Design of Floating Acoustic Floors: A Guide for Optimal Sound Proofing in Buildings.

Introduction

In high value areas such as London, space is a premium, and urban development will often comprise of high noise activity very close to noise sensitive areas. Where sound proofing is a significant project requirement, floating floors offer a vital solution, especially in mixed use residential / commercial buildings across the UK.

Consider a concrete framed building with a music practice room which has a high noise activity, above a edit suite which has a low noise tolerance. A floating floor would be required to reduce the direct and flanking sound.

What are floating acoustic floors?

Floating acoustic floors are specialised construction elements designed to reduce sound transmission between floors of a building. Traditional floors are rigidly attached to the building's primary structure, which can allow noise and vibrations to transfer easily from one level to another. In contrast, floating acoustic floors are designed with an internal separation from the primary building structure. This separation is typically achieved by installing a resilient layer between the concrete slab or the floor hoists and the finished floor surface. The key components of a floating acoustic floor include:

1. Sub floor: The primary structure that provides structural stability, in our example below this is the reinforced concrete slab

2. Resilient layer: This is the floating element of the floating floor system. Made from a resilient material like rubber, foam, cork or fibrous mats. It's primary function is to absorb vibrations and decouple the finished flooring from the base preventing sound waves from passing through. In our example below it is a metal spring.

3. Air gap: a crucial element that enchases the acoustic isolation by providing a space for sound to dissipate and be absorbed before reaching the structural component of the building. In our example the air gap is made up of the spring height and SHS holding the finished floor.

4. Finished floor. This can be any traditional flooring material like wood, tile, or carpet which is laid on top of the resilient layer, but remains structurally isolated from the base layer. In our example it is 100mm of concrete poured into a metal deck

How it works

The principle behind floating acoustic floors is to create a mechanical separation, known as 'decoupling,' between the floor that people walk on and the structure of the building. By inserting a resilient material that compresses under impact and absorbs vibrations, the floor is able to float above the structural base. This setup significantly reduces the transmission of impact noise (like footsteps or dropped objects) and airborne noise (such as voices or music) from one floor to another.

The choice of resilient material is critical in the design of floating floors. These materials are specifically chosen for their ability to compress under impact and absorb vibrations, thereby dissipating energy that would otherwise transmit sound. Common materials include:

1. Rubber

2. Foam

3. Cork.

4. Fibrous Mats

5. Springs

Each of these materials can be selected based on the specific acoustic requirements of a project, the load-bearing capacity of the building, and other environmental considerations. By choosing the appropriate resilient material, architects and engineers can design floating floors that meet stringent sound isolation standards, enhancing comfort and usability of spaces in various settings.

There are many other factors to consider, including the size and ventilation of the air gap, the mass per unit area of the primary structure and the topping structure, there is also the junction details which will need to be detailed appropriately so that the acoustic integrity is maintained.

Expert insight

With over 11 years of experience in the design and implementation of acoustic solutions in the UK, We have had the privilege of working on a wide array of projects ranging from residential units to world class music studios requiring stringent sound isolation. Our approach always integrates deep technical analysis with with holistic bespoke design and build considerations to ensure every project not only meets the required acoustic performance standards, but is also practicable to build.

Choosing an expert for your acoustic floating flooring needs ensures that every aspect of soundproofing is considered, from the initial design phase through to the final installation.

1. Consultation Services: Ready to enhance the acoustic isolation in your building project? Contact us for a personalized consultation where we can discuss your specific needs and how floating acoustic floors can be integrated into your project.

2. Project Assessment: Have an existing building suffering from poor sound isolation? Let’s assess your current flooring system and explore retrofit solutions that can bring you the peace and quiet you deserve.

3. Educational Workshops: Interested in learning more about acoustic solutions? Join one of our workshops or seminars to get up-to-date information and hands-on experience with the latest in floating floor technology.

4. Read More: Visit our residential sound proofing case study for more insights into acoustic solutions and to view detailed case studies of our past projects.