Our Clients
Description
WHY CHOOSE SILENTBASE CLASSIC
- 🔇 21 dB ΔLw Impact Sound Reduction — outstanding acoustic performance achieved with any glue-down resilient floor covering installed on top
- ⚡ Fast-Track Installation — self-adhesive boards laid as free-floating subfloor in hours, no screeds, no primers, no nails required
- 🏗️ No Removal of Old Floors — install directly over existing floor coverings, loosening screeds, minor cracks or surface contamination
- 📐 Only 10mm Thick — minimal floor height increase, suitable where headroom is critical
- 🏠 Commercial & Domestic — proven in apartments, offices, schools and hotels across the UK
SilentBase Classic — 10mm Acoustic Fast-Track Subfloor System | 21 dB ΔLw Impact Sound Reduction
SilentBase Classic is the professional's choice for fast-track acoustic subfloor preparation — a self-adhesive acoustic panel system that delivers outstanding impact sound reduction of 21 dB ΔLw and above, without the time, cost, and disruption of traditional floor preparation methods.
Installed as a free-floating subfloor, the two self-adhesive panel components instantly smooth over irregularities and create a perfectly level, acoustically isolated base — ready to accept glue-down resilient floor coverings immediately. No screeds, no primers, no mechanical fixings, and no requirement to remove existing floor coverings first.
Used by flooring contractors, acoustic consultants, builders, and property developers in apartments, flats, offices, schools, and hotels across the UK where impact sound transmission between floors must be controlled.
Full Technical Specification
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 10mm (0.39") |
| Impact Sound Reduction | From 21 dB ΔLw (with any resilient floor covering bonded on top) |
| Coverage per Pack | 2.88 m² |
| Installation Method | Self-adhesive, free-floating — no fixings, nails, or primers required |
| Compatible Floor Coverings | Sheet vinyl, LVT, linoleum, cork, rubber, carpet, carpet tiles |
| Suitable Substrates | Concrete, timber, existing floor coverings, minor cracked or contaminated surfaces |
| Application | Domestic and commercial — apartments, offices, schools, hotels |
| Tools Required | Basic hand tools only — Stanley knife, tape measure, straight edge |
| Reversibility | Fully removable without damage to original substrate |
What Makes SilentBase Classic Different
Traditional floor preparation — screeds, self-levelling compounds, ply boards — adds days of dry time, significant cost, and the irreversible disruption of ripping up existing floors. SilentBase Classic eliminates all of that:
- No screeds or self-levelling compounds — the free-floating panels smooth minor irregularities instantly on contact
- No removal of existing coverings — install directly over old vinyl, tiles, timber, or screed, even if lightly contaminated or cracked
- No primers or adhesives for the panels — both components are self-adhesive; the floor covering is then bonded to the top surface in the normal way
- No risk to pipes and cables — no mechanical fixings penetrate the substrate
- Fully reversible — the system can be lifted without damage, an asset in leasehold and commercial settings
Compatible Floor Coverings
SilentBase Classic is designed for glue-down resilient floor coverings bonded directly to the top surface of the panels:
- Sheet vinyl (cushioned and non-cushioned)
- Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) — glue-down format
- Linoleum
- Cork flooring (glue-down)
- Rubber flooring — sheets and tiles
- Carpet (direct stick)
- Carpet tiles
Not suitable for: Click-lock or floating floor systems (laminate, click LVT). SilentBase Classic requires the floor covering to be glued directly to the panel surface for optimal acoustic performance.
Where SilentBase Classic Is Used
- Apartments and flats — meeting Part E building regulations for impact sound between floors; critical for new build and conversion projects
- Commercial offices — controlling floor-to-floor noise transfer in multi-storey office blocks, particularly where sheet vinyl or carpet tiles are the specified finish
- Schools and universities — acoustic performance in corridors, classrooms, and multi-use spaces with hard-wearing resilient finishes
- Hotels and hospitality — guest room to guest room impact isolation where LVT or carpet tile is the chosen floor covering
- Healthcare facilities — quiet, acoustic flooring in clinical environments where hygiene-grade resilient coverings are specified
- Refurbishment projects — where minimum disruption, speed, and reversibility are critical; existing floor coverings left in situ
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
- Inspect the substrate — ensure the existing floor is structurally sound and firmly bonded. Clean off loose dust and debris. Minor cracks, surface contamination, and existing floor coverings can remain.
- Plan your layout — dry-lay panels to work out your cutting plan, similar to laying ceramic tiles. Stagger joints between rows by at least a third of the panel width for structural integrity.
- Peel and lay Component 1 — peel backing paper and press down firmly. The self-adhesive face bonds immediately to most substrates. Use a hand roller for full contact.
- Apply Component 2 — peel and press the second layer directly onto the first. The two components create the finished 10mm acoustic base.
- Cut to size — use a sharp Stanley knife and straight edge. Cuts cleanly and accurately without power tools.
- Bond your floor covering — apply appropriate adhesive to the top surface and lay your resilient floor covering in the normal way. Standard trowel-applied adhesives are recommended.
Understanding 21 dB ΔLw Impact Sound Reduction
ΔLw (Delta Lw) is the standard measure used in EN ISO 10140 acoustic testing to quantify how much impact sound (footsteps, dropped objects, moving furniture) a product reduces between floor and ceiling. A higher ΔLw means more sound reduction.
- 21 dB ΔLw — the minimum achieved with any compatible resilient covering bonded on top. Typical installations achieve higher reductions depending on the floor covering type and substrate.
- In practice, 21 dB ΔLw is a significant reduction — perceptible as moving from clearly audible footsteps above to noticeably muffled, low-level sound.
- For Part E compliance in UK residential buildings, the required impact sound pressure level is ≤62 dB (L'nT,w). SilentBase Classic, installed correctly with appropriate floor coverings, contributes meaningfully to meeting this requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to remove my existing floor covering before installing?
No. SilentBase Classic is specifically designed to install over existing floor coverings — old vinyl, carpet, tiles, and timber — provided they are firmly bonded, flat, and structurally sound. Loosening screeds or laitance should be removed, but general surface contamination and minor cracks can remain.
Can I install underfloor heating with SilentBase Classic?
SilentBase Classic is not designed for use in conjunction with electric or hydronic underfloor heating systems. If underfloor heating is present, consult with a specialist acoustic flooring adviser before specifying this product.
Will this help me meet Part E building regulations?
SilentBase Classic contributes significantly to impact sound reduction and is used in many projects targeting Part E compliance. However, compliance depends on the entire floor build-up including the substrate, floor covering, and ceiling construction below. We recommend pre-completion acoustic testing to confirm compliance for notifiable work.
What floor coverings can I bond to the top?
Sheet vinyl, LVT (glue-down), linoleum, cork, rubber, carpet (direct stick), and carpet tiles. The floor covering must be bonded to the panel surface with appropriate adhesive — SilentBase Classic is not suitable for floating or click-lock floor systems.
How much will floor height increase?
The panels add 10mm to the existing floor level. The total floor height increase will be 10mm plus the thickness of your chosen floor covering. Where existing floor coverings are left in place, add their thickness too. Check door clearances and threshold transitions before ordering.
How many packs do I need?
Each pack covers 2.88 m². Measure your room area in m², divide by 2.88, and round up to the nearest pack. Add 5–10% for cuts and waste on rooms with alcoves or irregular shapes.
Can the system be removed later?
Yes. The panels are installed as a free-floating system without mechanical fixings. They can be lifted and removed without damage to the original substrate — a significant advantage in leasehold properties and commercial refurbishments where original floor finishes must be preserved.
