Acoustic Floating Floor Soundproofing

A soundproof floating floor is a flooring system not directly attached (nailed or glued) to the subfloor. Instead, it “floats” over the floor joist or existing flooring, with the decks often using an interlocking tongue-and-groove system. This design helps reduce airborne and impact noise transmission by isolating the flooring from the structure beneath.

Interlocking T&G floating floorboards lock together without being glued or nailed to the subfloor. By isolating the floor surface from the building structure, a floating surface helps reduce the transmission of impact noise (such as footsteps) and airborne noise (such as voices or music).

Soundproof floating floorboards are effective at reducing two primary types of noise:

• Impact noise: Sounds from physical impacts, like walking or moving furniture.
• Airborne noise: Sounds that travel through the air, such as talking, music, or television noise.

Yes, Noisedeck interlocking T&G floating floors can be installed over a variety of subfloors, including:

• Concrete
• Wooden joists
• Existing floors Before installation, ensuring the subfloor is level and stable is essential to maximise the soundproofing benefits.

• Noise reduction: Floating floors help isolate impact and airborne noise from passing through to rooms below.
• Easy installation: Floating floors come with an interlocking system, making them easier to install than traditional glued or nailed floors.
• Structural decoupling: The floating design helps separate the finished floor and the subfloor, reducing noise transfer.
• Versatility: It is suitable for various flooring types and can be installed over different subfloors (e.g., concrete, wooden joists).

When installed with suitable soundproofing materials, floating floors can help meet sound insulation standards like Part E of the Building Regulations in the UK, which sets minimum requirements for airborne and impact noise between floors in new builds and conversions.

A soundproof floating floorboard can significantly reduce both impact and airborne noise, but for optimal performance, it is recommended to combine it with other soundproofing solutions, such as:

• Acoustic ceilings
• Insulation between floor joists

The subfloor should be as level before installing a floating floor to ensure stability and maximise soundproofing. If the subfloor is uneven, it may need to be levelled or repaired before installation, as uneven surfaces can compromise both the soundproofing performance and the durability of the floating floor.

Choosing floating floors with moisture-resistant materials, such as moisture-resistant chipboard or MDF, is essential. Kitchen units and bathrooms are not installed directly onto the floating floor. A plinth below the units raises them to the correct height.

Yes, laying the floating floor before the underfloor heating system is advisable to avoid a reduction in the perfomance of the heating system.