Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Hardwood Laminate and Soundproofing
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marcpdog
01-29-06, 03:07 PM
I live on live on the 4th floor of a condo, and will be installing a floating laminated hardwood floor over concrete subfloor. I see of number of products on the market beyond foam that claim enhanced soundproofing (as well as vapor control). The sound issue is important, due to my wife's "heel" walking.
Do these products work well? Do they truly eliminate the need for a separate moisture barrier over the concrete slab? Is there any specific thickness I should look for? I've seen them anywhere from 2mm to 6 mm, although all claiming similar IIC and other soundproofing ratings.
The challenge is that there are so many brands, it is hard to decide the quality. I am considering once called SoundSolutionLT, by Solid Sound...
Your advice would be appreciated.
Marc
Do these products work well? Do they truly eliminate the need for a separate moisture barrier over the concrete slab? Is there any specific thickness I should look for? I've seen them anywhere from 2mm to 6 mm, although all claiming similar IIC and other soundproofing ratings.
The challenge is that there are so many brands, it is hard to decide the quality. I am considering once called SoundSolutionLT, by Solid Sound...
Your advice would be appreciated.
Marc
Carpets Done Wright
01-29-06, 08:00 PM
MP Global products have some excellent sound barriers and insulators for under floating floors.
Jerry T
01-30-06, 02:08 AM
Marc, just a caution on this.
Condo Assoc. usually have written rules & regulations for soundproofing when installing a new floor. Have you checked that out??
Condo Assoc. usually have written rules & regulations for soundproofing when installing a new floor. Have you checked that out??
marcpdog
01-30-06, 08:36 AM
Our condo assoc only has requirements for floor coverage (75% of non bathroom/kitchen floors). No specific soundproof ratings. It is a small building, and the materials that are available now probably weren't around when the original CC&Rs were drafting 15 years ago...
Carpets Done Wright
01-30-06, 04:55 PM
What Jerry is getting at is, your going to have a lot of PO'ed neighbors, no matter what kind of sound proofing you do. Your condo association can vote, and make you remove your investment.
marcpdog
01-30-06, 05:36 PM
no worries on pissed off neighbors- our condo president (next door to me) as well as the downstairs people put in the same floors...
Rotty
02-01-06, 06:22 PM
there is a product called "Durason", made from reclaimed car tires, 3mm, and it has a rating of 62. It's a good product, you will still require a vapour barrier with that product. We find that 6mm cork has a super soundproofing quality, and it also makes the floor non-resilient, giving the laminate the feel and sound of real wood, or as close as possible to it.