Lab-tested noise solutions for ceilings and floors

Finnish researchers test 38 different wall assemblies for effectiveness

If you live in an apartment building, then you know the sound of impact noise from your upstairs neighbors. Wouldn’t it be great if an expert gave you some soundproofing options? And shared data on noise reduction from each solution?

That’s exactly what some Finnish researchers compiled through a project at Turku University of Applied Sciences. They compared a variety of ceiling-floor assemblies made from different materials. These assemblies included different combinations of gypsum, concrete floor screed, insulation, underlayments, and resilient channels. After running tapping tests on each assembly, they posted their lab-tested results, including noise frequencies from 20 Hz to 5000 Hz and multiple decibel levels.

One size doesn’t fit all

Although most of these assemblies were lab-tested for wood-framed multi-unit buildings, not all wall assemblies might be practical or meet the structural code requirements for your situation. However, you can look through the drawings and acoustical test results to evaluate their effectiveness when you plan a solution of your own.