Subtleties of soundproofing and soundproofing of the floor. Soundproofing the floor in an apartment: technologies and materials Soundproofing the floor from airborne noise

Before answering the question of how to soundproof the floor in an apartment, you should briefly talk about why it is needed. It is generally accepted that these works, first of all, protect your neighbors below from impact noise: the sound of footsteps, rearranged furniture, falling objects, etc. This statement is true, but does not reflect all the benefits received.

Properly performed heat and sound insulation of the floor (and both of these effects are provided by one design) provides you with comfortable living conditions due to the fact that:

1. Prevents the penetration of airborne noise (human speech, music, barking dogs) from the rooms below, which is especially important for apartments located above shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.
2. Muffles impact noise and prevents it from spreading throughout the apartment.
3. Reduces heat loss, providing a “warm floor” effect even without additional heating.

Soundproofing the floor in an apartment with modern materials

Effective floor sound insulation is a cake made up of several layers, each of which performs a specific function. Only a correctly selected and installed structure will ensure reliable protection from both types of noise (shock and airborne), will withstand high loads, and will retain its characteristics throughout the entire period of operation.

The composition of such a “pie” necessarily includes the following components:

1. Vibration decoupling. Performed around the perimeter of the room. Prevents the passage of mechanical vibrations from the massive slab of floating screed to the walls. Can be installed using damper tape or strips mineral wool density from 70 kg/m 3, thickness about 10 mm.
2. Sound-absorbing layer. Dissipates a sound wave, converting the energy of mechanical vibrations of air into thermal energy. It is located between the interfloor slab and the massive shell of the floating screed. It is formed by laying dense fibrous material in a continuous layer, without gaps or voids. Floor soundproofing slabs are made from mineral raw materials, do not rot, and are fireproof.
3. Sound reflecting layer. Redirects the remaining sound wave back deep into the sound-absorbing material, almost completely eliminating the possibility of penetration airborne noise from the neighbors below. Due to its high density, it effectively dampens the energy of impact noise. It can be manufactured using “wet” (pouring a sand-cement mixture) and “dry” (laying GVLV or high-density gypsum board) technology.

When using “wet” methods, the “pie” is supplemented with waterproofing, placed between a massive slab and a sound-absorbing layer.

Which sound insulation to choose for the floor

I would like to point out right away that there is no such thing as the best soundproofing of the floor in an apartment. Depending on the condition of the room, the nature and level of noise, “wet” and dry technologies can be used for sound insulation. For each type, there are several options for soundproofing the floor using various materials.

Cement-sand screed

“Wet” technologies can be recommended for use in new buildings, when carrying out major repairs or reconstruction of secondary housing apartments. Their distinctive feature is that a massive slab of floating screed is formed by pouring sand-cement mortar. If it is critical to reduce repair time, then a wet mixture (“semi-dry” method) is used, which can significantly (from 10 to 2 days) reduce the drying time.

With the correct selection of soundproofing materials for the floor, “wet” technologies provide high Rw values. Concrete floating screed also copes well with impact noise and significant mechanical loads.

For premises where it has already been completed redecorating, “wet” processes may not be applicable. In this case, when soundproofing the floor, use various options dry technologies.

Sound insulation with prefabricated floating screed

For smooth interfloor floors, a prefabricated floating screed is well suited. It requires minimal labor costs and resists medium and low-frequency airborne noise quite well. The essence of the technology is that a massive screed slab is formed from two layers of GVLV, laid on a substrate made of sound-absorbing fibrous material with a density of at least 70 kg/m 3 . In this case, the thickness of the mineral wool used for soundproofing the floor must be at least 50 mm.

One of the variations of this method is the installation of a floating screed on logs - wooden beams attached to the interfloor ceiling using vibration supports. This method allows you to use mineral wool of lower density, which better copes with high-frequency air noise.

Sound insulation in Knauf dry floors

In old houses, there are often interfloor ceilings that have significant differences in level or various irregularities. In such situation The best way soundproofing the floor in an apartment, with minimal labor and expense expensive materials, usage KNAUF technologies Superpol. It involves the use of backfill with fine-grained expanded clay, which allows you to quickly eliminate unevenness and differences in height up to 100 mm or more. The absence of “wet” processes ensures high installation speed - about 40 m 2 per shift

How to properly soundproof the floor in an apartment under a sand-cement screed

Work on soundproofing a concrete floor in an apartment by installing floating sand cement screed include the following steps:

1. Removing sagging and other irregularities from the surface of the interfloor ceiling that can damage the sound-absorbing layer.
2. Dust removal - use an industrial vacuum cleaner.
3. Taping the walls around the perimeter of the room with damper tape. The vibration decoupler should protrude slightly above the level of the future finished floor.
4. Laying a noise-absorbing layer. The slabs of mineral fiber material must be spaced evenly, without gaps, voids or deformations.
5. Waterproofing is ensured by laying a polyethylene film with a thickness of 0.25 mm or more. The strips of material are laid with an overlap of 200 mm and an overlap of about 100 mm on the walls.
6. Reinforcement – ​​ensures the strength and long service life of the sand-cement screed. Polymer or metal grid with a cell no more than 150x150 mm.
7. Installation of beacons to ensure the horizontality of the formed floor. The supports for the lighthouses are made from the same sand-cement mixture that is planned to be used when pouring the screed.
8. Pouring sand-cement mortar with a thickness of at least 40 mm.
9. Vibration compaction of the poured mixture is necessary to remove air bubbles and ensure uniformity of the mass.
10. Drying the screed – depending on the technology, can take from 3 to 7 days. At high temperatures and dry weather, the surface should be covered with film or a layer of wet sawdust to avoid drying out too quickly, which could weaken the strength of the structure.
11. Pouring the self-leveling mixture, evenly distributing it over the surface using a needle roller.
12. Laying the final floor covering.
13. Trimming protruding parts of vibration isolation and waterproofing.

