ImpactoMat 5 is an ultra-thin system that helps reduce unwanted impact noise on concrete floors. It is commonly used in multi-level concrete buildings, such as offices, apartments, hotels, and commercial premises. ImpactoMat is incredibly easy to install by simply attaching to the concrete subfloor. The best performing base for vinyl floors is an acoustic felt, such as the one purposefully designed by our product team.
This type of material is perfect for vinyl, as it is thinner and less dense, so it revives much of the “rebound” you would experience with other materials when using vinyl. When it comes to soundproofing laminate flooring, it is important to consider the Impact Insulation Class (IIC). This rating is determined in laboratories using a threading machine in a room and the higher the IIC value, the better the material will be at dissipating impact noises. In addition to the IIC and STC ratings, the floor assembly also plays an important role in increasing soundproofing.
OSB (oriented fiberboard), MDF (medium density fiberboard), cement board or mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) are all good materials that block sound. To address low-frequency sounds, such as the sounds of bass music, a dampening compound can be added. The green glue-absorbing compound does a great job when applied between two rigid layers (such as 2 OSB plates). Every time the two layers are excited by a sound, the wave will be absorbed by the glue and converted into heat.
The FloorMuffler UltraSeal is an excellent soundproofed subfloor option. It has an IIC rating of 25 and includes a vapor barrier that makes it easy to cut and assemble. Natural cork subfloor is also a great material to work with as it is twice as thick as other materials and absorbs soil irregularities well. However, it's not easy to cut and assemble and crumbles if not handled with care.
For those looking for an economic option, there is one available that has almost all the qualities of its competitor with an IIC rating of 64 and is easy to cut and install. However, it's not much more expensive because of a real gap in quality and ease of installation. Hard floor finishes, including laminate, engineering and tile, must use an elastic layer between soundproofing and floor finishing. We recommend a sheet material, such as a layer or an interlocking MDF.
The layers are fixed with a floor-friendly adhesive, such as Isobond floor adhesive. To prevent possible flanking sound from being transmitted from the floor to the walls, insulate the floor with insulating tape attached to the wall.
