| Acoustical Source Noise Control Solutions for Soundproofing and Acoustic Applications |
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SOUNDPROOFING A FLOOR
Noise Control Solutions
for Floors
It is common for people who live in condos to hear the sounds of those living below. Voices, footsteps, stereos, dogs barking, and even loud appliances make noises that can easily transfer from one living area to another. Soundproofing the floor of your condo can eliminate this noisy intrusion and make your living space more peaceful and quiet.Before we recommend a product to block the noise, let’s find out what kind of noise is causing your problem. There are two types of noise to be considered, airborne and impact.
Problem – Airborne Noise
Are you bothered primarily by airborne noise (noise traveling through the air)? This includes sounds made by TVs, stereos, voices and loud appliances. These sounds can be quite loud, especially if the object making the noise is close to your floor, their ceiling.Problem - Impact Noise
Is impact noise a problem for you? The second type of sound, impact noise, occurs when one object actually comes in contact with another. The most common impact noise is footfall, the sound of people walking around, but it could also be from objects being moved or rolled across the floor, or vibrations such as those from a washer or dryer.Problem - Airborne and Impact Noise
Do you hear both impact and airborne noise coming from your neighbors? It isn’t unusual for both kinds of sound to travel through a floor to an adjacent living area. If this is the case, a combination of materials may be needed to solve your problem.Click on your noise problem below.
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The Solution to Your Airborne Noise Problem
A mass-loaded vinyl barrier is the best material for blocking airborne sound. This vinyl material has been "fortified" with a heavy substance so that sound cannot pass through it. American Micro Industries has several kinds of mass-loaded vinyl barriers, some heavier and with more sound-blocking capabilities than others. Let’s find out which one will solve your noise problem.QUIET BARRIER ™ – is an ideal one-step solution for airborne noise soundproofing. It will effectively block 85% – 90% of the airborne noise from traveling through a floor. This dense, limp-mass vinyl material, 1/4 inch thick and weighing 2 lbs. per sq. ft., is 6dB more effective than a sheet of lead at blocking sound. It will significantly lower the transmission of sound between two spaces and is effective at blocking a wide range of sounds, especially those in the lower ranges such as voices and heavy bass. QUIET BARRIER ™ can be used to reduce noise transmission through floors. It comes in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets with or without a peel-and-stick backing and in 4 1/2 ft. x 20 ft. rolls.
Features and Benefits of QUIET BARRIER ™
- Material: Mass-loaded vinyl barrier
- Appearance: Smooth finish, charcoal black
- Characteristics: Dense, limp-mass vinyl, 1/4 inch thick, weight 2 lb. per sq.ft.
- Applications: To be used as an integral part of a floor system
- Reduces airborne noise transmission through floors
- Sound Absorption: Effectively blocks 85% – 90% of airborne sound coming through the floor
- Especially effective at blocking sounds in lower ranges such as voices and heavy bass
- Comes in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets with or without a peel-and-stick backing
- Comes in rolls 4 1/2 ft. x 20 ft. long
- Flammability: UL94V0 - On a vertical specimen the barrier stops burning within 10 seconds; no drips allowed
- Cuts easily with heavy duty snips
ECONO BARRIER ™ – This 1/8 inch thick material is a lighter weight (1 lb. per sq. ft.) mass-loaded vinyl barrier product. It will effectively block 65% – 70% of the airborne noise from traveling through a floor. It is also more effective than a sheet of lead at blocking sound and will lower the transmission of sound between two spaces. It is effective at blocking a wide range of sounds, especially those in the lower ranges, but if loud noise is a problem, this product may not be sufficient. In that case, consider the heavier QUIET BARRIER ™ material. ECONO BARRIER ™ comes in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets with or without the peel-and-stick backing, and rolls 4 1/2 ft. x 20 ft., 30 ft. and 60 ft. long.
Features and Benefits of ECONO BARRIER ™
- Material: Mass-loaded vinyl barrier
- Appearance: Smooth finish, charcoal black
- Characteristics: Dense, limp-mass vinyl, 1/8 inch thick, weight 1 lb. per sq.ft.
- Applications: To be used as an integral part of a floor system
- Reduces airborne noise transmission through floors
- Sound Absorption: Effectively blocks 65% to 70% of airborne sound coming through the floor; normal conversation and mid frequency sounds
- Comes in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets with or without a peel-and-stick backing
- Comes in rolls 4 1/2 ft. x 20 ft., and 30 ft. long
- Flammability: UL94V0 Flame Rated – On a vertical specimen the barrier product stops burning within 10 seconds; no drips allowed
- Cuts easily with heavy duty snips
Floor Installation Instructions
QUIET BARRIER ™ or ECONO BARRIER ™
The QUIET BARRIER ™ or ECONO BARRIER ™ material would be placed over your existing hardwood, linoleum, tile, or other hard surface floor. Then a new floor would be installed on top.- First, remove the baseboard trim.