Materials used for soundproofing an apartment for installing a floating sand-cement floor screed

The following materials can be used for the sound-absorbing layer:

Rockwool Floor BUTTS

Thermosound insulation

Noise stop K2

Noise stop C2

In addition to polyethylene film, membranes can be used to form a waterproofing gasket. Due to their high cost, their use is justified only in cases where it is necessary to further improve the characteristics of a floating sand-cement screed in terms of resistance to impact noise. Some “masters” recommend using a membrane instead of mineral wool, positioning it as thin floor sound insulation. This is mistake. The membrane will not provide effective reduction of airborne noise levels. Thus, the neighbors below will not hear your steps, but you will hear their loud conversations, music, etc. sounds - yes.

Schumanet-100Hydro

Soundproofing

TechnoNIKOL

How to properly soundproof the floor in an apartment using a prefabricated screed

Soundproofing the floor in an apartment using the dry screed method can be done with your own hands if you have certain practical skills and the necessary tools. Installation of the system using sound-absorbing boards with a density higher than 70 kg/m 3 is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Dust and debris are removed from the surface of the interfloor ceiling.
2. Several slabs of mineral wool are cut into strips 10 mm thick, which are laid along the walls around the perimeter of the room to provide vibration isolation. The upper edge of the strips should protrude slightly above the level of the future finished floor.
3. Sound-absorbing material slabs are laid on the interfloor ceiling in such a way that there are no cavities or gaps between them.
4. The sound-absorbing layer is covered with sheets of GVLV or OSB boards in two layers so that the upper ones overlap the joints of the lower level. The layers are fastened with self-tapping screws of such length that they do not pierce the sound-absorbing layer. Instead of GVLV or OSB sheets, you can use KNAUF Superfloor boards. They have protrusions for connection, which are coated with glue during installation. On the side of the walls, the projections are cut off. After laying, the slabs are fastened to each other with self-tapping screws, and the seams are sealed with putty.
5. Floor decorative covering is being laid.

The protruding parts of the vibration decoupler are cut off with a construction knife

Materials for prefabricated screed

Noise-absorbing layer

Rockwool Floor BUTTS

Thermosound insulation

Noise stop K2

Noise stop C2

Massive screed plate

OSB board

Knauf superfloor 20 mm

Prefabricated screed on joists

When using mineral wool with a density below 70 kg/m3 as a sound-absorbing layer, it is impossible to lay a massive slab of floating screed directly on it. During operation, the mineral wool will sag, which will lead to deformation of the floor. To eliminate such risks, the design of the prefabricated screed is supplemented with lags - wooden beams, which are attached to the interfloor ceiling through a damper tape or using special vibration supports. Sound-absorbing boards are laid between the joists. Otherwise, the installation process is similar to that described above for the prefabricated screed.

How to properly soundproof a floor in the presence of significant unevenness or large differences in floor level

1. Vibration decoupling is done around the perimeter of the room using a damper tape or strips of high-density (more than 70 kg/m3) mineral wool.
2. Beacons are installed on the interfloor ceiling, which determine the level of backfill.
3. The backfill is carried out with fine-grained expanded clay, which is carefully leveled and compacted until a dense horizontal substrate is obtained.
4. Beacons are removed.
5. GVLV are laid in one layer on an expanded clay substrate.
6. A noise-absorbing layer is formed. Mineral fiber boards are arranged tightly, without deformations or gaps.
7. Knauf Superpol panels are installed. At the junction points, the protruding elements are coated with glue and additionally fastened with drywall screws. On the side of the walls, the projections are cut off. The seams between the panels are sealed with putty.
8. A layer of GVLV is laid on KNAUF Superfloor in such a way that the sheets overlap the seams of the lower level. GVLV is attached to KNAUF Superpol panels with self-tapping screws. The seams are sealed with putty.
9. The finishing decorative flooring is being laid.
10. The protruding parts of the vibration decoupler are cut off.

Materials

In the presence of large irregularities on the interfloor ceiling the best solution will be used KNAUF systems Superpol. The procedure for installing sound insulation in this case will be as follows:

Conclusion

It should be remembered that for an unprepared person, soundproofing the floor in an apartment with your own hands can result in unnecessary costs money and time, without a guarantee of obtaining a quality result. The amount of work that professionals will complete in one working day may take you a week. In addition, a qualified specialist will be able to accurately determine what kind of sound insulation would be better suited for the floor in a specific apartment.

