How to Soundproof Your Hardwood Floors: A Complete Guide
Hardwood floors are a popular choice for many homeowners because of their classic beauty and excellent durability. However, they also have a major drawback: they are very noisy. Hardwood floors can transmit both airborne and impact noises, which can disturb your peace and quiet, or annoy your neighbors.
Fortunately, there are ways to soundproof your hardwood floors and reduce the noise they make. In this blog post, we will show you how to soundproof your hardwood floors using different materials and methods. We will also compare the pros and cons of each option, and give you some tips on how to choose the best one for your needs and budget.
Types of Noise: Airborne and Impact
Before we dive into the soundproofing solutions, let’s first understand the types of noise that hardwood floors can produce or transmit. There are two main categories of noise: airborne and impact.
- Airborne noise is the sound that travels through the air, such as voices, music, or traffic. Airborne noise can enter or leave your room through gaps, cracks, or holes in the walls, windows, doors, or floors. Airborne noise can be reduced by using sound-absorbing materials, such as insulation, foam, or curtains, that can block or absorb the sound waves.
- Impact noise is the sound that results from direct contact between objects, such as footsteps, furniture moving, or dropping items. Impact noise can travel through the structure of the building, such as the beams, joists, or subfloors, and cause vibrations. Impact noise can be reduced by using sound-isolating materials, such as underlayment, rubber, or cork, that can create a barrier or cushion between the surfaces.
Soundproofing Hardwood Floors: Materials and Methods
There are several ways to soundproof your hardwood floors, depending on the type of noise you want to reduce, the level of soundproofing you need, and the budget you have. Here are some of the most common and effective materials and methods to soundproof your hardwood floors:
Underlayment
Underlayment is a layer of material that is installed between the subfloor and the hardwood floor. Underlayment can help reduce both airborne and impact noise by creating a buffer between the surfaces and absorbing or dispersing the sound waves. Underlayment can also provide other benefits, such as moisture protection, thermal insulation, and comfort.
There are different types of underlayment available, such as foam, rubber, cork, felt, or fiber. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the thickness, density, cost, and installation method. Here is a table that compares some of the most popular types of underlayment for hardwood floors:
| Type | Thickness | Density | Cost | Installation | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foam | 2-6 mm | Low-Medium | Low | Easy | Lightweight, cheap, moisture-resistant | Not very effective for impact noise, may compress over time |
| Rubber | 3-12 mm | High | Medium-High | Easy-Moderate | Durable, resilient, effective for impact noise, moisture-resistant | Expensive, heavy, may smell |
| Cork | 3-6 mm | Medium-High | Medium | Moderate | Eco-friendly, natural, effective for both types of noise, thermal-insulating | May expand or contract with temperature changes, may crumble over time |
| Felt | 3-12 mm | Medium-High | Medium | Moderate | Soft, comfortable, effective for both types of noise, thermal-insulating | May absorb moisture, may compress over time |
| Fiber | 3-6 mm | Medium-High | Low-Medium | Moderate | Eco-friendly, recycled, effective for both types of noise, thermal-insulating | May absorb moisture, may compress over time |
When choosing an underlayment for your hardwood floors, you should consider the following factors:
- The type and thickness of your hardwood floor: Thicker and denser hardwood floors may require thinner and softer underlayment, while thinner and softer hardwood floors may require thicker and denser underlayment.
- The type and level of noise you want to reduce: If you want to reduce mainly airborne noise, you may opt for a thinner and lighter underlayment, while if you want to reduce mainly impact noise, you may opt for a thicker and heavier underlayment.
- The budget you have: Underlayment can vary in price, depending on the type, quality, and quantity of the material. You should compare the cost and performance of different options and choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
Green Glue
Green glue is a type of damping compound that is used to bond two layers of material together and reduce the transmission of sound. Green glue can help reduce both airborne and impact noise by converting the sound energy into heat energy and dissipating it. Green glue can also provide other benefits, such as sealing gaps, cracks, or holes, and preventing moisture or mold.
Green glue can be used to soundproof your hardwood floors by applying it between the subfloor and the hardwood floor, or between two layers of hardwood floor. Green glue can also be used to soundproof other parts of your room, such as the walls or the ceiling, by applying it between two layers of drywall or plywood.
Green glue is easy to use and install, as it comes in tubes that can be applied with a caulking gun. However, green glue is also expensive, as it requires a large amount of material to cover the entire surface. Green glue also takes time to cure and reach its full soundproofing potential, which can take up to 30 days.
When using green glue to soundproof your hardwood floors, you should consider the following factors:
- The type and thickness of your hardwood floor: Thicker and denser hardwood floors may require more green glue to bond them together and reduce the noise, while thinner and softer hardwood floors may require less green glue.
