Sound reducing carpet underlay

Converge

Converge

Converge

Soldato
Joined
26 Jan 2005
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Hi all,

I'm going to be moving into my new flat in a month or so, and I was thinking, as I'm going to be replacing the carpets, would there be any benefit in me putting down some 'sound proofing' carpet underlay to ensure there's less noise from my neighbours below, and less sound from me to them too when using my Home Cinema system!

Have any of you had any good experiences, or have any recommendations?

I looked at this, but i don't think it's really all it says it is and particularly at such a low price...

http://www.carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk/carpenters-deep-step-pu-carpet-underlay-11mm-1916-p.asp

44db... really?!

Any help would be splendid! :)
 
This site is a brilliant resource:
http://www.soundproofingcompany.com

Hopefully you'll find an answer in there. Usually the answer to sound problems is to try and stop it at source, so putting measures in on your side will probably make a difference to the neighbour below. Usually the biggest problem with flats is the lack of decoupling of walls/ceilings between buildings, so whilst such measures may help to reduce the noise, it's never going to be perfect without major rework
 
Thanks for the link. I understand that there is nothing that will be perfect with an existing building without major expenditure, but there must be something to reduce the noise a bit? So is the underlay that i linked likely to be any good? :)
 
nope.

High/Mid frequencies which travel through floors and ceilings will have enough energy to easily go through a few mm of fluff.

Low frequencies won't be effected at all by a flew mm of fluff.

To stop your noise going to other peoples flats then you'll need some form of thick cushioning to stop the bass from rattling the floorboards. Try subwoofer isolation platforms.

To stop noise entering your flat from other peoples flats then you'll your room virtually air tight, plenty of thick insulation and plasterboards,flooring and ceiling suspended on rubber grommets.
 
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Converge said:
Hi all,

I'm going to be moving into my new flat in a month or so, and I was thinking, as I'm going to be replacing the carpets, would there be any benefit in me putting down some 'sound proofing' carpet underlay to ensure there's less noise from my neighbours below, and less sound from me to them too when using my Home Cinema system!

Have any of you had any good experiences, or have any recommendations?

I looked at this, but i don't think it's really all it says it is and particularly at such a low price...

http://www.carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk/carpenters-deep-step-pu-carpet-underlay-11mm-1916-p.asp

44db... really?!

Any help would be splendid! :)
Click to expand...

I don't pretend to be an expert but I did buy good quality underlay last year for one of my flats.

http://www.tradepriced.co.uk/tredaire_colours_green_carpet_underlay.html

rather more expensive but better than that stuff you linked to.

I obviously bought it because it feels amazing to walk on (really, everyone says so) so long as you didn't cheap out on the carpet but a rather nice side-effect was general noise reduction.

As some have said it very much depends on the type of noise and construction of your block.

it won't help much with Bass or any high pitched noises or drilling etc but if the hifi downstairs plays at a normal volume with low or no bass it will help.
 
The only thing that will help with is the noise of you walking around. Won't do a bean to stop music as the other say.
 
Oakey doke, cheers for the replies chaps.

Looks like the neighbours will be hating me in the coming months then, or, I could just play nice and keep it down a little. :)
 
Superficial said:
I don't pretend to be an expert but I did buy good quality underlay last year for one of my flats.

http://www.tradepriced.co.uk/tredaire_colours_green_carpet_underlay.html

rather more expensive but better than that stuff you linked to.

I obviously bought it because it feels amazing to walk on (really, everyone says so) so long as you didn't cheap out on the carpet but a rather nice side-effect was general noise reduction.

As some have said it very much depends on the type of noise and construction of your block.

it won't help much with Bass or any high pitched noises or drilling etc but if the hifi downstairs plays at a normal volume with low or no bass it will help.
Click to expand...
http://www.tradepriced.co.uk/tredaire_dreamwalk_11mm_carpet_underlay.html
is what I have best one for price and sound.
 
At work we supply and fit contract floors but also we sometimes do sound insulation for councils that use it on first floors to help reduce sound travelling to neighbours below. We always use a product made in the UK called Acoustilay 3 or sometimes Acoustilay 15. It's not cheap though.

That PU foam you linked will not do anything noticeable.
 
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Ash2097 said:
At work we supply and fit contract floors but also we sometimes do sound insulation for councils that use it on first floors to help reduce sound travelling to neighbours below. We always use a product made in the UK called Acoustilay 3 or sometimes Acoustilay 15. It's not cheap though.

That PU foam you linked will not do anything noticeable.
Click to expand...

Cheers for the advice mate.

I've actually had another look around the interweb and thought that maybe this might work?

http://www.keepitquiet.co.uk/quietfloor-plus-acoustic-underlay/

However, I'm concerned that it might weigh too much for the floor if i'm putting say 20-30 panels of it down?
15kg per m2 ish...

Any thoughts?
 
Not quite what you're asking but some granite plinths under floor standing speakers made a world of difference in my house with suspended floors
 
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