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Sound insulation and vibration isolation
Sound insulation limits the sound that passes between spaces through walls, floors and ceilings; vibration isolation separates equipment from the structure. Both are designed to the project’s requirements.
Engineering view
What are sound insulation and vibration isolation?
Sound travels between spaces in two ways. Airborne sound — voices, music, traffic — sets walls and floors vibrating and passes through them; impact sound — footsteps, dropped objects, running equipment — is fed straight into the structure and travels in it. Insulation deals with both, by different means.
There are four tools: mass, as heavier layers pass less sound; decoupling — separate leaves with a gap or a resilient layer between them; absorption inside cavities; and airtightness, since a small gap can undo a good wall. Flanking paths around an element matter as much as the element itself.
Within the certified scope of our ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 systems: installation, repair and maintenance of thermal insulation, sound insulation and vibration isolation systems. Certificates
Sound paths
Where sound passes, and how it is stopped
- Airborne sound Voices and music set the wall vibrating.
- Double-leaf wall, absorbent cavity Mass, decoupling and absorption.
- Sealed edges At the head, the base and around penetrations.
- Impact sound Footsteps travel through the slab to the floor below.
- Floating floor on a resilient layer With an edge strip so it is never bridged.
- Ceiling on resilient hangers With absorption in the void above.
- Equipment on vibration isolators With flexible pipe connections.
General educational content; final values and requirements follow the manufacturer’s TDS and the approved project specification.
Elements
Walls, floors, ceilings and equipment
- S.01
Walls
Heavier or double-leaf walls, with absorption in the cavity and sealed edges and penetrations.
- S.02
Floors
A resilient layer under the screed or finish — a floating floor — against impact sound.
- S.03
Ceilings
Suspended ceilings on resilient hangers with absorption in the void, against sound from the floor above.
- S.04
Vibration isolation of equipment
Pumps, chillers and fans on vibration isolators or inertia bases, with flexible connections, so their vibration does not enter the structure.
Sequence
How we work
The requirement
The spaces to separate and their requirements come from the project specification or the acoustic consultant.
Select the build-up
The wall, floor or ceiling build-up that meets it is selected, with its junctions and penetrations.
Install
Continuous, sealed layers, with the resilient layer never bridged by screed, fixings or pipes.
Inspect
Each layer inspected before it is covered: continuity, sealing, no bridges.
Test
Site acoustic testing where the specification asks for it, by the party it names.
Inspection & testing
QA/QC
- Resilient layers continuous, with edge strips at the walls and no screed or tile bridging them.
- Gaps at edges and penetrations sealed with a suitable sealant.
- Isolators selected and loaded as designed, with flexible connections fitted.
- Each layer inspected and recorded before it is covered.
What we avoid
Common failures
Rigid bridges
A screed touching the wall, or a pipe or fixing through the resilient layer, lets impact sound bypass it.
Unsealed gaps
At the head of the wall and around sockets and pipes, where sound leaks through.
Ignoring flanking paths
A good wall under a continuous ceiling void or slab that carries sound around it.
Confusing absorption with insulation
Absorbent panels improve the sound inside a room; they do not stop it reaching the next space.
Go deeper
Technical references
Before you ask
Questions
Is sound insulation the same as thermal insulation?
No. Some materials help with both, but sound insulation depends on mass, decoupling and airtightness, while thermal insulation depends on low thermal conductivity. Each is designed for its own requirement.
Can an existing wall or floor be improved?
Often, by adding a separate leaf or a floating layer and sealing the gaps. The gain depends on the flanking paths, so the space is assessed first.
What information do you need?
The spaces to separate, the specification or acoustic consultant’s requirements, and drawings of the walls, floors and ceilings concerned.
Next step
A wall or floor that needs sound insulation?
Send the drawings and the specification requirements so we can review the build-up and send a detailed offer.