This blog entry will answer the question, “How much does soundproofing a floor cost in the United Kingdom?” This will go over topics including the typical material cost and labour cost of soundproofing floors, the benefits of soundproofing the floor, and how long it takes and how much it costs in total.
How much does it cost to soundproof a floor in the UK?
The cost of soundproofing your floors will vary depending on the process utilised, the materials utilized, and the number of materials used. So each contractor will bill you differently for their services. It’s critical to remember this because soundproofing can take a day or two, or even more, considering how many floors are soundproofed in your apartment.
The Various Costs You Will Face
The only fees you’ll incur are those for materials and labour. Approximately 3/4 of your budget will be spent on soundproofing materials, with the remainder going to a contractor who is an expert in house soundproofing treatments.
What Are the Benefits of Soundproof Flooring?
Soundproofing your floors is a great technique to decrease the quantity of noise that enters your home. It’s especially useful if you live in a block of flats where your downstairs neighbours are a little louder than you’d like.
Instead, you might wish to insulate your apartment’s rooms so that even while the children are downstairs and the tv is on, you can relax in solitude. On the other hand, perhaps you’re a budding singer or drummer who wants to soundproof your apartment for the sake of your family and neighbours.
In either case, soundproofing a floor is an excellent place to start when it comes to minimising noise flow through or into your home.
Considerations Before Installing floor Soundproofing
Before you install floor soundproofing, there are a few things you should think about. The cost of the contractor is a frequent issue that many people overlook when evaluating the cost of soundproofing. Though the cost of your supplies may vary, the most substantial cost is usually incurred when you hire a professional to install your proofing.
As previously stated, your tradesperson may charge between £150 and £250 a day, depending on the size of the area and the difficulty of the installation. The installation process normally takes 1-2 days on average. While completing the work yourself is not impossible, for the best results, we always recommend hiring a professional.
Professional instals, on the other hand, are more expensive but result in a faster and more efficient installation. Another thing to consider is that not all soundproofing solutions will work in your environment.
Fortunately, there are several soundproofing alternatives for your floor. Your contractor will evaluate your home’s floor and circumstances to recommend the best option for you.
The wonderful thing about soundproofing is that there are so many alternatives to select from. This means you have the freedom and flexibility to work within your budget and find cost-effective alternatives.
Soundproofing Options for Floors
Everyone wishes to live in a peaceful environment. Regrettably, we occasionally wind up living somewhere where we are forced to deal with noise on a daily and nightly basis. This is particularly true if you live near a major highway or road. It can also be applicable if you live in a noisy neighbourhood or have youngsters at home.
Soundproofing your floor is a great technique to cut down on noise in your home. This is a project that you can handle yourself, but it’s preferable to hire a professional who knows how to soundproof a home.
Soundproof Above Existing Floorboards
You can add a layer of insulating material on top of your flooring if you don’t want to elevate them, but keep in mind that the level of your ground will rise as a result. SBx Boards are among the most cost-effective techniques for this approach.
These reduce airborne and impact noise while also improving a room’s acoustics. They’re also very simple to install, as you merely join the pre-cut boards while covering the entire space with tiles, carpet, or laminate.
SBx boards, unlike solid or rubber boards, contain a loose core with an irregular structure. This means that sound can’t just flow through the material.
| Materials Needed |
| carpet |
With a standard room size of 16m2 in the UK, soundproofing a room would cost roughly £689, along with the boards and mastic needed to cover gaps in the floor and across the perimeter.
Soundproof Underneath Existing Floorboards
You’ll need to elevate the floorboards first if you want to add soundproofing insulation to the dead space beneath your floor. Regardless of the effort, under-floor dampening with an acoustic membrane and mineral wool can be quite effective at minimising airborne sounds.
The original flooring might provide insulation once they are reinstalled. If you’re only allowed to work beneath the floor, this technique is great and reasonably simple to set up. You can also apply two layers of membrane, one below and one above the floors if you want to get extremely good results.
The cost of a 16m2 average-sized room will be roughly £410. One layer of membrane, acoustic wool, and the mastic needed to close any gaps are included.
| Materials Needed |
| acoustic membrane |
| mineral wool |
| mastic |
Soundproofing Laminate
Anyone with a laminate floor has a third choice for soundproofing their floor. Because of its cost, laminate flooring has become increasingly popular in recent years. Modern products are more beautiful than ever, and you can have a wood-effect or tile-effect floor for a reasonable price. When it comes to soundproofing, though, it leaves a lot to be desired. As a result, if you wish to lessen noise, you’ll need to lay down some sort of rubber matting.
