Soundproofing is the term we use to describe the process of reducing and minimising noise levels in a room. Some of our customers might describe it as a transformational process that let’s them live in harmony with noisy pets/neighbours/construction workers (you name it!).

You may be surprised to read that not all sound is the same and so there’s no one size fits all approach to soundproofing. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered from impact noise to airborne noise, and from functional floor finishing to beautiful acoustic panels for your walls.

Impact noise vs airborne noise

Noise can be broken down into two categories; impact and airborne. In order to understand how to reduce or limit unwanted noise, it is first important to understand which kind you are experiencing.

Have you ever been bothered by the sound of a neighbour or construction worker hammering into a wall? That’s impact noise. The process of one object impacting another is what creates vibrations that transmit sound and disrupt your quiet time.

How about the sound of a barking dog? That’s airborne noise. When sound travels through the air we can be bothered by something happening even when it is quite a distance away. Examples of this include music, television or speech. 

Now that you’re up to speed on how sound is created and the different types of noise that we experience, we’re ready to tell you what you can do about it.

How can you reduce noise in your home or office?

The process of soundproofing uses materials to reduce sound vibrations or create barriers between the sound waves and your ears. Basic science tells us that in order to reduce noise levels we need to reduce sound vibrations and we can do that by using soundproofing materials to catch those sound waves before they reach you. 

The type of noise you are experiencing will tell you which kind of soundproofing you need:

• Impact noise can be reduced by adding soft materials such as carpet and underlay. We often find that our customers want to reduce the sound of noisy neighbours or the transfer of activity from upstairs (think, foot steps on a hardwood floor versus footsteps on a carpet). You can shop Impact Noise specific products here.
• For airborne noise, your soundproofing needs to absorb the unwanted sound and act as a barrier. You can do this by adding thicker materials to walls, floors and ceilings. (think, your neighbour is trying out for a singing competition and you’ve heard Whitney Houston far too many times). You can shop Airborne Noise specific products here.
• If you need extensive noise control in a commercial setting or a range of products to ensure you meet building control regulations, you can see our full impact and airborne noise reduction range here. Our experts are always on hand if you need advice before purchasing, and they love a challenge so feel free to test their knowledge!

What are the building regulations around noise and soundproofing?

The UK government has strict regulations regarding the soundproofing of buildings, these are known as Part E (resistance to sound).

Part E sound regulations detail the requirements around the passage of sound in homes as well as buildings that have not been built for living in. We recommend reading the full regulations to help you to understand your responsibilities if you are completing any building works.

Do you need soundproofing?

If you’ve made it this far, we think you might! If you work in building and construction, it is likely that you need to adhere to Part E building regulations and you will need to provide proof of this when your building works have been completed.

We understand that soundproofing is not just for large construction projects though. There are many reasons why you may want to reduce noise in your home or office. You may be struggling with noisy neighbours or live by a busy road. You might be setting up a home recording studio or a home cinema. Whatever your reasons, we can help!

If you want to soundproof your space but you don’t know where to begin, you can start by clicking on our live chat button and telling us what you need. We’ve got some of the best experts in the industry ready to give you advice on how to reduce noise in your home, office, gym, school, hotel (the list goes on!).

We’ll tell you all about the different types of floor, wall and ceiling solutions, and advise you on how to make the most of your space. Get started today.