Barriers for Floors

Barrier materials with decoupling layers or underlayments can be used to control floor to floor sound. In addition to reducing airbourne sound, the separated barriers help to reduce the sound energy that can get into the structure and travel to other parts of the building.

These treatments can be particularly useful in buildings and homes where ceilings are finished. It is a common way to control unwanted sound in multi-floor homes that are converted into separate apartments.

BM -1C is a barrier material within an attached foam decoupling layer that can be placed directly on the floor then covered with carpet. The barrier lays flat and does not need to be glued or fastened to the floor. The sound transmission loss that is a achieved is significant compared to other methods that usually require a great deal more mass in the assembly.

Plain barrier material like the 5 B-OB can be used in conjunction with Duracoustic underlayment. This combination increases transmission loss and provides impact isolation to reduce the sound of people walking or moving around overhead.

The Duracoustic is laid out on the floor with no installation requirements other than taping the seams. The 5 B-OB barrier is rolled out on top – perpendicular to the runs of Duracoustic( seams also taped) carpet is installed directly over the decoupled barrier to complete the floor finish.