Whether your teenager has just taken up playing the drums, you have a new baby in the house, or you’re just tired of your floor sounding like a haunted house, it’s time to get rid of the noise.
Some households are louder than others. Some floors are louder than others too. If your floor is noisy, read on to find out the best ways to soundproof it.
What is Soundproofing?
Soundproofing is blocking sound from a room – either by preventing it from entering or leaving. Before you can efficiently soundproof, you’ll want to identify where the sound is coming from to find the best method to get rid of it. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to move forward to block that obnoxious noise.
Keep in mind that there are two types of noise – impact and airborne. Impact noise comes from things like footsteps, furniture dragging across the floor, and dropping or bouncing things. Airborne noise is generated through the air and spreads through the room (or the entire house). It can be the beat of a drum, a conversation in the next room, or dogs barking.
Six Ways to Soundproof Your Floor
#1: Pad it.
Padding the noise is a very effective way to deal with certain sounds, like footsteps. Carpet is the number one solution. Rugs come in a close second. The more padding you have underneath your carpet or rugs, the better.
#2: Underlayment.
If you have a naked floorboard, you can build a subsequent floor underneath. Even if the floor is covered with wood flooring, carpet, or another material already, you can pull out the covering and install an acoustic floor underlaying according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The underlayment should be accompanied by acoustic mats to drown out the maximum noise possible. While this method is more expensive and time consuming than padding, it is extremely effective and works for both impact and airborne noises.
#3: Interlocking floor mats.
Interlocking floor mats. Interlocking floor mats are becoming quite popular because they are fashionable and they block out sound. You’ll find them in many types of materials ranging from rubber to carpet. Aside from soundproofing, interlocking floor mats are a good bargain because if one gets stained or damaged, you merely replace it, not the entire floor.
#4: Use Noiseproof compound.
Noise radiating from the floor is such a problem, there’s a product made especially for it – noiseproof compound. Noiseproof compound reduces or eliminates noise from both sides of the floor. It is available in non-hazardous, earth-friendly versions. To apply it, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. It is spread directly onto the subflooring or between two hard surfaces with a caulk gun. As it dries, it absorbs more sound so give it a few days to a month before you judge.
#5: Deck screws.
Deck screws. If your floor is the source of the noise, inserting some deck screws often offers a fix. Remove your current flooring so you can access the subfloor. Install the screws in the area the noise is coming from in the entire floor area. Test the floor before you put the flooring back on. If it’s good, the flooring is read to go back in. This method is more complicated than some other remedies so don’t hesitate to hire a professional to do the job if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself.
#6: Flooring matters.
Another option for soundproofing your floor is to replace it with flooring that is known for being sound resistant. Carpet is an excellent choice as is soft wood flooring. Some vinyl, linoleum, and engineered wood floors have ample padding which makes them quieter than others. This solution is more practical if you are remodeling or don’t have a floor down yet.
Noisy floors are obnoxious to you, your family, and your neighbors if you live in an apartment or duplex. Once you figure out which fix is the best fit for you and take action, you’ll be able to enjoy the peace and quiet.