One more tip. Don’t get too carried away with saving space by insisting on subtle solutions. The optimal thickness of floor sound insulation (without taking into account the massive floating screed slab) is 40 - 50 mm. Such a layer of noise-absorbing material can effectively absorb sound waves, which is especially important if the apartment is located above a restaurant, cafe or other commercial facility.

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IN modern conditions living for the majority of the population it can be difficult to isolate themselves from the outside world in an apartment in apartment building. This is due to the fact that during construction apartment buildings the issue of sound insulation is not in the first place, since the use of new technologies and materials that can absorb external noise leads to higher construction costs. Often you have to deal with soundproofing your home yourself. Soundproofing the floor in an apartment, features of the device for different bases and types of floor coverings, a review of prices for the most popular ones, as well as leading manufacturers of the materials used - the topic of this article in the online magazine HomeMyHome.

For high-quality sound insulation, it is necessary to think through this issue at the execution stage. construction work in relation to all enclosing structures (walls, interfloor ceilings, etc.)

Sound insulation (noise insulation) is measures to reduce the level of noise penetrating from outside into inner space premises, structures or vehicle, through the use of special materials - both during the manufacture of a product and the execution of construction installation work, and upon their completion during the repair period.

Currently, three types of materials are used to soundproof floors: soundproofing membranes, roll and slab products.

Important! When using any of the soundproofing materials when performing installation work, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the method of their application and installation, which will ensure the specified protection against the penetration of external noise into the interior of the insulated room.

Soundproofing membranes

The following materials are used as a soundproofing membrane mounted on the floor base:

The most widely used of the above materials as sound insulation are felt and special membranes. Their advantages are:

• small thickness, allowing to slightly reduce the internal volume of the room where they are installed;
• high density;
• ease of use (cutting, laying);
• elasticity;
• There are modifications equipped with a self-adhesive layer, which simplifies the installation process;
• can act as a heat-insulating material;
• long service life.

Among the disadvantages of membranes, the following should be noted:

• high cost;
• the need for careful implementation preparatory work to create a flat surface for the base on which installation is performed.

Rolled version of soundproofing material

In the form of rolls, manufacturing companies produce the following types of soundproofing materials:

• "Vibrostek-V300"– made on the basis of class “C” fiberglass and can be used as a substrate when installing floor coverings;

• "Maxforte"– can be installed under the finishing coating and under the screed, and also act as waterproofing;

• "Zvukoizol" is a bitumen-polymer material that can also act as waterproofing.

Metallized sound insulation - roll, two-layer

Plate materials

The most popular in this group are:

• mineral wool– characterized by versatility of use and non-flammability. Negative properties include hygroscopicity;

• cork panels and tiles– they are environmentally friendly products, but require care when performing installation work, as they are easily destroyed when exposed to “tearing”;

• expanded polystyrene– a fairly popular material, due to its relatively low cost;

• fiberglass panels "SCHUMANET";

• Isoplat– insulating panels made from wood processing waste.

Expert's point of view

Dmitry Kholodok

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“As selection criteria when choosing a soundproofing material, it is necessary to take as a basis the operating conditions for a particular room (humidity, fire hazard), as well as the service life and availability of the material itself, both in terms of ease of transportation to the construction site and its cost.”

Related article:

Leading manufacturers of soundproofing for floors

On the domestic market building materials In the segment of soundproofing products, products of foreign and Russian companies are sold, the most popular among users are:

• "MaxForte", "TechnoNikol", "TechnoSonus" and "AcousticGroup" (Russia);
• "WolfBavaria (Germany);
• "Texdecor" (France);
• "Rockwool" (Denmark);
• "Mappy" (Italy);
• "IsoverEcophon" (Sweden - Finland);

Features of soundproofing the floor in an apartment from neighbors below in accordance with the flooring material

Depending on the type of floor covering, one or another soundproofing material is selected, because different types Similar products are mounted differently.

Soundproofing floors under laminate

Laminate is a floor covering made from a wood fiber base and requires a flat surface for installation.Before laying the laminate, a backing is always laid, which conceals the remaining unevenness on the surface of the base and helps distribute the loads over its surface.

The substrate can also perform the function of sound insulation, therefore, in this capacity, as a rule, cork materials and Isoplast are used, and when laying in wet areas- “Soundproof”.

Soundproofing floors under linoleum

When using linoleum as a finishing floor covering, various types of soundproofing materials can be used, and the main condition for their use is their strength and ability to withstand mechanical loads.

The most popular for this type of coating is “Zvukoizol”, which is due to its physical properties (moisture resistance and strength), as well as its small thickness.

The best sound insulation for floors under ceramic tiles

Porcelain tiles are usually used as flooring in bathrooms and shower rooms, as well as in the kitchen and other rooms where there is a high level of humidity.

Zvukoizol, Maxforte, SCHUMANET and Vibrostek-V300 are usually used as soundproofing materials for ceramic tiles.

For your information! Extruded polystyrene and expanded clay can be used as sound insulation when laying porcelain stoneware. After filling them, it is necessary to fill the leveling screed.

Soundproofing a wooden floor

The choice of sound insulation when laying a wooden floor depends on its design and the height of the ceilings in the room where the work is being carried out.At low ceilings The same materials can be used as for laminate insulation.The most common option, if there is sufficient headroom, is to use mineral wool laid between the joists on which the wooden floor is laid.

