floor Insulation Board Isocheck Phonewell
Another good thing is that certain systems also have some thermal properties, meaning that they will not only improve floor sound performance, but also contribute to the overall thermal performance of your household, which brings many important benefits, including money savings and lower carbon footprint and thus improved environmental protection. All Isomass acoustic insulation systems are equipped with detailed installation instructions and are properly certified, complying with sound transmission standards of the Approved Document E of the Building Regulations 2003 and the and subsequent amendments.
Although extremly important, sound insulation is not only important for your floors, but also for the rest of your home construction, why Isomass also offers a number of systems, designed for walls, roofs and ceilings sound insulation, which can be all found right here at Insulation Shop. For more information, please refer to the given information on the specific system you are acquiring.
For more information about Isomass soundproofing systems please read the product specifications and follow the manufacturers instructions. Feel free to contact us with your questions and to leave a comment.