SubFloor's Sound School – Part 2

How Sound Travels

Sound travels between rooms in a building in various ways. Airborne sound refers to sound from, for example, people talking, a TV that’s on, or music. Structure-borne sound refers to sound that travels through the building’s structure. This can include a door closing or slamming, chairs scraping, or the sound of footsteps indoors on floors and stairs. This causes vibrations in the structure, which, depending on the surface layers and materials involved, result in sound that propagates.

Give SubFloor acoustic flooring the right conditions

SubFloor acoustic flooring helps reduce noise in the building. However, it is always important to begin by analyzing where in the building there are vulnerable spots where sound can more easily spread to adjacent rooms—or even farther away—as vibrations travel through the building structure.

Keep in mind that cracks in, for example, floor joists can transmit more sound than expected. It is therefore important to ensure that they are properly sealed. This applies, for example, to installation penetrations or where there is liquid in pipes and heating pipes.

The airtightness of the structure has a significant impact on how sound travels through the building. Create the best possible conditions before installation.

Lay the floor first—then install the walls!

Discover the major benefits of installing SubFloor throughout the entire apartment before the partition walls that define the different rooms are put in place.

• It takes less time to complete the necessary installations for electricity and plumbing, for example. Installers from various trades are provided with significantly better conditions that make their work easier.
• The floor provides a comfortable work surface for the rest of the work in the apartment.
• When the floor is installed beneath the partition walls, noise levels in the apartment below are reduced because the floor disperses the sound over a larger area.

Advice from Acoustics Professionals

Let us at Prästängen Byggsystem assist you as early as possible—preferably as early as the design phase. We’re happy to share the experience and expertise our experts and partners have regarding noise levels and acoustics. We’re happy to serve as consultants and can assist with the measurements needed to carry out the work in the best possible way.

More About Acoustics

This is the second part of our audio series. In the first part, we discussfloor construction for quieter homes, and in the third part, we’ll share some tips and solutions.

More about SubFloor acoustic flooring

Prästängen Byggsystem also offers other solutions for sound-absorbing floors when a low-profile floor is desired. Learn more about Decibel Concept here.