When it comes to soundproofing floors, particularly separating floors (floors that separate different levels of a building, such as between apartments or different floors of a house), there are specific strategies that tend to be more effective than others.

Insulating both sides of a separating floor is the most effective method to treat sound transmission, but it might not always be necessary or practical based on your circumstances.

If you’re only able to work on the floor from above, there are still options like thick carpets and this type of soundproofing kit.

However, if you have access to the space below and noise is a significant issue, adding insulation and soundproofing elements to the ceiling below can complement what’s done on the floor above, making both layers together more effective in sound reduction.

Choosing the right acoustic underlayment for a wooden floor is crucial because wood can amplify both impact and airborne noise. There are several types of underlayments suitable for wooden floors, each offering different levels of sound dampening. When considering a wood or laminate floor finish, your main concern would be compression resistance: You will want something that can withstand the weight of the floor and furniture without compressing too much, as compression can reduce effectiveness.

We have soundprrofing kits that are tested and specified for wood and laminate floors here

There are only a few products on the market that have been tested to under tiles. One of those is the Acoustilay  Tile Mat. This product is more ridgid than other acoustic underlay materials and you can apply stone or ceramic tiles directly to the mat.

This floor soundproofing solution is designed to exceed Part E Acoustic Building Regulations. So, it’s only the installation that could let you down. The main focus to do your homework on what noises are present and where they are coming from.

This kit will be a vast improvement to any untreated floor construction and will also help you comply with building regulations.

But its important to note that insulating both sides of a seperating floor will be the best option.

This kit provides sound reduction in both airborne and impact sound.

There are two types of noise you might be dealing with: airborne noise (like voices or music) and impact noise (like footsteps or items dropping). Different soundproofing methods will address these types of sound differently.

he materials used in the construction of the floor play a significant role in how sound travels. Dense materials can stop more sound, and adding mass can be a way to reduce noise. Components like resilient channels can significantly improve sound insulation by providing a break in the direct path of sound waves.