It should be no surprise that the best flooring material for sound absorption is carpet. We all understand that carpet, like our furniture helps absorb sound in our homes. However, if you’re looking for new flooring and don’t want carpet and sound is of concern, here are the best flooring materials for acoustics.
Hardwood Flooring
There are several reasons why hardwood flooring tops the list of best flooring materials for acoustics. First, the overwhelming majority of hardwood flooring installations are nailed down. This makes for a more stable floor. The more stable, the less vibration. With less vibration, there is more sound absorption rather than sound reflection. Wood is also softer than some other flooring materials which also helps with sound, Theses are key reasons wood tops the list of best flooring materials for sound absorption.
Engineered Wood Flooring
This is a close second and may even be equal to hardwood flooring if the installation is nailed down. There are two reasons. First, the topmost layer is wood so, but its nature, absorbs some sound. Second, the fact that it’s made of layers aids in its ability to dampen noise.
Vinyl
Most vinyl is soft. As a result, it most does a good job of dampening sound in a room.
Laminate Flooring
Because the vast majority of laminate is installed by snapping together on top of the underlayment, it’s not quite as noise dampening as other flooring materials. It can move with the sound and that means it’s not among the best flooring materials for sound. Admittedly, it’s multiple layers help, however, it’s often harder than engineered or hardwood flooring so that increases the sound reflectivity.
Tile
Tile, like hardwood is firmly attached to the subfloor. However, it’s the hardest of all flooring materials which means it reflects the most sound.
We Can Help You Choose the Best Flooring Material for Your Home & Budget
At Authentic Hardwood Flooring, we can help you choose the best flooring material for your home and budget. We offer hardwood, engineered wood and laminate flooring from leading mills and manufacturers. Let us provide you with a free consultation and quote for your new floors. Call (727) 786-6330 to schedule your appointment today.
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