Where And When Is Acoustic Sound Underlay Required? Acoustic underlay is specified by Architects for sound insulation in condominiums, hospitals, schools, hotels, and office buildings. IIC and STC sound control standards were developed to regulate the amount of noise allowed to penetrate through common walls and floors within dwellings. Impact Insulation Class (IIC) addresses noise generated by physical objects impacting a floor/wall surface such as footsteps, dropped objects, cabinet doors banging etc. The Sound Transmission Class (STC), covers airborne noise transmissions such a voice, music etc. Today Condo Associations and Municipalities use these standards for regulating sound control within multi-housing developments and high rise condominiums etc.  How Does Sound Insulation-Underlay Work? Sound control underlay is used for impact sound insulation, meaning the material is required to deaden sound by absorbing impacts from footsteps and furniture. The sound control underlay works by insulating the underlying sub floor from floor surface impacts, effectively stopping resulting structure born sound transmission at the source.  Under the IIC/STC rating system, the higher the number rating assigned to sound insulation, the better. In other words; rooms become increasingly quiet as the number increases. In contrast, a poorly insulated wood frame sub floor assembly may rate as low as IIC/STC-35 dB (decibels) or less. Most Condo Associations and Municipalities have adopted the International Building Code or Universal Building Code minimum rating of IIC-STC-50. Some luxury properties and municipalities have higher requirements.  How Do I Calculate The Soundproofing Requirement For IIC 50 (minimum to comply with the International or Universal Building Codes)?:
In order to achieve a minimum rating of 50 IIC, assuming Tile as the floor finish - the formula works like this: Slab of concrete IIC ____ + Soundproofing Δ ____ IIC = 50 IIC Δ IIC = The amount of sound reduction of the soundproofing product by itself. You should be able to add a couple decibels of sound value with wood, resilient flooring or carpet. If You Have 6" concrete slab: Assuming a low average value for 6" concrete (IIC 27) - you will need a soundproofing product with a minimum Δ 23 IIC to comply with the building code IIC 50. 6" Concrete IIC 27 + Soundproofing Δ 23 IIC = IIC 50. You need to specify: Sound Insulation with a Δ IIC 23 rating when using Tile - other floor finishes may add to the value. If You Have 8" concrete slab: An 8" concrete slab with a baseline IIC 32 value will require a soundproofing product with a minimum Δ 18 IIC to comply with the building code IIC 50. 8" Concrete IIC 32 + Soundproofing Δ 18 IIC = IIC 50. You need to specify: Sound Insulation with a Δ IIC 18 rating or better with Tile - other floor finishes may add to the value. Why Test With Ceramic Tile? Ceramic Tile is the worst case scenario and normally doesn't add IIC value assuming conventional tile and setting materials are used. Below is an example of the 'Delta Test' applied to 6mm (1/4") thick acoustic cork underlay: Note: The 'Delta Rating' (∆IIC 14dB) is the sound insulation value attributable to the underlay-tile combination - less the baseline value of the sub floor. In other words, the concrete sub floor must be tested first in order to accurately deduct it's 'baseline' acoustic value. Filtering out variables is important for accurate product evaluation as every decibel contributes significantly to the sound insulation value.   I Have Wood Frame Construction, Is This Information Valid For My Evaluation Purposes? Yes - however, because wood frame construction is light-weight compared to concrete, thicker-heavier sound control underlay is recommended to build up sub floor mass in order to insulate against structure borne sound. What is SOUND STEP Made From? SOUND STEP is a composition of recycled rubber granules from car tire rubber and 'color-flecs' composed of EDPM rubber recovered from flooring production waste along with recycled cork. The composite granules are cold bonded and heat cured with a high quality urethane binder. The use of recycled products such as car tires diverts huge amounts of waste from landfills which is beneficial for the environment and reduces overall demand for petroleum. Sound tests show that recycled rubber suppresses a wider range of sound frequencies VS cork, particularly low-frequency nuisance noise like heavy footsteps. Unlike acoustic cork, SOUND STEP remains flexible for life and will not rot, mold or mildew when exposed to high moisture conditions.  What types of flooring can be installed on SOUND STEP? One of the unique advantages of specifying SOUND STEP is the sheer versatility of the product. While most product specified for sound control are limited or designed expressly for a specific product application (such as floating floor underlay), SOUND STEP will support ceramic tile (direct bond applications) in light commercial areas as tested by the Tile Council of North America. When installing wood flooring by a method other than free-floating, Sound Step is glued direct to the sub floor with a rubber flooring adhesive such as Eco-Grip 3. Unlike acoustic cork, SOUND STEP is impervious to the elements so it can be used as underlay or flooring for many applications such as sports floors (surface and or substrate), deck-patio covering, marine decks etc. Like cork, SOUND STEP recycled rubber is specifically engineered to cushion and absorb surface impacts.  SOUND STEP Has A Semi-Porous Surface So What about Sub Floor Moisture Vapor? While SOUND STEP is impervious to moisture, certain decorative floor coverings like wood and PVC sheet and tile, have a specified moisture vapor transmission exposure limit. The upper end limit for most manufacturers is 3lbs. per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours (as measured by the Calcium Chloride Test). If moisture vapor transmissions exceed 3lbs., the sub floor must be receive a vapor retarding treatment or 'barrier' to reduce vapor transmissions into the compliant range. Eco-Grip 3 Adhesive (used to adhere SOUND STEP products and other flooring materials) can reduce vapor transmissions from a maximum allowable limit of 12lbs.(as measured prior to application), to the 3lb. or less compliant range when applied as directed (as measured after application).  Why are there different thicknesses of recycled rubber and cork underlay? Sub floor assemblies must have sound absorbing materials added to meet IIC-STC requirements. SOUND STEP Acoustic Underlays are applied directly beneath floor coverings and or applied as a 'base mat' beneath pour-able self-leveling underlay materials such as gypsum-concrete. Depending on the sound rating required, thicker, heavier acoustic underlay may be required to meet specific IIC-STC requirements.  Are There Any Limitations With Your Product Over Radiant Heated Sub Floors? There are no limitations other that those imposed by manufacturers of wood and resilient floor coverings. SOUND STEP has a very nominal BTU rating - less than 1/2 BTU per 2mm of thickness, so from the stand point of efficiency of operation, it contributes significantly less thermal resistance than wood flooring or carpet. For wood or resilient floors installed on slabs with embedded radiant heatings systems, the approach is the same as any potentially damp concrete slab. For more information on radiant heat installations, see our Installation and Technical Resources Page. How Can SOUND STEP Products Contribute To LEED Credits? SOUND STEP Flooring Products can contribute 2 additional LEED Material Resource and Environmental Quality Credits VS competing cork or recycled rubber flooring and acoustic underlays. SOUND STEP 'LEED-STAR' Composite contains 100% 'post-consumer' recycled rubber (car tire rubber) in addition to post manufacturing, pre-consumer recycled EDPM and natural cork 'color-flecs'. The potential for FSC Certification credits makes LEED-STAR composite unique within the industry.  SOUND STEP sound insulation products have been thoroughly tested for sound insulation value. Copies of test results may be obtained by request from SOUND STEP. |
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