How Sound Mats Can Improve Indoor Acoustic Environments

Indoor acoustics are disrupted by impact and airborne noise that send vibrations, echoes, and reverberations through floors and walls. One way to manage and contain unwanted sound vibrations involves using a sound mat under the flooring finish. You can install mats beneath tile, hardwood, and concrete flooring and above various subfloors to minimize noise transfer between levels. Here’s how sound-attenuating mats improve indoor acoustic environments:

Absorbing Impact Noise

Impact noise stems from foot traffic, dragged furniture and fixtures, and dropped items. The vibrations produced by impact travel through the flooring finish, subfloor, joists, and ceiling boards. Floors made of hardwood usually produce higher levels of impact noise than tile and concrete. Installing a sound mat beneath the flooring finish helps to absorb sound vibrations produced by the impact, preventing the noise from reaching adjacent rooms. The mats feature recycled rubber, foam, cork, and other materials that restrict vibrations. They also create a separation between the subfloor and upper flooring.

You can use sound-muffling mats to keep your indoor acoustic environments quiet and protected from impact noise coming from floors above and below. Look for mats with higher impact insulation class or IIC ratings for enhanced soundproofing. IIC ratings indicate how well the mat can dampen impact noise. Mats with high IIC ratings are ideal for multistory buildings and business complexes with increased foot traffic. Find the right thickness and material based on your needs, and comply with the building codes and regulations for sound transmission. Rubber mats usually offer superior sound dampening, while mesh or fibrous foams are ideal for reducing echoes. You can also install a mat under heavy-duty appliances to absorb vibrations. Look for mats compatible with your flooring finish and subfloor.

Minimizing Airborne Noise

Sound muffling mats can be installed on subfloors to minimize impact noise, but they also help reduce airborne noise. Airborne noise may become an issue if you live near a busy street, construction site, highway, or sports stadium. Other noises come from television sets, monitor systems, and chatter and don’t require direct contact for transmission. Installing sound-dampening mats and flooring can minimize the outdoor noise entering your space. Choose thick mats to provide more soundproofing mass for airborne noise. You can install multi-layered mats with specific weaving and materials to enhance sound isolation and dampening.

Look for mats with a higher sound transmission class or STC rating. The STC rating measures how well the mat reduces airborne noise and reverberations. Sound-dampening mats help to absorb and contain airborne noise, preventing further transmission. The mats work by blocking sound waves from penetrating while absorbing the energy and vibrations to reduce echoes. You can use them to soundproof studios and prevent echoes from leaking into microphones during podcasts and livestreams. The mats absorb the sound waves and limit noise transfer, improving speech clarity and the quality of recordings. Mats also encourage private, peaceful working and living environments. They’re suitable for home theaters, offices, music studios, classrooms, and other rooms that need proofing against outside noises.

Offering Versatile Solutions

Sound mats are beneficial for indoor applications due to their versatile nature. Installation experts are able to place these mats under flooring, on walls, or on ceilings. Individuals can also use them for both residential and commercial applications.

Find a High-quality Sound Mat Today

Soundproofing your room involves keeping outside noises out and containing indoor noise to avoid disturbances. You can also limit echoes and vibrations to muffle sound waves and reduce noise thresholds. Leading underlayment providers have many sound-attenuating solutions, including mats, gypcrete, and carpets. Contact a floor underlayment supplier today to find out more about sound mat options, applications, and benefits.