Expert's point of view

Dmitry Kholodok

Technical director of the repair and construction company "ILASSTROY"

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“When using mineral wool, it is necessary to follow the technology of its installation, which requires the presence of layers of vapor and waterproofing.”

Related article:

Optimal sound insulation for different types of base

The choice of material used as sound insulation is influenced by both the finishing flooring, as described above, and the type of base on which it is laid.For various types The bases for the sound insulation device scheme differ, so they should be considered separately.

Soundproofing the floor in an apartment under a “floating” screed

For your information! A floating screed is a special method of laying flooring without rigidly fixing the materials used to the enclosing building structures (walls, ceilings).

The floating screed is made on top of a soundproofing layer, which can be used as the following materials: special types membranes and mineral wool, cork products and polystyrene foam.

The diagram of the “floating screed” device is shown in the following figure:

Expert's point of view

Dmitry Kholodok

Technical director of the repair and construction company "ILASSTROY"

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“When installing a “floating screed” it is necessary to take into account technical capabilities and load-bearing capacity of the floor: specific gravity of such a design is quite large, which is due to the thickness of the screed with the reinforcement layer.”

Soundproofing the floor in an apartment on a dry and cement screed

In some cases, soundproofing the floor in an apartment can be done by installing a dry screed.With this option of performing work, the use of water and aqueous solutions is excluded.

Perlite, expanded clay or vermiculite are used as sound insulation, poured onto the surface of the interfloor ceiling, and plywood or other slab material is laid on top of them.

For your information! When performing dry screeds, other rolled and sheet materials.

The dry screed pattern is a “pie” laid in the following sequence: base → vapor barrier layer → sound insulation layer → leveling layer (plywood and the like) → waterproofing → floor covering.

When installing a screed using cement mortars, this option for performing the work is called a semi-dry or wet screed.In this case, materials that are resistant to moisture are used to construct a soundproofing layer: expanded clay, expanded polystyrene or “Zvukoizol”.

Related article:

It will help in solving the problem of crooked floors. Pros and cons, reviews, price of this type of coating, installation features and recommendations from specialists are in this material.

Soundproofing of frame floors on joists

As already written above, wooden floors are mounted on the joists. In this case, they are used as sound insulation different kinds slab, roll and sheet materials laid between the joists.

The design of such a cake also includes steam and waterproofing, a leveling layer (plywood) and finishing.

How to soundproof a floor in an apartment

It is better to entrust the work of installing sound insulation in an apartment to professionals, however, if desired, you can do it yourself.

When performing floor soundproofing work with your own hands, you must:

1. Decide on the type of soundproofing material used and calculate its quantity required to complete the work.
2. Prepare necessary tools and devices.
3. Prepare the basis for the work.

Important! The base on which it is planned to install sound insulation must be cleared of construction debris and dust, and, if necessary, leveled.

To perform work with different soundproofing materials, you need various instrument, therefore, its list is determined individually in each specific case.

Expert's point of view

Dmitry Kholodok

Technical director of the repair and construction company "ILASSTROY"

Ask a Question

Unfortunately, apartments in multi-storey buildings have very low level soundproofing. This is especially true for buildings built from reinforced concrete panels. Not only do the interior wall panels themselves have a very small thickness, but they also structural structure does not contribute to the absorption of sound, and some of their components are even its conductor, for example, fittings. Therefore, soundproofing the floor in an apartment has become an urgent necessity for many.

Not so long ago it was very difficult, and sometimes almost impossible, to purchase materials for sound insulation, and apartment owners came up with different ways protect your home from loud music or emotional conversations of neighbors. Old carpets, leftover styrofoam packaging, and even egg trays were used.

Today, construction stores have a huge selection of various soundproofing materials, and craftsmen offer numerous ways to construct a soundproofing system. To choose the option that is more suitable for a particular room, you need to consider the characteristics of some of them, and how they fit into the room. concrete floor.

Kinds sound insulators and how to install them

Not every soundproofing material is suitable for a particular apartment. For example, to create a sound-absorbing system using wooden sheathing, you must have enough high ceilings. The sheathing will be at least five centimeters in height, plus the thickness of the plywood laid on top - and the volume of the room will be significantly reduced, the ceiling will be lower. Therefore, in this case, you need to choose materials that have a small thickness and, at the same time, greater noise absorption efficiency.

Soundproofing MaxForte

Floor sound insulation for floating screeds is made using modern MaxForte materials. Each material has its own installation characteristics.

MaxForte Shumoizol. The rolls are spread with the soft side on the floor, the edges are placed on the walls. After work, all excess can be easily cut off. The joints between the rolls are coated liquid rubber MaxForte Hydrostop.

Advantages:

1. Impact noise level reduction 27 dB.
2. The material does not tear or crack during installation due to the addition of imported plasticizers to the composition.
3. Can be used as waterproofing, the material is waterproof.
4. The material can be used for dry screed and under laminate.

MaxForte Shumoizol

MaxForteSoundPro. Installation is carried out by analogy with Shumoizol: the edges are placed on the walls, the rolls themselves are overlapped by 5 cm, and the joints between them are coated with MaxForte Hydrostop liquid rubber. Next, the construction film is laid. This is done so that the screed solution does not penetrate into the sound insulation layer.

