Acoustic flooring can make your home quieter. If you want to reduce the noise in your home, then perhaps you're considering floating flooring as a way of achieving this.
Here are 10 things to look out for when choosing acoustic flooring.
1. Why do you need acoustic flooring? Perhaps you're in the process of building a home cinema room, want to reduce the noise of your washing machine or dishwasher, or perhaps you play a musical instrument and want to play more often without disturbing the rest of the household.
2. Is it for a new build or a refurbishment? Most flooring products are designed for either new builds or refurbishments, so you will need to check the products you are considering are suitable. Some floating floors are suitable for both build types.
3. You'll need to be aware of the UK Building Regulations Part E, which cover the acceptable levels of noise in buildings. If your project doesn't meet these regulations, then it won't pass the relevant inspections.
4. Airborne noise is the noise that travels through the air, such as music, or voices. If you want to play your music loud, then you will want good airborne sound protection.
5. Impact noise is the noise created by something impacting against something else. A vibrating washing machine, or footsteps on the stairs, is classed as impact noise. If you wanted to play your drum kit loud, or want to reduce the amount of noise on your stairs, or in upstairs rooms, you'll be looking for flooring that insulated impact noise.
6. Flanking transmission is the sound that passes through walls and floors. This is the sort of noise that can annoy neighbours. In a new build or a refurbishment, you will need to make sure that the noise can't travel too far between rooms.
7. Structural boards can be used as part of the floor itself, and can be used with the existing joists.
8. Special noise reducing joist treatments can be used with structural boards so that the amount of noise heard or felt is minimised. In addition, special insulation can be used with the joists so that the vibrations are reduced as much as possible.
9. Overlay boards are ideal for fitting over an existing wooden, or concrete floor, and can help to dramatically reduce the amount of noise between floors.
10. If the acoustic flooring easy is to fit then you might be able to do it yourself, depending on your skills and experience. If you're not sure you can do it, then make sure that you get it done professionally, so that you know it has been fitted properly, and will give you the protection you need.
Now you know what to look for when choosing acoustic flooring, if you want to make your home quieter, what's stopping you?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_James
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