Excessive noise reduces productivity and concentration. We explain how acoustic flooring works and which products deliver measurable sound reduction for Hertfordshire buildings.
Acoustic comfort is increasingly recognised as a design priority for both educational and commercial buildings in Hertfordshire. The Department for Education's Building Bulletin 93 sets clear standards for ambient noise levels in schools, while office occupiers increasingly expect environments that support concentration and wellbeing.
Impact sound, the noise generated when a foot or object strikes the floor, is measured in decibels using laboratory test methods. Carpet tiles naturally absorb impact sound, with typical reductions of 20 to 30 decibels depending on the backing system. Interface's CushionBac Renew backing adds a soft underlayer that enhances this performance further.
For areas where carpet is impractical, such as corridors and dining halls, rubber flooring offers excellent acoustic properties alongside durability. Nora rubber, installed at several Hertfordshire schools, absorbs impact while meeting the heavy commercial traffic classifications required for these zones.
Underlay is a critical but often neglected component of acoustic flooring systems. A poor-quality underlay can negate the acoustic benefits of a premium carpet tile. We always specify underlay products that have been laboratory-tested with the chosen carpet tile to confirm the combined system meets the required performance.
The layout of a building also affects acoustic comfort. Open-plan offices with hard surfaces on walls, ceilings, and floors create reverberant spaces where speech intelligibility suffers. Combining acoustic flooring with ceiling baffles and wall panels creates a holistic acoustic treatment. We work with acoustic consultants on larger Hertfordshire projects to model and verify performance.
