Does Acoustic Insulation Help with Street Noise?

Written by our acoustic insulation specialist — 15+ years experience. About our experts.

Street noise — traffic, pedestrians, sirens — is airborne noise that enters through windows, walls, and floors. Acoustic underlay primarily addresses floor-transmitted noise, so the honest answer here requires some nuance.

How Street Noise Enters a Building

Most street noise enters through windows (40-60% of transmission), then walls, and finally floors. If you live on a ground or lower floor and experience significant street noise, treating the floor with acoustic underlay will provide modest improvement — but addressing windows and walls will have much greater impact.

When Floor Treatment Helps with Street Noise

Our 6mm rubber underlay adds mass to the floor, which reduces airborne sound transmission — including some street noise. The improvement is real but secondary to window and wall treatment. For basement flats where the floor is near street level, acoustic underlay can provide more noticeable benefit.

Complete Street Noise Solution

Secondary glazing (most effective for traffic noise), acoustic mineral wool in external walls, and our cork-rubber composite underlay (excellent thermal + acoustic properties) together provide a comprehensive solution.

Browse our acoustic underlay range or contact our experts for a free recommendation.