Acoustic Underlay Under Tiles — Does It Work?

Written by our acoustic insulation specialist — 15+ years experience supplying soundproofing to UK homeowners, developers and contractors. About our experts.

From our acoustic insulation specialist.

The short answer: standard acoustic underlay cannot go directly under ceramic or porcelain tiles — but there are solutions specifically designed for this application.

Why Standard Underlay Cannot Go Under Tiles

Ceramic and porcelain tiles require a rigid, stable substrate — they will crack if laid over a resilient, compressible layer. Standard acoustic rubber underlays are designed for floating hard floor finishes, not tile adhesive beds. Laying tiles over rubber underlay will result in cracked tiles and a failed installation.

What Does Work Under Tiles

For impact noise reduction under tiles, the approach is different: acoustic screed systems, acoustic isolation boards, or our 12mm acoustic flooring system which can be used as a substrate for certain tile adhesive systems. For tiled wet rooms and bathrooms, specialist acoustic boards are available — contact our team for a free specification.

The Alternative Approach

If the noise problem is severe and tiling is not fixed, consider: replacing the tile finish with a hard floor on our 6mm acoustic underlay. This is the most practical solution for serious impact noise reduction. Contact our team for advice on your specific situation.