How to soundproof a floor with SoundMat 3 Plus

[@gaycha6589]

Great explanation thanks. In considering a new build or refurb, can underfloor electric heating be used in conjunction with this system?

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi Gay cha, yes, the SoundMat™ 3 Plus can be used under underfloor heating. The UFH needs to go above the SoundMat 3 Plus.

[@Dr.Stacker]

Is there any reason why you wouldn't completely fill the joist cavity with rockwool as opposed to only half as you've shown in your video? Thanks

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi, thank you for your question. Yes, with soundproofing it's not always a case of the more the better, you get to a point of diminishing returns. Generally as a rough rule 100mm of high density mineral wool does the job it is there to do. Any more doesn't actually improve the sound reduction performance any further, you're just spending more money on more material for no reason.

[@Dr.Stacker]

@@SoundproofingStore Thanks so just to clarify my joists are 200mm tall ,2x8", are you saying I should leave half of that void empty? Does this void not allow sound to echo? Thanks

[@SoundproofingStore]

@@Dr.Stacker I would use 100mm, the other 100mm which is empty won't allow the sound to echo because the sound will still be hitting the 100mm of mienral wool that is in there. You just need to slightly change the way you are looking at it. It's not about every bit of space needs to be filled or the empty void will reverberate, you have to think of it as a whole. For example, when you decorate a room and you take out the curtains, carpet, sofa, cushions etc, the room suddenly has a lot more echo because the soft absorbing materials have been taken away. When you put them back in again, the echo goes away. But you haven't completely filled the entire volume of the room. You just have enough absorbent material to stop the sound from bouncing around. 100mm of wool is more than enough to stop a 200mm void from causing problems, any more wool is unlikely to give you any further improvement. The other thing to bear in mind is that ceilings need some air space for ventilation or it can cause issues with condensation build up.

[@andrew2272kag]

Would this help reduce adjacent impact noise? ie, when my neighbours slam their cabinets on our shared wall, I can feel the vibration through the floor in my feet. I am wondering if a combination of proofing both the floor and the walls would help. Not expecting complete elimination but currently they are so loud I can hear them slamming over ANC headphones.

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi @andrew2272kag, you could soundproof the wall and see how much impact vibration that absorbs with a view to also then doing the floor if needed. It is always easier to treat impact vibrations at the source of the impact noise before it gets chance to enter the structure of the building. Could you speak to your neighbours about soft close doors, or similar? This would certainly be the easiest way for you to combat the impact vibrations you are experiencing. This blog on slamming doors is the same principle as the cabinets slamming and might be of interest: www.soundproofingstore.co.uk/how-to-stop-a-door-from-slamming If you want to discuss the most effective soundproofing option, then please feel free to contact us on [phone] and we can speak to you in more detail and advise accordingly. The ReductoClip Independent Wall Solution is the highest performing solution for walls: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGPKp3qvepueiqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/nILGl52nhtunhbM

[@philipperessos5499]

How do you bond the 6mm ply to the SoundMat? What type of adhesive do you use?

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi, thanks for the question. We use a solvent free, floor impact adhesive that is suitable for rubber and wood based materials. We can supply an approppriate adhesive with the matts. soundproofingstore.uk/product/isobond-rubber-adhesive-12kg-30m2-coverage/

[@philipperessos5499]

@@SoundproofingStore Thank you for your reply, sounds good, water based glue will not react with the plasticiser in the rubber, I am happy with that.

[@drutjegnehnyw]

Could I just put the soundproofing down then put carpet on top?

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi DR4GON, absolutely. The SoundMat 3 Plus also acts as a luxury underlay. You can lay the SoundMat 3 Plus directly on timber or concrete floors, and simply use high tack tape to seal between the joins before laying the carpet. If using carpet gripper rods, you'd also need to use carpet gripper risers. Further information can be found here: www.soundproofingstore.co.uk/soundmat-3-plus

[@user-cn1em2qx6f]

if i use this on my first floor. will it affect the joists like condensation ? do first floor joists even need ventilation

[@SoundproofingStore]

HI Kevin - Thanks for the question. I don't think condensation is something you need to worry about on a first floor floor. In many years of soundproofing floors it's not something that has ever been raised as an issue at all. There is also nothing in the building regulations or anything to suggest that allowance for condensation measures needs to be considered when adding more mass to the floor etc.

[@alexthompson6529]

Hey, quick question. When you tape the seams between the matts, are you using a particular kind of tape? Will duct tape work?

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi Alex Thompson, the material that the SoundMat is made out of is quite unusual and normal duct / gaffa tapes tend not to stick to it very well. We can provide a tape with the mats that is very high tack and has been tried and tested with the mats. If you want to source your own, we would recommend finding a very high tack tape.

[@danielkwon4407]

Hello, is this matt ideal for airborne noise from below? Would it work better if Matt 3 plus with tecsound on top? Thanks

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi Daniel Kwon, absolutely, SoundMat 3 Plus is ideal for airborne noise from below. By adding the Tecsound, you are adding an additional layer of mass to the floor, (which further helps to block airborne noise). You would need to add the Tecsound to the floor first and then the SoundMat 3 Plus. We also recommend acoustic mineral wool between the joists.