Advantages:

1. Impact noise level reduction 34 dB.
2. Reduction of airborne noise level 10 dB.
3. Rolls are resistant to moisture. Not subject to rotting.
4. Belongs to sound absorption class “A” out of five possible.
5. The material does not attract rodents.

MaxForte SoundPro

MaxForte EcoPlate 110 kg/m 3. To begin with, MaxForte tape is laid around the perimeter in two layers. The slabs are placed on the floor close to each other and covered with construction film.

Advantages:

1. Belongs to sound absorption class “A” out of five possible.
2. Completely non-flammable material.
3. Does not contain phenol resins.
4. Due to the optimally selected density of 110 kg/m 3, the screed does not spring and will not burst over time.
5. Sound insulation at 36-38 dB.

If it turns out that the apartment already has a screed, or it is an old housing stock where the ceiling simply cannot withstand the heavy weight of the screed, then effective option the floor will be on joists.

In this case it applies MaxForte EcoPlate 60 kg/m3.

MaxForte EcoPlate 60 kg

Advantages:

1. Belongs to sound absorption class “A” out of five possible.
2. Completely non-flammable material.
3. Does not contain phenol resins.
4. Does not attract insects and rodents
5. The boards are resistant to moisture. Not subject to rotting.

MaxForte EcoPlate

« Texound »

Characteristics

Not so long ago, a modern soundproofing material appeared on the Russian construction market - “Texound”, which, it turns out, has been produced for more than twenty years, and during this time it has fully justified all the characteristics claimed by the manufacturer. With a thickness of only 3.7 mm, it is considered one of the best sound absorbers.

This is what Texound looks like in rolls...

This material is made on a mineral basis and is ideal for flooring in residential areas. In addition to floors, it is mounted on ceilings and walls, thereby achieving maximum protection from noise, and at the same time minimizing the loss of area and total volume of rooms.

It must be said that Texound has a high density and, accordingly, significant mass, which is seven kilograms per m², therefore it seriously weighs down structures, which is important when placing it on walls or ceilings. But it is precisely its high density that creates protection against noise penetration.

Positive and negative sides

The material has the following advantages over others sound-absorbing materials:

1. It is flexible and elastic, and also has the ability to stretch.

2. Its installation is simple and straightforward.

3. The material does not respond to temperature changes.

4. “Texaund” is not hygroscopic and is not susceptible to mold or rotting processes.

6. Ideally fits on any surface.

7. Has an unlimited service life.

8. And most importantly, it has a high air absorption coefficient sound waves noise.

The only disadvantage of Texound is that it must be used in combination with thin insulation or other material, i.e. To achieve the desired effect, it is not recommended to lay it on a concrete slab without a backing.

Texound

Installation

When arranging soundproofing, you always want to achieve maximum effect, and to achieve this, you must act strictly according to the instructions and recommendations given by the material manufacturer.

Approximate layout of "Texound"

As mentioned above, Texound must be laid on a prepared base. Any sheet or roll insulation- it can be thin foam polyethylene - polyethylene foam, drywall, plastic or plywood. If the ceilings are high and it is possible to make sound insulation from a thicker layer, then mineral wool can be used for one of the components.

• The concrete slab is thoroughly cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.
• Next, the base is laid on it. If it is an elastic material, then it is better to secure it with glue.

Polyethylene foam will raise the floor by only three to five millimeters. The best option It still counts as drywall. This is because, firstly, it will make the floors perfectly smooth and cover the defects of the slab, and this will protect Texound from damage, and secondly, it itself is a good sound insulator.

• After the base is ready, coat it on top with special glue, wait 10-15 minutes, and then carefully lay Texound, extending 10-12 centimeters onto the walls.

Spreading "Texaunda"

• When the material is laid, it is necessary to carefully connect the joints between the sheets using hot air or glue. The sheets must create an airtight coating, otherwise the soundproofing effect will be reduced.
• Next, “Texound” is covered on top with another layer of plasterboard or 10 mm plywood. In total, without decorative coating, the floors will rise by 23.7 millimeters.
• Any flooring can be laid on top of plasterboard. covering - linoleum, laminate, carpet, etc. - it will also create additional sound insulation.

If you increase the number of layers and use materials with different densities for them, the sound insulation will be several times better.

Mineral wool

For sound insulation and insulation, three types of mineral wool are used - these are stone wool, slag wool and glass wool. All of them can have different thicknesses and are produced in rolls or slabs.

Mineral wool can be of different densities, on which thermal conductivity and its ability to withstand external loads will depend. In addition, the material differs in its coefficient of moisture and heat resistance.

1. Stone wool

Stone wool is a heat-resistant material and can easily withstand high temperatures, reaching up to 500-550 degrees. This sound insulator is made from fibers obtained by melting rocks.

Rolls and slabs of basalt wool

Most best view stone wool - basalt, it is an environmentally friendly sound insulator, as well as excellent insulation. Another advantage is that it does not contain binders - formaldehyde resin, unlike some other types of mineral wool.

