Largely manufactured from recycled glass (e.g. windscreens) and mineral base materials such as sand and without the use of binding agents. The ingredients are melted into molten glass, which is cooled and crushed into a fine powder. The powdered glass is poured into molds and heated (below the melting point) in a "sintering" process that causes the particles to adhere to one another. Next, a small amount of finely ground carbon-black is added and the material is heated in a "cellulation" process. Here, the carbon reacts with oxygen, creating carbon dioxide, which creates the insulating bubbles in the (material). CO2 accounts for more than 99% of the gas in the cellular spaces.
Cellulose insulation is a material made from recycled newspaper. The paper is shredded and inorganic salts, such as boric acid, are added for resistance to fire, mould, insects and vermin. The insulation is installed either blown or damp-sprayed depending on application.
Wood fibre
The success of wood fibre insulation derives from an attractive environmental profile combined with a whole bag of functions including rigid insulation, sheathing and sarking for timber frames, roofs and flooring as well as flexible insulation for studs and rafters.
Wood of course is renewable, it sequesters carbon during its growth and product production is relatively free from pollution. The insulation value of wood fibre boards is not as dimensionally efficient as some of the orthodox petro-chemical materials - but it's no slouch either - typically coming in with a 'k value' range of between 0.038-0.043 W/mK depending on format.
Hemp
Hemp fibres are produced from hemp straw of the hemp plant. Most hemp is imported, but an increasing amount of home-grown crop is becoming available. Hemp grows up to a height of nearly 4 metres within a period of 100-120 days. Because the plants shade the soil, no chemical protection or toxic additives are required for hemp cultivation. The product is composed of, usually, 85% hemp fibre with the ballance made up of polyester binding and 3-5% soda added for fire proofing.
Straw
Straw is an agricultural by-product, the dry stalks of cereal plants, after the grain and chaff have been removed. Straw makes up about half of the yield of cereal crops such asbarley, oats, rice, rye and wheat.
Acoustic floor significantly reduces the impact of noise on building occupants, by cutting sound transfer between neighbouring spaces. Acoustic floors have an important contribution when it comes to reducing noise in buildings. Generally speaking, the best way to reduce sound is at the source. Having said that, acoustic flooring must prevent the transmission of two types of noise. Impact Sound - whether from foot traffic or vibrating machinery and Airborne Sound - airborne sound typically stems from people, speakers and instruments. To soundproof this floor, we need to build in a dampening system for impact and vibration noise and add mass to block airborne noise. This is normally achieved by adding high mass/density products. Without this, the addition of the mass will have very little effect on impact noise. Soundproofing the floor in flats can be done in two ways. Either by filling high-density insulation below floor and between joists such as Rockwool RW45 of Knauf RS100 or by installing acoustic chipboard flooring system on top of existing floor system such as JCW Acoustic Deck 28. This is also known as a ‘direct to joist’ type of acoustic flooring. Acoustic floor boards come in certain thicknesses such as 19mm, 28mm or 32mm. Acoustic decking can be overlaid onto flat timber or concrete floors.
TYPES OF ACOUSTIC FLOOR INSULATION
DIRECT TO JOIST
JCW offers a direct to joist acoustic flooring systems. While JCW Acoustic Deck 19 comprises a 9mm moisture resistant MDF board and 10mm pre-bonded resilient layer, 28 Deck system comprises an 18mm P5 T&G Chipboard with a 10mm pre-bonded resilient layer. JCW Acoustic Deck 32 is the thickest deck system offering a 22mm P5 T&G Chipboard with 10mm resilient layer. The acoustic systems made by JCW offer reduction in Impact Sound Transmission of ΔLw18. JCW acoustic decking has been tested in a UKAS accreditation laboratory.
Sound proofing and deadening Rubber Acoustic Tiles are also a good option that can go directly on existing floors. It is a high density, polymer based, soundproofing and sound deadening rubber sheet that provides excellent sound deadening properties. However, each tile weighs 30kg, so this is something to consider when youare about to use such a product. Average size room in a UK house is 18m2. Figure 18m2 x 30kg gives you an extra 540kg weight on your floor, so always make sure your floor can withstand extra loading.
BETWEEN JOISTS
Rolls and slabs are common soundproofing products used between floor joists. There must be a good reason for it. They can simply be friction-fitted into joists and studs in all metal and timber frame constructions. Moreover, rolls are designed to fit between studs to close joints, reducing the potential for unwanted gaps and ensuring high levels of sound insulation. Acoustic insulation rolls simply create a barrier between your space and unwanted sounds.
