What type of flooring is best for quiet living?

From public buildings where people require peace for reading to care homes where residents may need less noise to get their rest, many buyers of floors may be looking for a quieter option that can effectively dampen sounds. This is also a concern for numerous property owners across the country. From ensuring they don’t annoy their neighbours below in apartments to muffling music and television noise so it won’t disturb others in busy family homes, selecting a suitable floor that can absorb noise is key.

In the next passages, we’ll explore some of the flooring solutions that can be ideal for keeping parts of your home or business premises quieter for the benefit of those who live and work within them, and for those who reside nearby.

Carpeted flooring

Wall-to-wall carpeting is renowned for acting as a heat insulator for homes, effectively blocking cold draughts that come up between floorboards, but they can also insulate spaces from unwanted sound. The higher the pile of carpet, the more sounds will be effectively mitigated, with footsteps also cushioned, reducing their acoustic impact. Carpet tiles can be an easier to care for option than wall-to-wall carpeting, and they can still deliver excellent noise absorbency.

Rubber flooring

Commercial flooring solutions made from rubber are favoured by gyms, hospitals, kitchens and schools. This hardwearing option is not only exceptional for reducing noise levels, but can also provide a non-slip surface that is resistant to both mould and mildew for enhanced hygiene levels demanded by health and safety regulations.

Luxury vinyl tile flooring

From homeowners to hoteliers, luxury vinyl tile – or LVT for short – is a commonly selected option to cut back on unwanted sounds when selecting new flooring. Low maintenance and prized for its longevity, LVT combined with appropriate underlayers can provide a solution to unwanted sounds.

One of LVT’s most sought-after qualities is its versatility. This high-end vinyl can come shaped like wooden boards or ceramic tiles, and it’s able to mimic authentic timber or natural stone at a fraction of the price. It’s also much quieter to walk on than a solid wood floor or one that’s been tiled with stone, making it an exceptional option when you’re looking for less noise.

The importance of underlay

If you’re looking to supress unwanted sounds around your enterprise or home property, a key factor when installing a new floor is to select a high-quality underlay to fit beneath. Along with making floors more comfortable to walk on, this additional layer can efficiently absorb more sound. Fitted upstairs, it can block unwanted noise from rooms below and stop them from being invaded by the sounds coming from up above.

Finally, it’s worth remembering that the type of flooring selected must always be chosen with the building’s use firmly in focus. For example, while carpet can be effective at reducing the impact of sound, it can be difficult to clean, making it unsuitable for hotels and hospitals that will see a heavier footfall.