Basalt wool, produced in slabs and rolls, can be used for soundproofing work without installing the sheathing, since the material has a high density.

stone wool

1. Glass wool

This is the most affordable type of mineral wool, but it is more difficult to install due to the prickly fiberglass. Installation must be carried out with gloves and a protective mask on the face, since the thin hard fibers that make up the material dig into the skin and can get into the eyes and respiratory tract.

Most inexpensive option- glass wool

Glass wool has a lower density than stone wool, and it must be laid in a lathing. This kind of material is mainly used for non-residential premises, for example workshops, or for external insulation or soundproofing.

glass wool

1. Slag

This type of mineral wool is made from blast furnace slag and cannot be used in rooms with high humidity, since the material contains substances that, when interacting with moisture, will aggressively affect the metal. In addition, it cannot be used for external work, since there it will not be protected from moisture.

The material is hygroscopic, i.e. absorbs moisture well, which quickly reduces its quality. This material, in principle, can be used for sound insulation by laying it between the sheathing joists, but it is not advisable to use it in residential premises.

From the presented characteristics we can conclude that of the three types of mineral wool, only stone basalt wool is ideal for soundproofing the floor of an apartment.

Installation

Installation of mineral wool on floors for sound insulation is quite simple, and can be done in two ways: with or without the use of bar sheathing.

• The first thing to do with any soundproofing device is to prepare the surface of the base. All debris and dust are removed from it using a vacuum cleaner.
• Next, if on concrete the floor will be revealed cracks, they need to be widened and sealed cement mortar or a special repair putty, then allow these areas to harden well.
• Then it is better to lay a thin heat- and sound-insulating polyethylene foam on the concrete slab.
• If you decide to lay logs, then you need to correctly calculate the step of their installation; it must correspond to the width of the mineral wool slabs so that they fit tightly between the bars.

The bars are selected to be the same thickness as the thickness of the soundproofing material. After marking the floor, logs are attached to it; they should not be located close to the wall, but at a distance equal to the thickness of the insulation.

The next step is laying the slabs between the bars.

When all the material has been laid, plywood sheets are laid on top of it and secured to the sheathing bars using self-tapping screws.

If small gaps have formed between the sheets of plywood, they need to be sealed with wood putty.

After the putty has dried, linoleum, carpet or laminate can be laid on top of the plywood.

If you want to enhance the sound-absorbing effect, you can lay a cork covering on top of the plywood, which also has excellent sound-absorbing properties.

• Another option may be soundproofing without the use of wooden sheathing, and working on it installationcarried out in the following way.

Foamed polyethylene is also placed on the cleaned floor, which must be secured together with adhesive tape. This material should be found on the walls on the thickness of the entire soundproofing layer.

Along the walls of the entire perimeter of the room they place strips cut from mineral wool slabs, their height is about 15 centimeters.

Sheets of plywood or durable plasterboard are laid on the substrate, close to the sound insulator installed on the walls.

The next step is to lay the slab sound insulator close to each other. It is pressed as tightly as possible against the strips of material installed on the wall.

Another layer of plywood is laid on top of the mineral wool slabs and secured to the floor.

If small gaps have formed between the sheets of plywood, they also need to be sealed with putty.

After the putty has dried, you can proceed to installing a decorative floor covering.

As you can see from the description of the work process, everything can be done with your own hands, thereby protecting yourself from noisy neighbors living below.

Video - an example of soundproofing with mineral slabs

Cork soundproofing and covering

A material like cork is great sound insulator. A decorative coating is made from it, which is laid according to the laminate principle. In addition, a cork underlay is produced, which can be laid under any decorative floor covering.

Cork flooring absorbs noise well in the apartment and reflects loud extraneous sounds from the outside.

If we compare the level of noise protection of cork flooring with concrete wall, then its overwhelming advantage will be revealed - two cm of plugs can easily replace ten cm concrete slab or five cm of a wall built from pine beams.

With a two-centimeter thick plug, the sound level entering the apartment from the outside will be reduced by almost half. If you want to reduce noise more, then you can use cork as one of the layers of the soundproofing cushion, for example, when installing “Texound” - different densities of materials will help increase soundproofing Effect.

Decorative cork covering is of higher quality. It is produced in the form of tiles, panels and rolls. It can be used either separately from the cork backing or in conjunction with it to enhance the sound absorption effect.

Both options are an excellent protector from extraneous noise, but, in addition, cork is an excellent heat insulator, although it is small in thickness. The big advantage of this material is its environmental friendliness and the fact that it can “breathe”.

In order for the coating and substrate to work effectively, it is necessary to install them correctly.

cork flooring

Installation

Since the installation of a decorative coating and a cork backing can be done in a complex manner, they can be considered together.

The first thing to install, of course, is the cork backing. To install it, you need to prepare the surface, as for any other type of sound insulation. There should not be any debris left on the base, even small ones.

It is imperative to lay sheets of foamed polyethylene or other similar material under the cork backing. It should rise up the walls by 5-7 centimeters. The polyethylene is held together with special tape.

And he dealt with it.

Then sheets of plywood are laid on top of the cork and secured to the floor.

The selected decorative covering is laid on this solid base, which can be a laminate with cork or tiles made of the same material.

