We have put together a kit that will enable you to fully soundproof floors to a near studio standard. This system is designed to upgrade the sound insulation properties of floors in all types of domestic and commercial properties. This system is approximately 80mm-180mm thick depending on whether it is a concrete ceiling or timber joist.
The system we have developed below is relatively easy to fit with little DIY experience. The system uses Rockwool Flexi-Slab between timber studwork followed by a resilient bar system and a sandwich of 10kg Soundproofing Mat and SilentBoard. The only thing we don’t supply to complete the installation is the timber studs and the sheets of ply. We recommend you use 100mm deep timber battens fitted at 600mm centres.
The Rockwool Flexi-Slab is fitted between the timber joists or if it is a concrete floor it is fitted between 100mm timber battens fixed to the floor and the SoundSense Isolation System is fitted to the timber battens perpendicular to the joists or battens. The spacing between the channels should be no more than 600mm. The spacing between the clips should be no more than 600mm. The required number of clips can be simply slid onto the bar and positioned to the required place. The SoundSense Isolation Bars can be cut to length using tin snips or a hacksaw. The channel and clips should be no more than 75mm from the wall. You should use 60mm coarse thread screws to fix the clips to the timber battens or joists.
Once the bar and clips are securely fixed in place you then need to install a layer of 18mm Ply sheet. You need to align the seams between the sheets on the centreline of the horizontal channels. Ensure a 5mm gap is left around the linings to decouple the layer. Make sure that no fixings connect the ply lining to the battens or concrete. For the first layer we recommend using 25mm self-drilling drywall screws. Once you have installed the first layer you need to then seal the gap with our Acoustic Sealant.
You ca now install the 10kg Soundproofing Mat. The first layer of Advanced Acoustics 10kg Soundproofing Mat needs to be installed perpendicular to the direction of the ply sheets. This reduces the risk of any joins falling in line. Starting from one wall you need to lay the Advanced Acoustics 10kg Soundproofing Mat leaving a 5mm gap around the perimeter of the room. Glue the soundproofing mat to the floor using the Advanced Acoustics Contact Adhesive as you unroll it going the full length of the room. If the room is longer than the roll then slightly overlap the ends of the roll by around 10mm. When you have run the full length of the room you need to run a knife down the join if you have one ensuring you cut through both layers. When you have cut the Soundproofing Mat you can remove excess and you will get a nice join between the two rolls. When laying the second roll next to the first you need to again slightly overlap the joints by 10mm when you have gone the full length you can cut along the joint to get a neat finish. Once you have covered the whole of the floor you then need to seal the joints with Jointing Tape.
Once you have completed this you can now lay the second layer perpendicular to the first layer, to again, minimise the chance of overlapping any joints. Lay the second as you did the first gluing the 10kg Soundproofing Mat down to the first layer and overlapping edges so you can trim them with a knife and then seal the joins with Advanced Acoustics Jointing Tape. There is no need to fold the second layer of 10kg Soundproofing Mat up the wall, just the first layer will be fine.
Once you have fitted the 10kg Soundproofing Mat you can now lay the Advanced Acoustics Quietboard. The Quietboard is not to be glued down but left floating. A 5mm gap needs to be left around the perimeter of the room, the Quietboard should not touch the wall. Once you have covered the whole of the floor with the Quietboard you then need to seal the gap left around the perimeter of the room with the Advanced Acoustics Acoustic Sealant. The floor is now ready for wooden floor or the underlay and carpet to be fitted. If you wish to attain further sound reduction you can use the Advanced Acoustics Silent Floor Ultra as a replacement for standard underlay if you are fitting carpet as this will reduce impact noise even further. Some prefer to have a professional carpet fitter in to fit the carpet, if this is the case most will be happy to fit the carpet gripper and Silent Floor Ultra for you prior to fitting the carpet. If you are fitting a wooden floor this should be spot bonded and secret nailed to the QuietBoard ensuring the nails aren’t longer than the thickness of the Advanced Acoustics QuietBoard. If you are fitting a wooden floor it is advised you leave a 5-10mm gap all the way around the room to allow to shrinkage and expansion. If desired this gap can be filled with Advanced Acoustics Acoustic Sealant. Once the floor is fitted the skirting board can be installed.
