During refurbishments where controlling impact noise is key and speed is of the essence when it comes to the installation, there are now solutions on the market that’ll help you achieve effective acoustic performance while reducing downtime and disruption, says Lewis Cooper.

EXCESS noise can have a negative effect on people in all environments. For example, if noise is not controlled within a care home, residents may struggle to hear speech or engage in conversations, which can lead to social isolation and loneliness1 .

In offices, working in a noisy environment can adversely affect people’s mental health and productivity, increase the likelihood of distractions, and reduce speech intelligibility.
Meanwhile in schools and other education facilities, poor classroom acoustics can negatively impact reading, spelling, behaviour, attention, and academic performance.

So, whether you’re working on refurbishing a care, office, education, or multi-unit housing project, it’s clear effective retrofit measures need to be taken to get impact noise under control. And for contractors, that’s where the choice of flooring can play a significant role.

Acoustic floorcoverings are manufactured to enhance impact sound reduction and offer the ideal solution for reducing noise transmission of foot traffic, wheelchairs, trolleys, and machinery, through the floor and into the spaces below. Across the market, there are a number of acoustically-engineered flooring solutions available in different materials, styles, and installation formats – with acoustic vinyl proving to be one of the most popular choices across various sectors thanks to its ability to deliver superior impact sound reduction as a result of its high-performance foam backing, as well as its large palette of fresh and striking designs.

Owing to the nature of these busy and occupied environments however, avoiding disruption and impact on daily activities where possible is vital when it comes to the actual refurbishment. Therefore, while acoustic flooring is the solution – how do you ensure you’re reducing excess noise without the flooring installation disrupting day-to-day activity and the occupants using the buildings? The answer? Adhesive-free floorcoverings.

For applications where sound reduction is key and speed is of the essence, the development of adhesive free acoustic vinyl floor coverings means that excellent acoustic properties combined with residual indentation performance can be achieved, while minimising downtime upon installation. Designed to be installed with minimal subfloor preparation, or even over various existing floors and subfloors, adhesive-free acoustic vinyl reduces installation time by over 50% compared to standard, glued-down products, and minimises the impact on daily activities of occupants.

In addition, once the flooring has been fitted, no application or drying time needs to be factored into the project. This means the area can be walked on immediately, wheelchairs can be rolled over straight away, and furniture can be put back in its original place.
What’s more, during refurbishment, lingering odours, dust, and other constraints usually associated with adhesives are eliminated, contributing to a better indoor environment.

One such example of a ‘fast fit’ adhesive free acoustic sheet vinyl is Forbo Flooring Systems’ Modul’up 19 dB. Offering ‘best-in-class’ impact sound reduction, Modul’up 19 dB is a proven adhesive-free floorcovering suitable for high traffic applications that can be installed quickly and easily.

The introduction of the R10 XtremPUR lacquer ensures a high-quality performance and easy maintenance, meanwhile the choice of 94 contemporary colourways in a wide range of Wood, Material, Colour and Graphic designs will help you create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in any area of a building. Not only can such floorcoverings be installed as part of a newbuild, but it also offers a good retrofit solution for older buildings.

For more information about Forbo’s Modul’up 19 dB range, which is part of its Acoustic Collection and Fast Fit range, visit:
www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/acousticsolutions
www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/fastfit
Lewis Cooper is marketing executive at Forbo Flooring Systems

https://www.ecophon.com/en/articles/knowledge/acoustic-research-in-care-of-the-elderly/