Video - an original solution to the problem of sound insulation

In the presented video - very interesting way soundproofing the floor using modern material with pronounced anti-vibration properties "Shumoplast". If it is possible to purchase, it is quite possible to do this work yourself.

When choosing sound insulation for a floor, you need to consider how much sound travels through the floors. The choice of material and its thickness will depend on this. In addition, you need to take into account the height of the ceilings in the apartment - if they are low, then you should choose a thin sound insulator.

What else you need to remember - if you want to make a room as noiseless as possible, you need to install a sound insulator not only on the floors, but also on the walls, and even on the ceiling.

I decided to devote this article to soundproofing the floor in an apartment: choosing the optimal solutions, materials, and method of installation in accordance with specific conditions and material capabilities. Do not underestimate this stage of finishing, since the level of comfort for people in the premises will depend on the quality of sound insulation.

Soundproofing of floors and walls is needed mainly from inadequate neighbors. By doing this, you will completely protect yourself from extraneous noise.

Think over the optimal solution at the design stage in order to clearly calculate the budget, otherwise you may encounter delays in moving in or be forced to save on other stages of finishing.

Selecting a material for soundproofing the floor in an apartment based on performance characteristics and prices

The modern market for construction and finishing materials is literally exploding with an abundance of different solutions, so choosing is not always easy. I will briefly review the most popular materials according to the criteria of their cost, efficiency, manufacturability, general pros and cons.

Stone wool

This material has the following advantages:

• Ecological cleanliness.
• High temperature resistance.
• Non-flammability ( high level fire safety), density.
• In addition to high sound insulation properties, it is also distinguished by excellent thermal insulation properties, which allows you to solve two problems at once.

Among the disadvantages we can highlight

• Hydrophobicity - contact of the material with moisture is unacceptable, therefore it is necessary to equip high-quality vapor barrier, waterproofing; you cannot use cotton wool in rooms with increased level humidity: kitchens, bathrooms, saunas.

Price for stone wool 50 mm thick with sheet size 600 x1000 mm is 750 rubles per package or 312 rubles per 1 square meter . The cost of work is 100 rubles per 1 square meter for one layer and 150 rubles for two layers .

Expanded clay

This soundproofing material has the following advantages:

• High level of fire safety.
• Environmentally friendly - natural material.
• Resistant to moisture.
• Not afraid of mold, mildew, pests.
• Durable enough.

The best option for wet rooms.

• The downside is a significant increase, raising the floor level, which is not always possible if the ceilings are already quite low.
• The installation process is quite labor-intensive.

The price of expanded clay depends on the size of the fraction, but I am considering the most popular option for sound insulation - 10-20 mm. Its price is 1,600 rubles per cubic meter or 160 rubles per square meter with a layer of 8-10 cm. The cost of the work is 390 rubles (this includes pouring the screed) .

Cork sound insulation

This insulator has the following advantages:

• Ecological purity - natural, natural material.
• The possibility of using a thin layer (0.5-3 cm), which avoids a significant rise in the floor level.
• Manufacturability - the material is easy to install.

• Flammability.
• Vulnerability to pests.
• High price.

I consider it inappropriate to use this material as the main one due to its high cost.

The cost of technical cork sound insulation for the floor in an apartment is 650 rubles per 1 square meter with a sheet thickness of 10 mm. The cost of installation will be 100 rubles per square meter in one layer .

Shumoplast

A mixture of polymer granules designed for sound insulation concrete foundations. The basis of the material is polystyrene foam, rubber, acrylic binders.

Important tip!

Modern soundproofing of an apartment is more expensive than outdated methods, but its effectiveness is sometimes many times higher.

The advantages include:

• Thin layer of application – 2 cm.
• High efficiency.

And of the minuses:

• Difficult to apply and need to wait 48 hours for complete polymerization.
• In addition, it is intended primarily for arranging floors with floating screeds.

The cost of this material is 250 rubles per square meter with a layer of 2 cm, and the price of the service will be 650 rubles per meter .

Soundproofing

Insulation based on two-layer bitumen-polymer material, supplied in rolls. Features the following advantages:

• Easy installation and minimal layer thickness.
• Versatility - simultaneously performs soundproofing and waterproofing functions.
• Can be installed in any room and under almost any type of floor covering.

The disadvantages include the relatively high cost. The price of the material is 1,700 rubles per roll of material 2 mm thick or 570 rubles per square meter, the installation price of which will be 100 rubles .

If you do soundproofing in an apartment with your own hands, be sure to follow the technology prescribed by the manufacturer to avoid reducing the effectiveness of the result.

Maxforte eco-panel

Cellulose frame with mineral filler, supplied in dense, heavy slabs. The advantages include:

• · Environmental cleanliness.
• · Relatively easy installation.
• · Sufficiently high strength.
• · Suitable for all types of premises.

The main disadvantage of the material is its price, which is 720 rubles per square meter, plus the cost of installation - 200 rubles per square meter .

Schumanet

These are acoustic mineral slabs that offer all the advantages of stone wool:

• Non-flammability.
• Thermal insulation properties.
• Density.
• This type of mat undergoes additional hydrophobic treatment, which allows it to be used even in damp rooms.

As for the price, it will be 260 rubles per square meter, plus 100 rubles for installation .

