Types and Uses
The importance of acoustic insulation is well recognised and in many instances is covered by regulation. For new developments, sound insulation is installed to tackle noise transmission between rooms of the same building, and to protect the occupants from environmental noise outside.
A need for additional insulation might arise when an existing building is being refurbished, perhaps to add a home cinema – or to cut down on intrusive noise from a neighbour.
Some products are suitable for both new build and renovation projects, while others are more specific. Solutions are available for both wall and floor applications.
Insulation requirements for new builds are set out in building regulations Approved Document E. If constructors use products that meet or exceed the Robust Details specification, there is no need for sound testing.
Where to buy acoustic insulation
- TVS Acoustics Ltd - Low Bay, Commerce Street, Commerce Street, Carrs Industrial Estate, Haslingden, Lancashire, BB4 5JT, 01706 260 220
- Knauf Ceiling Solutions Ltd - Telford Drive, Tollgate Industrial Estate, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 3ST
- The Insta Group - Insta House, Ivanhoe Road, Hogwood business Park, Finchampstead, Berkshire, RG40 4PZ, 0800 526 023
- Custom Audio Designs Ltd - 5 Ridgeway Office Park, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3QF, 01730 269572
- Saint-Gobain Isover UK Limited - Saint-Gobain House, East Leake, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 6JU, 0800 0322 555
- Sound Reduction Systems Ltd - Adam Street, Off Lever Street, Bolton, Lancashire, BL3 2AP, 01204 380074
- Euroform Products Ltd - The Heliport, Lyncastle Road, Appleton, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 4SN, 01925 860999
- Hush Acoustics Limited - 44 Canal Street, South Sefton, Merseyside, L20 8QU, 0151 933 2026
- Quietstone UK Ltd - Nab Quarry, Pott Shrigley, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 5SD, (0) 1260 253253
- Trim Acoustics Ltd - Unit 4, Leaside Industrial Estate, Stockingswater Lane, Enfield, Greater London, EN3 7PH, 020 8443 0099
- Build Check Ltd - Montrose House, Lancaster Road, Cressex Business Park, Buckinghamshire, HP12 3PY, 01494 452713
- Soundsorba Ltd - 27 – 29 Desborough Street, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2LZ, 01494 536888
I have between 14mm and 16mm in space to lay thermal insulation between a concrete floor and floating wooden floor.
Q1) Is there a thermal insulation this thin on the market that also prodvides acoustic insulation?
Q2) Can I lay the floating floor directly over this insulation?
I would appreciate any guidance on this matter.
Thanks,
Simon
You do not say what type of floating wooden floor you are using, but I’m guessing it’s either tongue and grooved hardwood planks or a composite laminate plank floor. Nor do you say whether the concrete floor is a ground floor or an upper floor...
Let’s for arguments sake assume it is an upper floor separating flats. If you only have 15mm zone within which to meet both acoustic and thermal requirements your choices are very limited and the solutions more expensive.
There is one super thin insulation product (Silica gel based-derived from Space Shuttle technology) that I know of which is certainly used for walls but equally may be adapted for floors.
This is available in 5mm thick increments from a well known UK based group.
Talk to the manufacturer about your requirements.
So you may be able to use this product in combination with a more robust rubber resilient underlay on top of the concrete (provided it’s floated pretty smooth).
There are numerous suppliers in the UK which will enable compliance with Robust Detail Standards for Part E for airborne and impact sound.
Don’t try and re-invent the wheel here! Have a look at Robust Details which can be proven to meet all requirements.
Leigh Tugwood - Architect - www.ap-studio.co.uk
Hi Leigh,
Thanks for your response.
The flooring is strand woven bamboo and the concrete floor is in the basement.
So, acoustic insulation is not as important as if I was living above another tenant.
Thanks for your advice as it was very helpful.
Simon
Hi
I am looking to get something to absorb sound in a metal skin portacabin.
I am planning to lay carpet with an underlay, but wondered if there are any suitable baffle / acoustic board products available that I could fix to the internal walls? Anything I use would need to be quite hard wearing / impact resistant as it will be in a high use area.
Kind regards
Joanne
Joanne,
There are a number of products on the market that would be suitable. Acoustic GRG Products Ltd featured above offers a first class solution called The Absorber.Please contact Matthew at GRG Tel: 01303 230944 for further details.
ReSpace Acoustics also offers bespoke sound insulation systems and it may be also worth contacting the sales team Tel: 08448 844011 to discuss your requirements.
Kind regards
Debbie Prince -The Construction Centre
What decibel reading difference is there between 25mm fibre glass and 50mm fibre glass when used in an internal cavity wall?