Soundproofing your floor is a must especially if you live in an apartment building or condo with an upstairs neighbor.
You may even want to soundproof the floors in your homes too.
Maybe you have a home theater or office in your basement or under your bedrooms, these are scenarios where you will want to install some soundproof flooring.
However, soundproofing a floor may not be as easy as you think.
So how do you soundproof your floor in an easy and cost-effective way?
Soundproofing carpets and flooring materials are pretty common on the market.
While these may be able to muffle some of the sounds, they may not be ideal and will not provide the level of soundproofing that you need.
In this article, we will talk about soundproof flooring materials that will drastically reduce noise levels traveling through the floor.
For the steps on how to soundproof flooring, read our soundproofing between floors post.
Soundproof flooring materials and products
- STC Rating: 66
- IIC Rating: 67
- Thickness: 3mm
Soundproof underlay is a type of material that is applied over the subflooring and is then covered by your final flooring.
You will find most underlayment materials are made from cork sheets, vinyl, rubber, and foam.
The Roberts Super Felt Underlayment is a high-performance underlayment that can soundproof floors and cushion flooring.
It is made from recycled fibers which are then compressed through a high heat manufacturing process.
This process allows this product to be the perfect material for absorbing noise instead of acting as a surface for noise to reflect off of.
This soundproof underlay is dense and works great for laminate and engineered floors.
With 3mm thickness, this material has insulating properties which means that it can keep your cold floors warm and toasty in the winter and cool in the summer months.
It comes with a film overlay to protect your floors from any moisture coming from the subfloor.
Also included is a 1 3/4 inch adhesive strip for fast and easy installation along with a 3-inch overlap in the event you want to link this roll to another.
The Robert’s Super Felt Underlayment comes in a 360 sq foot roll.
- For use with engineered wood and laminate flooring
- Provides cushion over concrete and wood subfloors
- 360-Feet square roll.The IIC and STC tests measure sound transference from an upper level room to a...
- STC Rating: 66
- IIC Rating: 71
- Thickness: 3.1 mm
The QuietWalk Plus is very similar to the first product we’ve mentioned in that it is the ideal material to help reduce sounds traveling between floors.
This product works with laminate, hardwood, and engineered wood floors as well as other types of flooring to deliver great soundproofing properties.
It comes with a moisture-resistant vapor barrier that bonds well with a variety of adhesives to make the installation process easier.
The installation process is pretty fast and trouble-free since the material is easy to cut and rolls out and lays flat without rolling back.
This durable product is made from synthetic fiber that will not tear and is Greenguard certified due to the material having no petrochemical smell.
The fibers capture sounds and do not allow them to bounce around or travel between floors.
This underlayment also protects your floors covering material from thermal shock.
It does this by allowing the heat to permeate and distribute that heat evenly throughout the floor.
The QuietWalk Plus underlayment dimensions are 36 x 9 x 9 inch
- Use with Laminate, Floating Engineered, Nail Down and Glue-Down Flooring.
- Superior Sound Reduction ‐ Recycled fibers absorb sound and keep it from traveling to other rooms....
- Compression Resistant ‐ Dense recycled fiber structure supports the click-together mechanism and...
- STC Rating: 66
- IIC Rating: 68
- Thickness: 2.0 mm
We have yet another Robert’s product which is Robert’s First Step Underlayment.
This underlayment material is made from open-cell foam which is known to allow air to flow and circulate to protect floors from moisture vapor.
Due to this, you will be able to use this product on above and below-grade subfloors
It will reduce ambient noise and help to correct any minor imperfections in the subfloor.
This product is ideal for laminate and engineered hardwood floating floors in condos and multi-level dwellings.
While thinner than the previously mentioned underlayment, this product is still thick enough with an STC and ICC rating very close to the others.
Like the previous Robert’s product, this unit comes with an adhesive strip and a 4-inch overlap strip if you will be using more than one roll.
The Robert’s First Step Underlayment comes in a 630 square foot roll measuring 15.5 x 15.5 x 39.5 inches.
- First Step Premium 3-in-1 Underlayment, 100 sq. ft.Roll is designed for use under floating laminate...
- This product is meant for use on concrete slabs and wood subfloors that are on or above grade
- It is effective for sound reduction, comfort and even helps level minor sub-floor corrections
- STC Rating: 73
- IIC Rating: 74
- Thickness: 2.0 mm
This high-performance acoustic underlayment offers higher STC and IIC ratings thanks to its closed-cell polypropylene foam construction.