I strongly do not recommend that you use any type of wool, even one that has undergone hydrophobic treatment, in wet rooms, as this may result in additional costs or a complete loss of sound insulation effectiveness.

Isoplat

This is a wood fiber material supplied in dense slabs. Mainly used under parquet and laminate. Additional advantages:

• Vapor permeability.
• · Fireproof properties.
• · Ecological cleanliness.

But again, this material, despite hydrophobic impregnation paraffin, I would not recommend it for wet rooms.

The cost of the slab will be 300 rubles per square meter, and another 100 rubles for laying the material .

Expanded polystyrene

One of the most common types of sound insulation for apartment floors due to affordability and ease of installation. Predominantly extruded high-density polystyrene foam with a sheet thickness of 2-4 cm is used. Among the advantages:

• Cheapness.
• Light weight.
• · Moisture resistant.

Of the minuses:

• Flammability.
• Fragility.

The prices for this type of material are as follows: one square meter of ordinary polystyrene foam 50 mm thick will cost 210 rubles, extruded polystyrene foam 50 mm thick - 260 rubles. For installation you will pay 100 rubles per meter .

Important tip ! I advise you to proceed from your own material capabilities, but at the same time give preference to the safest and most durable solutions in order to avoid expensive repairs in the foreseeable future.

Selecting sound insulation according to the flooring material

Also, the choice of sound insulation depends on what type of flooring you choose. I will generally consider one or two of the most suitable options according to the type of finish.

Under the screed

Expanded clay or dense extruded foam would be the best solutions for sound insulation under the screed. Firstly, these materials are quite durable, and most importantly, they are not afraid of moisture. The base is strong and can withstand heavy loads. Such a disadvantage of foam plastic as flammability is completely neutralized by a screed, on which almost any type can be laid on top finishing coating.

Important!

In some cases, laying mineral wool under the screed is also permissible, but it is necessary to ensure its complete waterproofing and vapor barrier, otherwise it will lose its properties. operational properties after drinking water.

Under laminate

The optimal solutions for a ready-made base for a laminate would be Izoplat slabs or cork sheet insulation. They are distinguished by their small thickness and fairly high strength, capable of evenly distributing loads. Their installation is simple and efficient. I can also recommend rolled Sound Insulation for laminate, but it is more suitable for wet rooms.

Under linoleum

The above-mentioned Soundproofing based on bitumen-polymer fabric is ideal for laying under linoleum. It is moisture resistant and provides high sound insulation protection with a minimum layer thickness. It can be used in wet areas, including kitchens and bathrooms. Linoleum lays on it very well and holds firmly.

Under ceramic tiles

Wooden floor with joists

In this case, it is permissible to use mineral (stone) wool; you can use Maxforte Eco-panel, which is environmentally friendly and highly durable. Stone wool is laid on a layer of vapor barrier, and reliable waterproofing must be installed on top. And this method is very beneficial, since you at the same time insulate your floors.

Important!

In new apartments, most often the floors are a concrete monolith or screed, and with wooden joists This is more often the case in private homes. For an apartment, the optimal solution would be to place all floors on the same level using a common screed, so start from those materials that are suitable for this finishing method.

Optimal sound insulation for different types of base

Another important criterion that determines the type of insulation used is the type of base. I will briefly consider the features of choosing a material in accordance with the characteristics of different bases.

Wooden logs

For apartments of new construction, this is very rare, since the floors are made of concrete floor slabs, but I consider it obligatory to consider this method. There are voids between the joists that need to be filled. And it’s optimal to use something that’s relatively light, but at the same time efficient material. I see two optimal solutions– this is expanded clay and stone wool. They allow you to gain the desired thickness with minimal material costs, while simultaneously performing the functions of sound insulation and thermal insulation. A sheathing of boards is placed on top of the logs, which can be covered with plywood or, OSB boards through a thin substrate.

Concrete wet or semi-dry screed

Under a wet or semi-dry screed, it is necessary to lay materials that are not afraid of moisture. This is expanded clay, polystyrene foam or Soundproofing. Expanded clay can be used when the thickness of the layer is not of fundamental importance. Foam plastic and Soundproofing will help to avoid a large rise in the floor level.

Dry screed

Unlike wet and semi-dry screed, dry screed does not involve the use of water at all. But at the same time it requires arrangement solid foundation. Expanded clay can be used in this case, but more often rolled or sheet materials are used, as well as damping tapes around the perimeter of the room. A good option is Teksound - it has a high density with a small thickness.

Below I have provided a comparison of various materials by price and their main performance characteristics.

Type of sound insulation	Price per 1 square meter in rubles	Price for installation 1 square meter in rubles	Total cost of soundproofing installation in rubles	Service life (number of years declared by the manufacturer)	Efficiency (on a 10-point scale, taking into account thermal insulation properties)
Stone wool
Expanded clay		390 (with 3 cm tie)
Expanded polystyrene
Shumoplast
Soundproofing
Maxforte Eco-panel

Results

To summarize, I want to note that each soundproofing material is good in its own way under its own operating conditions. When choosing a solution, take into account the factors that I described above: type of base, type of finishing coating, permissible thickness of the subfloor, type of room (humidity level), expected loads, as well as the desired effect and performance characteristics.