Soundproofing the floor in the apartment itself

Owners of typical panel buildings often become hostages of increased sound permeability of an apartment. And not always the troublemakers are neighbors living from above. Very often, a lot of inconvenience comes from people living under you. This suggests that in panel houses the insulation of the floor screed in the apartment is at a low level, and this problem must be urgently addressed. In the article we will describe how to make soundproofing of the floor in the apartment with your own hands, and also show the video instruction.

There are many materials and options for sound insulation, the choice depends on what kind of finishing coating you will use.

Sound insulation for cement screed

This variant of sound insulation can be done in three ways:

• the traditional method of using sand concrete with the addition of expanded clay or polystyrene;
• with release layers;
• on a floating basis.

The most reliable option - floating screed. When working between layers of insulation and finishing coating there will be no connections that play the role of acoustic bridges that transmit noise through the building structure.

Floating device

In fact, the execution and complexity of work, this method of sound insulation can be divided into three options:

1. Prefab.
2. Concrete.
3. Dry screed.

Regardless of the method of execution, the main component is mineral wool.

Installation of a floating floor system

• Before work, all the protuberances are carefully removed from the base and the depressions are leveled, after which all dirt must be swept away.
• Bitumen mastic is applied to the dried surface to ensure waterproofing.
• Now you need to plan the height of the contour of the entire room. After selecting the starting point using the water level, labels are set at each corner of the room.
• Now you need to lay soundproof material on the base, for this purpose mineral wool or foam is used.

Note! If you decide to use mineral wool, before laying it on the surface it is imperative to install a vapor barrier, all joints of which should be glued with construction tape.

• The sound insulation layer should be covered with a plastic film and a reinforcing mesh should be laid on top of it.
• The final part of the pouring concrete mix. For the manufacture of the mixture is recommended to use cement brand M300.

After hardening, any kind of finishing finish can be laid on the surface.

Dry screed option

Such soundproofing does not imply the use of cement mortar. Here a prefabricated structure is laid on the leveled surface, in which dry soundproof material, expanded clay or perlite is poured. This is a more economical and less costly option.

Soundproofing technology dryfill

• As in the first embodiment, the surface is thoroughly prepared first.
• Then, using the laser level, mark the height of the bedding. If there is no laser level, you can use the water level.
• Next, you need to fix the edge tape, as which you can use polyethylene foam.

Note! Because the bedding for sound insulation has a fine-grained fraction and is characterized by a low moisture resistance, it is better to lay the entire working area with a plastic film before backfilling. When laying, make sure that there is a small overlap in the joints, and be sure to glue such places with duct tape.

• The next stage is backfilling, and this must be done strictly to the intended level.
• The finishing layer will be the installation of gypsum-fiber boards, which are glued together with special glue.

Prefab option

Too inexpensive and not too costly in terms of the execution of work method. With its sound insulation, performed in this way, the concrete mix is ​​also not used, and the finishing is done by laying two layers of plywood or chipboard.

• As in the first two cases, the surface is thoroughly prepared by leveling and cleaning.
• The second step is “laying” the soundproofing material, in which quality it is better to use polystyrene foam or cork backing.

Note! In all three variants, the sound-proofing material must be laid, taking into account that its edges will slightly project above the topcoat. At the end of the work they are cut, and the remaining edges are hidden under the plinths.

• The third stage - laying plywood. Attach it better with special fasteners.
• Then the plywood is painted and impregnated with lacquer formulations, after drying of which you can proceed to laying the finishing coating.

What materials to use

For sound insulation of interfloor ceilings, certain variants of sound insulators are used, and before making sound insulation of the floor, it is necessary to become familiar with their characteristics.

Mineral and glass wool

This is a very good and convenient in terms of styling material. Only, working with it, it is necessary to take into account its feature of absorbing moisture and before laying it is necessary to make waterproofing.

Styrofoam

It is moisture resistant and eco-friendly material. It is easy to lay, because it has a porous structure and, if necessary, it can be used for insulation of any premises.

Polypropylene foam

This material is the best option, because it has a light weight, has good flexibility and with its use does not need to carry out additional waterproofing.

According to noise-absorbing characteristics, these are excellent materials; their only ability to withstand loads is different. And not all options can be laid under the cement screed.

Some tips

1. With all the desire, you will not be able to achieve complete sound insulation, as modern materials will not allow this, even if you lay them in several layers. This will reduce the height of the room, with a slight improvement in sound insulation.
2. If there are any communications in the room where the floor will be soundproofed, they must be insulated with an elastic material.
3. When installing a floating floor, after laying the topcoat, the plinth can only be fixed to one base, wall or floor. In another case, it will serve as a resonator of shock oscillations.
4. Considering the specifics of the material when purchasing it, you need to ask the sellers to provide you with a document that it has passed all the necessary checks and is suitable for use in residential premises.

Video

This video shows the process of sound insulation of the floor with the mixture "Shumoplast":