- Next, roll out the BARRIER material, staple down, and seal the seams with Vinyl Barrier Tape.
- If 3% of the area is not covered, as much as 50% of the sound can pass through so it is important to seal (caulk) around the perimeter of the room with Acoustic Sealant.
- Then install the new flooring following the manufacturer’s recommended instructions. Finally, replace baseboard.
- If you already have carpet on the floor, remove baseboard, carpet and padding.
- Then roll out the QUIET BARRIER ™ or ECONO BARRIER ™ material.
- Staple to the sub-floor, and seal the seams with Vinyl Barrier Tape.
- Seal (caulk) around the edge of the room with Acoustic Sealant.
- Re-lay the padding and carpet.
- Finish by installing the baseboard.
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The Solution to Your Impact Noise Problem
Do you tiptoe around your apartment for fear of disturbing those who live downstairs? Does your toddler, riding his tricycle, send a traveling rumble across the ceiling below? Trying to "live quietly" puts limits on the things you do and creates stress for you and your downstairs neighbors. When you soundproof the floor of your condo, life becomes so much easier. Your toddler can ride and you can walk. Why you might even practice a few dance steps or run on the treadmill, because nobody down there will ever know.Back To Top
The Solution for Airborne and Impact Noise
For many condo owners, the sound that comes through the floor is not limited to one type. The construction of the building is such that both impact and airborne noises penetrate through the floors and the result is loss of privacy and strained relations between neighbors. By soundproofing the floor with materials from American Micro Industries you can block both types of noise very effectively. The result will be quiet at home and peace of mind.Solution # 1:
A mass loaded vinyl barrier is the best solution for blocking airborne sound. This vinyl material has been impregnated or "fortified" with a heavy substance so that sound cannot pass through it. Using a mass-loaded vinyl barrier such as QUIET BARRIER ™ will block the airborne sound of voices and music, especially low bass.Features and Benefits of QUIET BARRIER ™
- Material: Mass-loaded vinyl barrier
- Appearance: Smooth finish, charcoal black
- Characteristics: Dense, limp-mass vinyl, 1/4 inch thick, weight 2 lb. per sq.ft.
- Applications: To be used as an integral part of a floor system
- Reduces airborne noise transmission through floors
- Sound Absorption: Effectively blocks 85% – 90% of airborne sound coming through the floor
- Especially effective at blocking sounds in lower ranges such as voices and heavy bass
- Comes in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets with or without a peel-and-stick backing
- Comes in rolls 4 1/2 ft. x 20 ft. long
- Flammability: UL94V0 - On a vertical specimen the barrier stops burning within 10 seconds; no drips allowed
- Cuts easily with heavy duty snips
Floor Installation Instructions
QUIET BARRIER ™
The QUIET BARRIER ™ material would be placed over your existing hardwood, linoleum, tile, or other hard surface floor. Then a new floor would be installed on top.- First, remove the baseboard trim.
- Next, roll out the BARRIER material, staple down, and seal the seams with Vinyl Barrier Tape.
- If 3% of the area is not covered, as much as 50% of the sound can pass through so it is important to seal (caulk) around the perimeter of the room with Acoustic Sealant.
- Then install the new flooring following the manufacturer’s recommended instructions. Finally, replace baseboard.
- If you already have carpet on the floor, remove baseboard, carpet and padding.
- Then roll out the QUIET BARRIER ™ material.
- Staple to the sub-floor, and seal the seams with Vinyl Barrier Tape.
- Seal (caulk) around the edge of the room with Acoustic Sealant.
- Re-lay the padding and carpet.
- Finish by installing the baseboard.
Solution # 2:
The acoustic vinyl barrier composite is an ideal one-step solution for soundproofing. It combines the sound deadening properties of open cell polyurethane foam with the sound transmission and vibration dampening properties of a mass-loaded vinyl barrier. American Micro Industries has two such products available for residential applications. Both of these products will significantly reduce the amount of sound passing through a floor/ceiling to the occupied spaces on the other side.VALUE BARRIER ™ is an economical composite used for light duty application where conversation and media noise from TVs and stereos are the primary problem. It has a 1/2 lb. barrier laminated to 1/2 inch foam and is available with or without a peel–and–stick adhesive backing. This product comes in 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets.
Both of these products can be secured to an existing hard surface floor with carpet tape or our Power Grab ™ Adhesive. Then a new floor surface would be installed on top, following the flooring manufacturer’s instructions.
If you are unsure which product to use for your specific problem, call one of our technicians at 800-558-2058 for assistance.
Which ever product you choose, you will be taking a step toward peace of mind and quiet at home. You’re part of the Quiet Revolution.
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