- The type and level of noise you want to reduce: If you want to reduce mainly airborne noise, you may opt for a thinner layer of green glue, while if you want to reduce mainly impact noise, you may opt for a thicker layer of green glue.
- The budget you have: Green glue can be costly, depending on the size and shape of your room and the amount of material you need. You should compare the cost and performance of green glue with other options and choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
Carpets and Rugs
Carpets and rugs are another way to soundproof your hardwood floors and reduce the noise they make. Carpets and rugs can help reduce mainly impact noise by creating a soft and cushioned surface that absorbs the sound and prevents it from reaching the subfloor. Carpets and rugs can also help reduce airborne noise by adding mass and density to the floor and blocking the sound waves.
Carpets and rugs are easy to use and install, as they can be simply laid over the hardwood floor and secured with tape, glue, or nails. However, carpets and rugs are also difficult to clean and maintain, as they can trap dust, dirt, allergens, or stains. Carpets and rugs can also affect the appearance and style of your hardwood floor, as they can cover or clash with the natural beauty and color of the wood.
When using carpets and rugs to soundproof your hardwood floors, you should consider the following factors:
- The type and thickness of your hardwood floor: Thicker and denser hardwood floors may require thicker and softer carpets or rugs, while thinner and softer hardwood floors may require thinner and harder carpets or rugs.
- The type and level of noise you want to reduce: If you want to reduce mainly impact noise, you may opt for a thicker and softer carpet or rug, while if you want to reduce mainly airborne noise, you may opt for a thinner and harder carpet or rug.
- The style and preference you have: Carpets and rugs can vary in color, pattern, texture, and material, depending on your personal taste and preference. You should choose a carpet or rug that matches or complements your hardwood floor and the overall decor of your room.
Rubber Mats
Rubber mats are another option to soundproof your hardwood floors and reduce the noise they make. Rubber mats can help reduce mainly impact noise by creating a resilient and elastic surface that absorbs the sound and prevents it from reaching the subfloor. Rubber mats can also help reduce airborne noise by adding mass and density to the floor and blocking the sound waves.
Rubber mats are easy to use and install, as they can be simply rolled or cut to fit the shape and size of your room and laid over the hardwood floor. However, rubber mats are also expensive, as they require a large amount of material to cover the entire surface. Rubber mats can also affect the appearance and style of your hardwood floor, as they can cover or clash with the natural beauty and color of the wood.
When using rubber mats to soundproof your hardwood floors, you should consider the following factors:
- The type and thickness of your hardwood floor: Thicker and denser hardwood floors may require thinner and harder rubber mats, while thinner and softer hardwood floors may require thicker and softer rubber mats.
- The type and level of noise you want to reduce: If you want to reduce mainly impact noise, you may opt for a thicker and softer rubber mat, while if you want to reduce mainly airborne noise, you may opt for a thinner and harder rubber mat.
- The style and preference you have: Rubber mats can vary in color, pattern, texture, and material, depending on your personal taste and preference. You should choose a rubber mat that matches or complements your hardwood floor and the overall decor of your room.
How to Choose the Best Option for Your Hardwood Floors
As you can see, there are many ways to soundproof your hardwood floors and reduce the noise
they make. However, not all options are equally suitable for your specific situation and needs. To choose the best option for your hardwood floors, you should consider the following factors:
- The type and level of noise you want to reduce: Different options have different levels of effectiveness for reducing airborne and impact noise. You should identify the main source and type of noise that bothers you and choose the option that can address it best. For example, if you want to reduce mainly impact noise from footsteps or furniture, you may opt for underlayment, rubber mats, or carpets and rugs, while if you want to reduce mainly airborne noise from voices or music, you may opt for green glue, underlayment, or carpets and rugs.
- The budget you have: Soundproofing your hardwood floors can vary in cost, depending on the type, quality, and quantity of the material and the installation method. You should compare the cost and performance of different options and choose the one that suits your needs and budget. For example, if you have a low budget, you may opt for foam underlayment, fiber underlayment, or carpets and rugs, while if you have a high budget, you may opt for rubber underlayment, rubber mats, or green glue.
- The style and preference you have: Soundproofing your hardwood floors can also affect the appearance and style of your room and your hardwood floor. You should choose the option that matches or complements your hardwood floor and the overall decor of your room. For example, if you want to preserve the natural beauty and color of your hardwood floor, you may opt for underlayment or green glue, while if you want to add some texture and pattern to your room, you may opt for carpets, rugs, or rubber mats.
Conclusion
Soundproofing your hardwood floors can be a great way to improve the quality of your living space and reduce the noise that disturbs you or your neighbors. However, soundproofing your hardwood floors can also be a challenging and costly project that requires careful planning and execution. By following this guide, you can learn how to soundproof your hardwood floors using different materials and methods, and how to choose the best option for your specific situation and needs. We hope this guide has been helpful and informative for you, and we wish you good luck with your soundproofing project.
