How to Reduce Vibrations, Impact Noise, and Structure-Borne Noise in Buildings
Vibration damping is about reducing sound and movement that travel through materials. Unlike airborne sound, which primarily travels through the air, impact sound and structure-borne sound can be transmitted through floors, walls, ceilings, joists, studs, machine feet, and other fixed structures. This is why the problem is often difficult to pinpoint. The sound may originate in one place but be clearly heard in another room, on another floor, or further away in the building.
What is impact sound?
Impact noise occurs when someone walks, runs, drops objects, or moves furniture on a floor. The energy from the impact travels down into the floor structure and can continue through joists, walls, and connections. To reduce impact sound, a thin, soft surface is rarely sufficient. The best results are typically achieved by combining mass, sealing, and a damping or decoupling layer in the floor’s construction.
What is structure-borne sound?
Structure-borne sound is sound that travels through the building’s structural framework itself. It can come from machinery, pumps, ventilation systems, exercise equipment, washing machines, compressors, speakers, or impacts and vibrations in floors and walls. Since structure-borne sound is transmitted through solid materials, the solution often needs to break or dampen the contact between the sound source and the structure. Therefore, decoupling, sealing, and vibration-damping materials are key components of an effective solution.
Commonly Used Products and Principles
For vibration damping, products such as Dampio PRO are used under machines and equipment; SilentDirect Polaric for damping and sound insulation on hard surfaces; SilentDirect MLV as a heavy barrier; and SilentDirect Neo roll for damping vibrations, resonance, and mechanical noise. In structures where joists, floors, ceilings, or walls would otherwise come into direct contact, SilentDirect Seal can be used as a vibration-damping and sealing layer at joints.
Important to Consider
An effective solution begins with distinguishing between airborne sound, impact sound, and structure-borne sound. If the problem is vibrations transmitted through the structure, you need to reduce mechanical transmission—not just improve the room’s acoustics. The right solution may involve damping the sound source, constructing a more damped floor, sealing joints, adding mass, or decoupling materials from one another. The goal is not to promise total silence, but to reduce sound transmission in a controlled and practical way.