Rolls are 1200mm wide and ready-cut to produce three, 400mm wide rolls, or two, 600mm wide rolls and manufactured to a minimum density of 10Kg/m3 meeting the requirements outlined within relevant sound related Building Regulations. Acoustic Insulation Rolls are available in various thicknesses covering 11m2, 15m2, 15.6m2, 24m2. Acoustic roll common thicknesses are 25mm, 50mm, 60mm, 75mm, 80mm and 100mm. Range of acoustic rolls features products from industry-leading manufacturers such as Isover, Knauf, Ursa, Terra, Rockwool or Superglass.
Acoustic slab range is available in a variety of thicknesses and densities. All slabs are 1200mm x 600mm. Sound shield slab range comes with a choice of density and this is how compacted the slab is (not the weight). The range in density is kg/m³ from 45, 60, 80 100 & 140. It’s the density that marks out this type of soundproof insulation from other slabs of insulation. The easiest way to understand which one to choose would be to assume the higher the density, the better the overall level of soundproofing. It is recommended to use 60kg/m³ as this offers the best sound insulation for the money spent.
Common thickness: 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 75mm, 100mm and 150mm.
SOUNDPROOFING BUILDING REGULATIONS FOR ACOUSTIC FLOORING
If you are looking to pass Part E Building Regulations for a new build or conversion you will need to achieve a set minimum level of soundproofing for impact and airborne noise. After installation will have to be proven with a sound test carried out by a UCAS accredited sound tester. However, if you are just looking to improve on current soundproofing in an existing property then you do not have to achieve the same levels as the Part E building regulation, but we will always aim to exceed the Regulations target figures to give you a good level of soundproofing. The regulations specifically state that internal airborne sound resistance inside any dwelling must be a minimum of 40dB. Impact sounds must also be limited to 62dB for set floors and stairs in new builds as well as 64dB in conversion projects. The regulations specify the need for there to be some type of acoustic insulation between the flooring joists. The fitting of such insulation will result in the increase of mass and the minimisation of airborne sound.
ACOUSTIC FLOORING CONTRACTORS
Whether you are in need of acoustic flooring contractors or you would like acoustics work for your ceiling, our team is here for all your needs. We specialise in soundproofing, so that you can keep sounds in a particular space.
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150mm RS45 Knauf Black Foil Faced and Backed Slab is a high performance insulation made from non-combustible class A1 fire rated rock mineral wool used for concrete soffits.
Knauf RS45 Black foil backed on both sides slab provides outstanding fire, thermal and acoustic performance for both new bu..
150mm Black Foil Faced x2 Sides Knauf RS45 Insulation Slab A1 Class
Class ‘O’ to the Building Regulations and Class A1 fire performance
Density of 45kg/m3 with an excellent thermal and acoustic properties
Provides from 30 up to 240 minutes of fire protection (x2 Foil Faced RS45)
Double Sides Black Foil Faced Slab accumulates heat on one side of the slab
150mm Foil Faced Rocksilk RS45 Knauf Insulation Slab is a standard density (45kg/m3) non-combustible rock mineral wool foil backed building slab with a great fire performance classified as Euroclass A1, suitable for use in multiple applications.
Knauf RS45 1200mm x 600mm x 150mm foil backed insul..
150mm Rocksilk RS45 Knauf Rock Mineral Wool Insulation Slab is a standard density (45kg/m3) non-combustible rock mineral wool building slab with a great fire performance classified as Euroclass A1, which is the highest fire rating for non-combustible material designed for use in multiple application..
Class 1 Surface Spread of Flame - Non-combustible
Class ‘O’ to the Building Regulations - Euroclass A1
Density: 45kg/m3 - Excellent thermal and acoustic properties
150mm Foil Faced on Both Sides Rocksilk RS45 Knauf Fire Insulation Slab is a standard density (45kg/m3) non-combustible rock mineral wool two-sided foil-faced slab with a great fire performance (Class A1) suitable for use in multiple applications.
Knauf RS45 1200mm x 600mm foil slab provides outs..
FOIL FACED BOTH SIDES Slab - FFx2
Class ‘O’ to the Building Regulations - Euroclass A1
Density: 45kg/m3 - Excellent thermal and acoustic properties
Class 1 Surface Spread of Flame - Non-combustible - Odourless, Rot Proof, Non-Hygroscopic
Durability: do not sustain vermin and will not encourage the growth of fungi, mould or bacteria.
24mm Versapanel Cement Bonded Particle Board A2 is a versatile class 0 cement building board offering exceptional strength, mechanical and acoustic performance compared with other exterior gypsum sheathing boards.
Euroform Versapanel 24mm is a cement bonded building particle board that can be use..
24mm Cement Bonded Particle Board CBPB
Versapanel A2, Class 0 Sheathing Building Board
Can be used in external and internal applications
Versatile Versapanel for residential and public applications
Exceptional strength, mechanical and acoustic performance