Whether in homes, offices, or public spaces, the building’s structure determines how sound travels from one place to another. Installing a sound mat helps block or absorb noise and vibrations, creating a quieter space. Here are some ways a building’s structure affects noise attenuation:
Material Density and Mass
Buildings made of materials like drywall, pine wood, or plywood have lower mass, which reduces a structure’s ability to resist sound vibrations. This allows voices, music, and machinery sounds to pass through walls, ceilings, or floors. Denser building materials, like concrete, help prevent sound waves from transmitting between rooms or floors.
In buildings with poor noise attenuation, installing a thick sound mat can help dampen noises before they reach nearby rooms. A mat adds mass to lightweight materials, improving the absorption of airborne and impact noises in a house. It also acts as a cushion between building layers, preventing sounds from being transferred at high volumes.
Design
Sound travels more easily in large, open spaces like modern homes or offices because there are fewer barriers to deflect it. When walls are made of a single layer of drywall, sounds also pass through, making a building feel noisier. Houses and businesses with thick walls and partitions are more reliable in containing vibration than those with open layouts.
Rooms with open layouts can be fitted with sound-dampening mats to absorb impact vibrations caused by footsteps, furniture movement, or dropped objects. These mats can be installed underneath various flooring, such as hardwood, laminate, tile, and carpet, to control noises caused by movement.
Air Gaps and Sealing
Gaps in a building’s structure allow disruptive noises to bypass walls, floors, and ceilings. If windows or doors are fitted poorly, they let loud sounds seep through thin seals or gaps. Small openings at the junctions between walls, floors, and ceilings also allow sound to pass through more easily. Poor seals around outlets, pipes, or fixtures can transmit external sounds, adding additional noise to a room. Since sound mats are flexible, installers can place them around uneven surfaces or fixtures like ducts and pipes to block gaps or reinforce seals.
Insulation
A well-insulated house or office absorbs sound waves, reducing the amount of noise that passes from one space to another. Insulation helps block gaps and voids in walls and ceilings where sound might travel. Weak points are created when insulation is missing in walls or ceilings, enabling sound to leak easily. To help soundproof indoor spaces, installers add sound mats behind drywall or between insulation layers. In places where insulation is insufficient, sound-blocking mats act as a filler to address noise leaks. Most sound mats are versatile, so they can be installed over existing structures without removing or replacing insulation.
Buy a Quality Sound Mat
Sound mats are available in various thicknesses to fit your sound attenuation needs and enhance your existing structures. Before installation, professionals prepare surfaces to make sure acoustic underlays do not shift or bend, maximizing their effect. Call a trusted sound attenuation company today to upgrade your home or office with noise control solutions.