Does acoustic underlay make a difference?
Acoustic underlay does make a difference in sound reduction when done right!
There is a wide range of options available so understanding how they work is the key to choosing the best one for you.
You reduce airborne sound by efficiently de-coupling high mass products from the ridged floor surface to reduce the transfer of the airborne sound vibrations. Translation: you need to make a gap between two heavy things to stop the noise vibrations travelling straight through them with relative ease.
Impact sound is reduced by the energy being absorbed through deflection in the product. It is important that the product does not bottom out like an open cell carpet underlay otherwise your heel will hit the floorboard and the sound will still travel through.
You will achieve the best performance from your acoustic underlay by also treating the floor cavity with acoustic mineral wool and adding the isolation strip P8 on top of the joists where possible.
Which acoustic underlay is best for soundproofing?
To choose the best underlay for soundproofing in your home then there are a few questions we need to answer.
You will use a different underlay for a concrete construction than you would for a timber construction due to the mass and density of the build-up.
The best stand-alone acoustic underlay is the MuteMat 3 which helps with both impact and airborne sound reduction. This is a 3-ply acoustic underlay with 2 layers of mass-loaded-vinyl and a 6mm closed cell foam. This is a popular build-up for soundproofing underlay as the 2 high mass layers are separated by a 6mm closed cell foam which reduces the transfer of vibrations. The MuteMat 3 can acoustic underlay help you reach part E building regulation.