What is the Best Underlay for Noise Reduction in the UK?

Learn about noise reduction solutions for UK floors - from carpets to laminates - including MuTeMat 2, Reverso SoundMat 3 Plus & Noisestop 12 mm Acoustic Base.

What is the Best Underlay for Noise Reduction in the UK?

Noise reduction is an important factor to consider when it comes to flooring. To reduce impact noise, the best base for carpets is the MuTeMat 2, which combines a high-mass vinyl layer with a closed-cell absorbent foam layer. The foam will compress slightly under pressure to absorb impact noise. Of course, the Reverso SoundMat can be used on most final finishes of hardwood floors without the need to add an additional layer.

If you use the SoundMat 3 Plus or the SoundMat 2 Plus as a solution for acoustic flooring, you can apply directly to the top any engineered wood floor that is 18 mm or more thick. For any thinner hard finish, we recommend a 6mm hard plate to provide a flat, stable base. Duralay king is the best option for reducing impact noise on floors with underfloor heating. It is a product used for carpets and not suitable for laminates. The best base for vinyl floors is an acoustic felt, such as the one specifically designed by our product team. This type of material is perfect for vinyl, as it's thinner and less dense, so it relives much of the “bounce” you'd experience with other materials when using vinyl.

QuietFloor Plus is a magnificent soundproofed and improved base designed to reduce both impacts and noise from air through floors. Suitable for application under carpets, laminate floors and engineered wood floors.

Our most popular soundproof base is the Noisestop 12 mm acoustic base.

It effectively minimizes both impact and airborne noise, thanks to its two-layer design that provides the necessary weight to reduce airborne sounds and the closed-cell foam to absorb impact. This base complies with part E of the building regulations and effectively reduces noise levels in homes. It's ideal for reducing the average levels of unwanted sound from a neighboring property, such as footsteps, television noise and conversations.

The Noisestop acoustic base is compatible with most types of floors, including engineered wood, laminate, tiles and LVT. Beware of the best trick, according to which companies that sell carpet layers with soundproofing qualities cite a figure in dB, however, this only shows how much airborne noise is blocked on a concrete floor, of which the base of the carpet accounts for only 5%. By having several layers of different thicknesses and densities, you can smooth out this drop in performance and achieve the best soundproofing of your acoustic base. To improve sound reduction qualities, you can use it in conjunction with other acoustic products, such as acoustic overlay plates. In the case of carpets, you need a product that is soft but does not touch the bottom, like many of the acoustic base layers on the market. The sound-insulated floor layer options available from specialized manufacturers represent a major improvement over standard products.

If Quietfloor PLUS is used as an acoustic base under a carpet, perimeter protection strips must be installed around the edges of the floor, next to the wall. According to the figures, the Noisestop acoustic base reduces both aerial and impact sounds, with a reduction of 48 dB for aerial sounds and 46 dB for impact sounds. Second, choose one of the following acoustic bases or soundproofing mats for wooden floors, depending on the level and type of noise. Although you should have a base in every room of your house, you don't need a soundproof base in every room. Close hermetically against the wall: place the acoustic base at wall height, place a washer on the mat and use the inside of the washer to draw a line on the mat by dragging it across the wall for an exact replica of the shape and curve of the wall.

Because floor tiles can be small and fragile, you should not place them on soft, padded bases (such as acoustic layers), as this increases the chance of them cracking and breaking. The science behind acoustic subsoil layers can be complicated, but the main factors that reduce sound come down to three components.

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