You will be able to find this unit in both regular and Ultraseal versions but the Ultraseal version is the best choice since it is easy to install with the lip and tape method.
Installation is very easy and can be done using a variety of different methods which gives you the flexibility to build your floor the way you want it.
Simply lay this material down before your favorite laminate or engineered hardwood floor stops the transmission of sounds.
This product has an excellent moisture and mold barrier to ensure that your floors never suffer from damage due to excess moisture.
It is also very safe and environmentally friendly due to its low VOC content and is 100% recyclable.
The Floor Muffler Ultraseal 2mm Silent Underlayment is possibly the best floor soundproofing underlayment to reduce the sound of footfalls.
It comes in a 700 square foot roll.
- Thickness: 50 mil
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Dimensions: 402 x 18 x 0.05 inches
Sound Deadening Vinyl or Mass Loaded Vinyl is a dense rubber-like material.
This material can be used in many situations including soundproofing floors.
The density of this material is what helps it to kill sounds and ensures that the transmission of sound is fully eliminated.
It is a very versatile material that usually has adhesive on one side and can be cut to fit any shape no matter where you need it.
FatMat Self-Adhesive Sound deadener is 18 inches wide and 33.5 feet long and absorbs noise and vibrations to control annoying sounds
It comes with a full installation kit including instructions, roller, knife, and fat mat sound control decal.
This sound-deadening vinyl absorbs noise and vibrations that travel through vehicle floors which can be irritating when driving.
It works to reduce noise from the road, the engine, exhaust, and any annoying rattles that your vehicle may produce.
This material is very easy to install since it features adhesive on one side so all you have to do is cut, peel off the protective lining and apply.
You can use FatMat sound deadener on the floors and doors of your cars, trucks, RV’s, boats, and even in the home.
- One 18 inch wide x 33.5 feet long Roll of Self-Adhesive FatMat (50 Sq Ft Total) with Install Kit...
- 50 Mil Nominal Thickness
- Sound Dampening for Automobiles, Boats, Homes, Computers
- Thickness: ⅛ inches
- Weight: 42.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 48 x 6 x 6 inches
This TMS Mass Loaded Vinyl has an STC rating of 20 and is 1/8 of an inch thick.
It provides the best noise reduction solution without burying yourself in unnecessary expenses such as a major wall or floor reconstruction.
Made from high-quality extruded virgin material, this MLV is environmentally friendly and has no odor.
This flooring soundproofing material has a tensile strength of 1350 kPa min and a tear strength of 4500/m (26 psi) which renders it virtually indestructible.
It works to reduce noise transfer and is suitable to block both airborne and impact noises.
This product can be used on both floors and walls to stop sound waves from passing through and annoying you.
The material is heavy and dense so you will need a quality pair of heavy-duty scissors or utility knife to cut it.
Aside from that, the installation is very straight-forward.
- Made in the USA - High Quality!
- Perfect for Automobiles, Condos, Apartments, Studios, Classrooms, Medical Facilities and more
- 1 pound per square foot density.
- Density: 8 pounds
- Weight: 54 pounds
- Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 12 inches
If your flooring project is at its beginning stage then it would be best to install acoustic insulation batts in the flooring structure.
This material will need to be placed under the subfloor between the joists.
The application process closely resembles the same procedure as installing insulation batts in walls.
In this instance, however, the insulation will be placed snugly between the floor beams to reduce sound.
The Rockwool Acoustic Mineral Wool Insulation is the perfect rigid material for filling your floor structure.
Install these bats before laying the subflooring for it to act as a great soundproofing barrier.
This insulation can also be used to improve acoustics and can be used to construct bass traps for recording studios.
It is a very cost-effective solution when it comes to soundproofing and has a very high NRC rating no matter the type of flooring you place it under.
It is important for you to know if you do choose to use this material you need to protect yourself.
You will need safety gears that will help you avoid breathing in the material and avoid contact with your face and skin.
- Mineral Wool Insulation in 8lbs per unit density.
- Great as Acoustic insulation or as a soundproofing material
- Cost effective and Very High NRC Rating, better than Owens Corning 703
- Thickness: ½ inch
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Dimensions: 25 x 4 x 25 inches
On their own, acoustic floor tiles can do a fairly reasonable job at reducing sounds.
