Floor Soundproofing with Acoustic Underlayment: A Step-By-Step Guide

This comprehensive step-by-step guide will take you through the essentials of floor soundproofing using top-notch acoustic underlayment. We’ll break down each stage of the process, ensuring that you get the quiet and serene living space you deserve. Let’s dive in.

Average Cost: $5,000.-$15,000. per room

Step 1: Assessing Noise Level for Targeted Floor Soundproofing

First things first: we gotta figure out what kind of noise we’re up against. For those big sound issues like in sports clubs or residential building gyms, we use a spring-loaded isolation mount system. If you’re just dealing with regular old household noise, we might go for a floating floor, which works great for blocking out the downstairs neighbors but won’t absorb as much impact.

Step 2: Prep and Tear Up

To prep, we say goodbye to that old floor. If we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty—like down to the joists—we’ll lay down some neoprene joist tape before installing the new sub-floor. This will be our foundation for further Floor Soundproofing.

Step 3: The First Layer of Acoustic Underlayment

Here comes the techy part. We get to work sealing any cracks and gaps with high-grade acoustical caulk. Once that’s snug, we bring in the first layer of Acoustic Underlayment—Mass Loaded Vinyl, mixed in with a viscoelastic compound like green glue. This combo is a double-whammy: it reduces vibration and converts sound energy into heat on a microscopic level. Don’t worry, you won’t feel the heat.

Step 4: Floor Soundproofing: The Second Layer of Subfloor

More layering! Another subfloor layer comes in, but here’s the kicker: where we place those screws is crucial for soundproofing. Every screw is a potential pathway for sound to travel, so we make each one count.

Step 5: The Second Round of Acoustic Underlayment

We’re not done yet. We bring in another round of Acoustic Underlayment. First, we lay down a layer of Floor Muffler, followed by Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV). And we ain’t skimping on the details—the MLV gets a special vinyl seam tape to ensure complete coverage.

Step 6: The Grand Finale: Installing Your New Floor

Ready for the home stretch? We install your new hardwood or laminate flooring, but we leave a 3/8-inch gap from the wall for floor soundproofing. That’s no mistake, trust us.

Step 7: Floor Soundproofing Final Touch with Acoustical Caulk

Last but not least, we fill in that 3/8-inch gap with acoustical caulk. The floor will still have some flex, but that’s what we want. Once that’s sealed, your baseboards are up next, and they get a nice layer of caulking to wrap it up.

When you choose Hush for your Floor Soundproofing project, you’re not just getting service; you’re investing in a more peaceful living space. Our team’s got your back every step of the way, ensuring that your floors aren’t just nice to look at but also function as a sound barrier.

Looking for Acoustic Underlayment solutions? Hush has you covered, making your floors as quiet as they are beautiful.