How to Tell If Your Floor Needs Acoustic Underlay

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

Not every floor needs acoustic underlay — but many do. Here is how to assess whether your floor would benefit from acoustic treatment.

Signs Your Floor Needs Acoustic Underlay

• You can clearly hear footsteps from above (impact noise)
• People below complain about noise from your floor
• You are installing a new hard floor finish over concrete or screed
• You are converting a house to flats (Part E compliance required)
• The existing floor feels hollow or resonant when you walk on it
• You are in a flat — any multi-storey residential building benefits from acoustic underlay

Simple Self-Test

Stand in the room and stamp your foot firmly. If someone below can hear it clearly, you have a significant impact noise problem. Walk normally — if footsteps are audible, acoustic underlay will help. Drop a book on the floor — if the impact is clearly audible from below, acoustic treatment is worthwhile.

What to Do Next

For most situations: start with our 6mm rubber underlay (74dB) — it is the best all-round product for first-time acoustic treatment. For compliance requirements: 12mm acoustic flooring system. Contact our team if you are unsure.

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