However, you get the best results if they are combined with some form of underlayment or floor mats.
Acoustic floor tiles should be used in conjunction with other soundproofing materials to eliminate sounds.
Together they can absorb footfall noises in high traffic areas.
The ProsourceFit Exercise mat features an interlocking design to make it easier to install.
These foam tiles can be placed over existing floors and are lightweight and durable.
Use them in just about any room in the home or apartment to cover hard surface floors and create an impact-absorbing space.
They are a great addition as they provide great style and come in various colors to match every décor.
These EVA foam tiles are water-resistant, non-skid, and offer a cheap option when looking for ways to reduce noise.
- Thickness: ¼ inch
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
- Dimensions: 120 x 96 x 0.25 inches
These types of carpets feature thicker padding than the ones you can find almost everywhere.
The thicker pads absorb sounds better and stop the transmission of sounds to the rooms below.
The CraftsRugs Premium Grip Rug Pad comes with a non-slip design and is crafted from 100% recycled materials.
It uses a 100% natural-rubber and 100% felt to make up an extra dense cushion that absorbs footfalls.
The non-skid design keeps your rug securely in place and acts as an additional soundproof barrier on your floor.
This rug pad will not mar, stain, or discolor your finished floor surfaces or rugs.
They are safe to use in any room and can be reversed to be used in rug-to-carpet applications instead as a pad for holding your rug in pla
- Premium, reversible non-slip rug pad designed for hard surfaces and carpet
- Extends the life of your Area Rug; Adds Cushion Underfoot; Keeps Rugs Securely in Place
- Low VOC (meets or exceeds Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label low emission standards);...
Types of floor sound deadening materials to reduce noise
Floor sound deadening materials can be identified by the various types which are listed below.
To install and make use of these types of materials read this how to soundproof a floor or how to soundproof a room post.
Acoustic Underlayment
Acoustic Underlayment is a type of soundproof flooring that uses special materials that can be laid over concrete or plywood subfloors to cushion the floor and reduce the effects of airborne and impact noises.
Sound Deadening Vinyl
Sound Deadening Vinyl also called Mass Loaded Vinyl is usually made from a thin but heavy vinyl sheet.
This special type of vinyl can dampen sounds in various places including floors, walls, and vehicles.
You can slip some of this under the best quiet treadmill if you’re living in an apartment and your downstairs neighbor complains when you work out.
Sound Absorbing Floor Insulation
Sound Absorbing Floor Insulation will include any type of acoustic insulation that can be stuffed between floor joists.
They will need to be placed immediately below the subfloor to help minimize the amount of sound that travels between floors.
Soundproof flooring insulation material can also be used from the ceiling on the floor below.
Acoustic Floor Tiles
Acoustic floor tiles are a special type of floor tiles that aims to reduce echo and reverberations in rooms with many hard surfaces.
While in use on floors, they provide a soft surface to absorb sound instead of allowing them to reflect and reverbs around the room.
Sound Absorbing Carpet Padding
The market is flooded with cheap carpets that claim to have soundproof properties to minimize noise between floors.
However, these aren’t what you should be looking for if you want to drastically cut down the amount of noise you hear.
You will need a carpet with a thicker pad and high pile to achieve maximum soundproofing properties the denser the carpet the better it will be at absorbing noise.
What to look for when choosing floor soundproofing materials
When choosing floor soundproofing materials, there are a couple of things you need to remember.
Below we’ve discussed these factors in detail to help you make a better choice.
Be sure to check these ratings when on the hunt for soundproof flooring materials.
Sound Transmission Class Rating
Sound transmission class rating or STC rating is the numeric rating that is applied to products to let you know how good the product is at blocking airborne sounds.
The higher the STC rating the better the product is at soundproofing and should be the first thing you need to look at when choosing a floor soundproofing material.
Impact Insulation Class Rating
Impact Insulation Class Rating or IIC rating shows how well the flooring material performs the block out impact noises.
In this instance the IIC rating will help to block impact noises like footsteps but also the moving around of furniture etc. similar to the STC rating the higher the IIC rating the better.
Thickness and density
To effectively block sounds and reduce the amount of noise between floors mass matters.
The thicker and denser your material the better soundproofing properties the product will have.
This is because sounds would not be able to pass through a thick material as easily as they would with a thinner one.