SOUND CONTROL SYSTEMS
Gypsum Underlayments as Sound Control
Gypsum underlayments are an integral component of fire and sound tested assemblies and ratings. Apartments, hotels, motels, assisted living and retirement facilities almost exclusively use gypsum underlayments in their second stories and above. These projects use the gypsum underlayment floor system because it provides added sound control and fire control and usually part of the tested and rated assembly being used on the project.
In this way, gypsum underlayments installed by Ultra Quiet Floors are an economical and the standard way for building to meet today’s STC and IIC sound requirements and codes.
Sound Matting
For more than 20 years, sound control requirements have become more and more stringent, especially in some cities where contractors must provide proof that their building and floor system assemblies meet certain sound requirements. The construction industry has responded to these challenges by combining sound control matting with gypsum underlayments to decrease the sound transmission between floors, particularly under resilient or hard surface finish floor coverings. Today, condominiums, luxury townhouses, apartments and even hotels and motels are the recipients of this gypsum underlayment and sound matting system. The International building code had been adopted by several states and larger metro area cites were the first to become aware of the new stricter sound codes.
Sound Matting in Hard Surface Floor Covering Areas
2003 IBC, Section 1207.1-3 states that a 50IIC and a 50 STC is required in living units. A soundattenuation mat is usually required under hard surface floor coverings like tile, vinyl, VCT or hardwood in order to meet the sound code. UQF can provide system information and costs to upgrade areas necessary for code compliance.