Effective solutions to improve the sound insulation of floors in an apartment

When living in an apartment, the quality of life can quickly be affected by noise pollution from the neighborhood. Good sound insulation of floors is therefore essential to preserve the comfort of your home. In this article, we will present different solutions to optimize the acoustic insulation of your floors.

Diagnosis and analysis of needs

Before embarking on work to improve the sound insulation of your apartment, it is crucial to carry out a precise diagnosis of the problems encountered. The aim is to identify the sources of noise and the weaknesses of the existing floor in terms of acoustic reduction. To do this, you can call on a specialized professional or use mobile applications dedicated to measuring sound levels.

Measurement of sound attenuation

Once the diagnosis has been made, it is appropriate to measure the acoustic attenuation of the current floor to evaluate the solutions that can be implemented. Acoustic attenuation measures the ability of a structure to reduce the transmission of noise between two spaces. The higher this value, the better the sound insulation will be. There are regulatory standards regarding sound insulation that your home must meet, particularly if you are considering renting.

Improving the sound insulation of floors with insulating materials

Once your diagnosis and your needs have been defined, you can consider different solutions to improve the acoustic insulation of your apartment. A first possibility consists of adding an insulating material to the existing floor.

Cork plate

Cork is a natural material with excellent sound absorption properties. You can lay a layer of cork boards under your current floor covering. Cork rolls or panels provide effective protection against impact noise.

Resilient tapestry

It is also an excellent sound insulating material, flexible and easy to install. It significantly reduces airborne and impact noise. Resilient upholstery is typically made from recycled felt, foam, fiberglass or rubber and can be integrated directly under the flooring.

Adding a floating screed

For optimal sound insulation, installing a floating screed on the pre-existing floor can be an excellent solution. This involves creating a separation between the rest of the floor and the floor covering, thus creating a “mass-spring-mass effect”. This technique offers significantly better insulation performance than insulating materials alone.

Dry screed

The dry screed is a system of panels on pedestals, which can be easily implemented and adapted to different configurations. It consists of separating the two rigid elements with a thin layer of felt or foam to reduce noise transmission. This type of screed is particularly recommended for lightweight constructions such as apartments.

Acoustic floor coverings

In some cases, it may be more judicious to directly choose a floor covering with intrinsic acoustic qualities to improve the sound insulation of your floor.

Carpet installation

Carpet is one of the floor coverings offering the best sound insulation thanks to its thickness and fibers. Its absorbent power considerably reduces impact noise as well as airborne noise. In addition, it has the advantage of being comfortable and thermally insulating.

Clip-on PVC blades

Clip-on PVC slats are an interesting alternative to traditional coverings. They offer good sound insulation and are easy to install while being less expensive than some other options.

Improved sound insulation of ceilings

For total sound insulation, it may also be necessary to treat the ceilings by implementing specific solutions.

False acoustic suspended ceiling

Installing a false suspended ceiling is an effective solution for improving the sound insulation of your apartment. This involves fixing a set of insulating panels to a metal structure independent of the original floor. This system creates a cavity between the real and the false ceiling which makes it possible to absorb the airborne noise which propagates there.

Total renovation of the floor

In certain cases, particularly during a complete renovation or in old buildings, it may be necessary to completely rethink the insulation of your apartment. In this context, several options can be considered:

1. 1. The replacement of the traditional wooden floor with a concrete floor;
   2. Removal of hollow parts of the floor (cellular partitions) to limit the propagation of noise;

1. 1. The integration of innovative materials for optimal sound insulation.

Additional tips for better sound insulation

In addition to the work described above, here are some tips to help you further improve your sound comfort:

• • Installing seals on doors and windows;

• • The provision of buffer spaces, such as thick curtains or bookcases filled with books;

• The selection of furniture with acoustic properties, such as sofas or armchairs covered in absorbent fabrics.

By following these tips and implementing solutions adapted to your needs, you will be able to enjoy a more peaceful and pleasant apartment to live in.