What Does
Soundproofing Mean?
Soundproofing is interjecting sound waves before they reach the location
you plan to soundproof. Soundproofing is done by setting up absorbing material
or reducing it. Sounds travel through vibrations to stop them in their tracks,
you have to put the material in front of it to absorb or break the vibration.
The two common
types of noise are:
Airborne
sound –
such as sound from electronics, cookers, cars, and general speech, these become
structural airborne when the noise contacts a surface like floorings, walls,
and ceilings etc.
Impact
sound –
such as footfall, footsteps and anything that contact a surface area. Impact
noise is generally harder to handle than airborne noise. Such noises involve a
collision with the floor creating an impact which can occur through various
ways. This is generally accompanied by vibration which arises from the impact
and travels through the buildings structure.
Carpet & Carpet Underlay
The ideal response to isolating impact and airborne sound through
a floor may be as simple as installing a good quality carpet and carpet
underlay. It’s not the best soundproofing option but offers a cheap alternative
and adds a cushioned layer to decrease the impact of both footfall and airborne
sound waves. A good quality carpet and underlay will offer a very good initial
step to lessening impact sound directly onto a hard floor and also absorb
internal acoustics within the room reducing structural airborne transmission
through the floor.
How to soundproof
concrete floors
Concrete floors have a good level of mass and density. This ensures
airborne sounds such as talking, and conversation will be blocked. Impact sound
such as footfall and moving objects will transfer through a concrete floor. Using
a resilient layer over the concrete floor (Carpets & Underlays) is best to
reduce impact sound from transferring through concrete flooring.
Sound Breaking
Squeaky
floors occur as homes age and components pull apart. Squeaks can come from gaps
and separation between the surface flooring and the subfloor or gaps between
the subfloor and the joists. Eliminating floor squeaks is easiest from below if
the joists and subfloor can be accessed. First have someone walk the floor to
locate the squeak. Once located, decide what problem is causing the noise. If
it is a gap between the subfloor and the joists, use a shim shingle and push it
between the floor joist and the subflooring. Gently tap the shim home to secure
it and eliminate the void causing the squeak.
Difference Between Soundproofing and Sound
Absorption
When it comes to noise
disturbance, most of us just want it to stop. You may not even really care how
it stops, as long as it does. Soundproofing is an umbrella term that is
typically used to cover all aspects of reducing sound in your home or office.
Really, there are two different methods to control sound. There are
soundproofing and sound-absorbing.
Soundproofing
Soundproofing is when sound
is blocked. This may be called sound blocking, as well. In this case, there is
a material that is insulated, and it prevents the sound from entering or
leaving a specific space. These items are usually heavy and solid. The material
must be dense so that it reflects the sound and keeps it all in one space. This
may not be your first option when you want to reduce noise. It is a great
option under the proper circumstances. Buildings that include studios and cinemas
need soundproofing to ensure the sound contained inside does not leave the
space.
Sound Absorption
Sound absorption is when
the material is used on walls, ceilings, and floors to absorb the sound waves
that are in the room. This is an ideal method to reduce the amount of echo or
noise within a space. The materials that are intended to absorb sound are made
from softer materials and work to soak up, or absorb, the sound as it hits the
surface. These materials can help remove anything from noise in an office to
the echo of a hallway.
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