The Isosonic mat, for example, is simple to install and a cost-effective choice for use beneath laminate flooring. It could also be used under screed to decrease concrete impact noise and beneath engineered floors to create a low-impact floating floor.
Isosonic mats are made of recycled rubber and are dense, durable, and easy to cut. They also don’t leave a spongy sensation on the floor. To boost soundproofing, acoustic membranes can be used with rubber matting.
Spend roughly £220 on the materials if you want to use this method.
| Materials Needed |
| Isosonic mat |
| rubber matting |
The Cost of Installing Soundproof Flooring
The cost of soundproofing your floors will vary depending on the method utilised, the materials used, as well as the number of materials utilised. Also, each contractor will bill you differently for their services.
If you choose the SBx Boards solution, you’ll pay a lot of money for them because they’re not inexpensive. For example, you’ll need to pay £700 for 16sqm of SBx Boards.
Then there’s the cost of hiring a contractor to install them for you, which varies, but you should anticipate paying between £150 and £250 per day for labour. It’s the most costly option of soundproofing a floor, but it’s also the most efficient in decreasing noise.
Because installing soundproof materials beneath your floor will necessitate removing the floorboards, you may necessitate their services for a longer period than installing SBx Boards.
The materials, on the other hand, will be less expensive, and you can complete this project for around £600, along with labour, if it’s a 16sqm room. It’s a little less expensive than SBx Boards, and it can help reduce noise in some situations. Your floor will not be raised off the ground either.
The Isomats are the most affordable. After you’ve purchased the required amount (about £250 for a 16sqm room), you’ll be able to complete the project for around £400, including labour. This approach can successfully reduce impact noise and sound. And, depending on your home, this may be the best option, particularly when considering the expense.
Conclusion
Although soundproofing the floor is simple, it can take some time, especially if you’ve decided to remove the floorboards. Another option is to hire a contractor; while this will cost significantly more, the project will be finished promptly and efficiently.
Overall, soundproofing offers a wide range of solutions, ensuring there is always a project to suit your needs. You’ll be able to drown out the noise in one way or another for a peaceful and tranquil retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How much does it cost to soundproof a floor in the UK?
How Long Does it Take to Install Soundproofed Flooring?
It is dependent on the number of floors in your property that require soundproofing. This is in addition to the size of your home and the soundproofing method chosen.
Most experts can complete your project in a day or two at most. You can let them in before going to work, then come home to discover that the impact noise and airborne sound that had been bothering you for so long has finally gone away.
Is there a difference between soundproofing and acoustic treatment?
No. They are the opposites. Soundproofing is a technique for lowering noise to make things quieter. However, acoustic treatment is not the same. In a recording studio, you’ll find this. The goal of acoustic treatment is to increase the quality of sound in a room rather than to minimise noise.
What need I do to prepare the room for the work to begin?
Your floor will be under construction by the contractors. As a result, you’ll need to clear everything off the floor so they can get to work. You should also ensure that they have easy access to the area that will be soundproofed.
If they have to clean up or spend time moving stuff, it will increase the cost because they will need more time to complete the task.
After soundproofing, how much quieter will the floor be?
It depends on the soundproofing method employed on the floor. If the soundproofing project was done properly, you should no longer hear footsteps on the floor above you. However, because there are so many factors, it’s impossible to say how much quieter your floor will be after soundproofing.
Is sound dampening worth it?
Yes. Adding further sound deadening to typical cars can cost anywhere from $100 to $500, with customised applications costing even more. However, when you consider the extra comfort, insulation, and overall quietness that sound deadening material may provide, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Is it true that concrete floors are soundproof?
Concrete is used for a large percentage of floors. This sort of floor, in particular, has a high amount of mass, making it one of the most effective soundproofing materials for airborne noise.
Is it true that carpet absorbs sound from the next-door neighbours?
Because carpet is such a good sound absorber, it may lower walking noise by 25 to 34 decibels, whereas laminate flooring only reduces surface noise by 1 to 6 dB.
Simultaneously, carpet decreases noise in the living room as well as noise from the outside.
