Laminate Flooring & Sound Transmission

Causes

• Though laminate itself contributes to high sound transmission in buildings, poor installation of underlayment and sub-flooring are additional culprits. Adhesive and sealants used during installation also effect sound transmission in laminate flooring. A lack of underlaying or the presence of poorly installed insulation amplifies scraping, thumping, footsteps and other annoying sounds coming through laminate floorboards.

Solutions

• Install a floor underlay that is specifically designed to reduce sound transmission. The laminate floor should rest above the underlayment, and should not be attached with nails, glue or other fixings. Avoid packing laminate against tight corners, or in areas next to piping and base moulding. Materials that serve as underlay for laminate flooring include foam padding, cork, felt and vinyl.

Types

• Standard foam is the most common underlayment for laminate flooring. However, this type of insulation alone is thin and lacks resistance to moisture. It also offers minimal sound reduction. Cork provides more adequate insulation since it tends to absorb rather than diminish sound. The multiple pores in cork pull in and break up sound waves, effectively soundproofing laminate flooring. Vinyl underlay with foam backing significantly reduces sound transmission and provides added cushioning. Underlayment with acoustical benefits -- insulation that dampens hollow sound from tapping and clicking on laminate flooring -- come in felt and cork materials. Attach a moisture barrier to acoustical or foam underlayment. This will prevent moisture from creeping through the subfloor and damaging the laminate on the surface.

Considerations

• If you happen to live on an upper floor and want to lay down laminate flooring, consult your downstairs neighbor on the noise level. Identify areas in her apartment that have adequate or poor sound insulation. Based on your assessment, decide whether installing laminate floors will be a sensible decision or unnecessary headache. Typically, apartments must be designed with substantial underlayment in the floor structures to produce high sound transmission class (STC) rating. For instance, satisfactory insulation in laminate flooring and other building components should produce STC score of at least 50, according to the architectural and engineering firm EVstudio.