[@danielkwon4407]

@@SoundproofingStore thanks for your reply! I have wooden floors.. would tecsound be taken off easily later on because of its self adhesive?

[@SoundproofingStore]

@@danielkwon4407 we also offer a nonadhesive option of Tecsound. Should you need it, just contact us on 01423 206 208, or [e-mail]

[@HereBezMe]

Could I lay laminate floor directly over this ? Adding another 6mm of ply would raise my floor too high

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi Paul, the matting is quite flexible which allows it to absorb sound vibrations and footfall impacts. Due to this flex we recommend fitting a 6mm ply layer over the top of the matting to provide a stable base for thinner hard flooring finishes - like laminate. This is to prevent your floor finish from flexing too much and popping the T+G joins on the flooring creating gaps in your floor finish over time. Ultimately it's your choice how to finish the mats but we recommend a 6mm ply for laminate.

[@HereBezMe]

@@SoundproofingStore thank you for the quick reply. What you say makes sense, might as well do it right the first time. Hopefully I'll be putting an order in with yourselves in the coming months

[@SoundproofingStore]

@@HereBezMe feel free to call us on 01423 206208 if we can be of any further help prior to your order.

[@Chiquerman]

Hi @@SoundproofingStore, how do you fit the 6mm ply layer to the mats on top without screwing it down? Is there any particular adhesive you recommend?

[@SoundproofingStore]

@@Chiquerman You want to adhere the ply layer rather than mechanical fixings. We can supply an adhesive with the matts that will do the job, or you can source your own floor impact adhesive, as long as it is suitable for rubber and wood. Alternatively, if you can afford to lose a little more height, you could use a thicker board with a T&G join and just float the board on top.

[@SoundproofingStore]

If you are considering soundproofing with any mat that contains chip foam then you need to see this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qofFfHeOmr56hM0

[@22rsx]

Can I pull up the carpet, lay this down and put the carpet back overtop?

[@SoundproofingStore]

Yes, no reason why you can't. However, you will need to lift up your gripper rods to install our gripper risers underneath and then fix the rods back down.

[@ai1.0]

What the min and max level of filling spaces between joists minwool?

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi Alex M, aim to fill 50-80% of the depths of the joists. You don't want to completely fill it, and 50% would be the minimum.

[@ai1.0]

@@SoundproofingStore thank you

[@user-vz8yh9cf7w]

@@SoundproofingStore Just out of curiosity, why shouldn’t we completely fill it?

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi@@user-vz8yh9cf7wleaving the gap is to allow for airflow to circulate (nothing to do with the soundproofing).

[@MaximumEfficiency]

wouldn't you get the same noise reduction with pouring concrete of same thickness?

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi MaximumEfficiency, concrete on top would add more mass for airborne noise, but no resilience for impact noise. The practicality of pouring concrete on a timber floor joist floor wouldn't be ideal. (Simpler to install the SoundMat 3 Plus).

[@MaximumEfficiency]

@@SoundproofingStore tnx

[@I-Joshuaism]

Can I put soundmats onto surfaces without installing? (Rented apartment)

[@SoundproofingStore]

Hi the mats are not fixed to the floor, the weight of the mats holds them in place and we just use some tape between the mats to prevent any movement. i hope this helps?

[@Dirtywhipped]

Anonymous Serj same issue for me, I rent the upstairs of my home, I’m downstairs. I moved into my home in October, and realized very quickly that not having insulation in the ceiling and hard wood floors... it’s a nightmare, it sounds like non stop banging from the ppl upstairs, it’s enough to drive you mad. So I’m trying to find the best solution to help reduce the noise, without having to redo the floors upstairs. I wonder if putting some of these pads under an area rug will help?!

[@SoundproofingStore]

@@Dirtywhipped Installing the matts just under rugs will only do so much. They wont block any of the airborne sound, and only reduce impact in those particular areas. We would always recommend to fully install the mats accross the entire floor to really get the full benefit of the system. The other option if soundproofing the floor is very difficult, is to soundproof your ceiling below using our ReductoClip system - www.soundproofingstore.co.uk/reductoclip-system-for-ceilings

[@I-Joshuaism]

@@Dirtywhipped i really hope it will help. the best way is to research and buy for yourself. I dont want to waste any money on these panels to find out they dont work.

[@matahetland302]

what is the max. thickness these mats come in?

[@SoundproofingStore]

The SoundMat 3 Plus is 15mm thick. If you need an upgrade we can add extra layers such as our TecSound SY100 - www.soundproofingstore.co.uk/store/Tecsound-SY-100-4-8m2-p52900688

[@GregoryGuay]

@@SoundproofingStore how can this product be trusted if there’s no specific STC data? Or am I missing a data chart? Specifications vaguely say “28db, airborne reduction “

[@SoundproofingStore]

@@GregoryGuay We don't tend to use STC in the UK, but we do have full performance data using UK standard testing on our website. You can find our Performance Data Sheet to download here - www.soundproofingstore.co.uk/soundmat-3-plus if you scroll down to the "Tehcnical Info" section, and "Performance" tab.