What dB Reduction Do I Need? UK Noise Guide
Written by our acoustic insulation specialist — 15+ years experience. About our experts.
One of the most important — and most misunderstood — questions in acoustic insulation is: how many dB do I need to reduce? After answering this question for hundreds of UK customers, here is the clear answer.
How dB Reduction Feels in Practice
| dB Reduction | What You Notice |
|---|---|
| 3dB | Barely perceptible difference |
| 10dB | Noise sounds roughly half as loud |
| 20dB | Noise sounds about four times quieter |
| 30dB | Dramatic reduction — significant real-world improvement |
| 40dB+ | Near-complete isolation (requires full system) |
What Our Products Achieve
Our 3mm underlay achieves 54dB ΔLw — real, perceptible improvement. Our 6mm at 74dB — meaningful, significant improvement. Our 12mm system — 30dB impact + 58dB airborne — the full package for Part E compliance.
What Part E Requires
Separating floors in new builds must achieve L'nT,w ≤ 62dB (impact) and DnT,w ≥ 45dB (airborne) in field tests. A single underlay product cannot achieve these targets alone — they require a complete floor system.
Browse our acoustic underlay range or contact our experts for a free recommendation.