Hollow-core slabs are widely used in multi-storey buildings. As with solid concrete slabs, limiting impact sound transmission requires careful floor design. A floating screed laid over a resilient acoustic underlay separates the screed from the structural slab, helping to reduce impact noise. The resulting performance depends on the properties of the underlay and the thickness and composition of the screed.

Reinforced concrete slabs are widely used in new-build projects, where their mass can help limit airborne sound transmission. To control impact noise, a floating screed laid over a resilient acoustic underlay is an effective approach. By decoupling the screed and floor finish from the structural slab, this build-up helps reduce impact sound transmission and improve acoustic comfort. Overall performance depends on the complete floor construction.

Spaces with different uses within the same building may require higher levels of acoustic insulation, particularly at low frequencies. Isolgomma’s HIGHMAT hybrid panels combine resilient and fibrous components to help attenuate impact noise and may also contribute to thermal insulation. Installed as part of a suitably designed floating floor on a concrete slab, these solutions can help achieve low impact sound levels in applications such as hotels and premium residential buildings.

Concrete floors with underfloor heating need to combine thermal comfort with effective impact sound insulation. The heating system is incorporated into the screed, while a resilient underlay beneath the heated screed helps decouple it from the supporting floor build-up. This arrangement can reduce impact noise transmission while allowing the heating system to operate as designed. The complete build-up should be assessed to confirm both its acoustic and thermal performance.

In commercial and multi-purpose buildings, floor systems may need to withstand substantial static and dynamic loads without sacrificing acoustic comfort. Thick screeds, stored goods and frequent movement of wheeled equipment can place particular demands on the resilient layer. Under-screed insulation products designed for higher loads can help limit impact sound transmission while meeting the mechanical requirements of the complete floor build-up.

Traditional timber beam-and-board floors can present acoustic challenges because of their relatively low mass and flexibility. Impact noise and vibration can be transmitted readily, sometimes producing a ‘drum effect’. Installing a suitable resilient acoustic underlay beneath a floating screed, together with a lightweight levelling layer where required, can help decouple the walking surface and reduce transmission. Any additional load must be checked against the capacity of the existing structure.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor structures offer structural efficiency and rapid assembly, but their lower mass than many concrete floors can make low-frequency impact sound more challenging to control. A floating screed installed above a resilient acoustic underlay helps separate the walking surface from the CLT panel, reducing impact sound and vibration transmission. The complete floor build-up should be specified with the structural and acoustic requirements in mind.