Soundproofing floors – stops sound between rooms
Reduce disturbing noise and vibrations between floors and serving areas in restaurants
In restaurant environments, the floor is one of the most common ways for sound to spread between different spaces. Footsteps from guests and staff, chairs being moved, serving trolleys, kitchen equipment, and movement in the premises create vibrations that are transmitted through the building's structure. Soundproofing floors aims to limit how these sounds spread between the dining room, kitchen, bar, staff areas, and floors.
What does soundproofing floors involve?
Soundproofing floors involves reducing both airborne sound and structure-borne noise that occurs when the floor is loaded. Unlike sound absorption, which reduces echo and reverberation in the room, sound insulation focuses on stopping sound transmission between different spaces. The measures are directed at the floor construction and how vibrations are transmitted through joists, walls, and ceilings.
Common problems associated with floor noise in restaurants
In restaurants, floor noise is often perceived as footsteps from the upper floor, noise from waiting staff moving around, or the sound of chairs and furniture being moved close together. Kitchen equipment, dishwashing areas, and delivery flows can also cause vibrations that spread to guests' seating areas or to adjacent businesses. These sounds are often perceived as more disturbing than airborne sound because they propagate directly through the building's structure.
How sound spreads through floors in restaurant premises
When the floor is loaded, vibrations are generated that are transmitted to the joists, walls, and ceiling. This means that the sound can be heard in several parts of the premises, even if the sound source is located in another space. In restaurants with multiple floors or open floor plans, the floor therefore becomes a critical part of the building to work with when dealing with structure-borne noise and footfall noise.
Impact sound from guests and staff
Noise from walking, running, and movement is effectively transmitted through the floor structure.
Furniture and serving equipment
Chairs, tables, and carts that put weight on the floor can create recurring vibrations.
Why choose sound insulation for floors in restaurant environments?
Soundproofing floors significantly improves the sound environment by reducing disturbing noise between different parts of the restaurant. This measure contributes to better privacy, lower perceived noise levels, and a more professional and pleasant guest experience. In many cases, floor insulation is combined with vibration damping or complementary measures in walls and ceilings to achieve the best possible overall result.
Well-considered advice for the best results
For the best effect, the floor should be seen as part of the entire building's construction. A common mistake is to focus only on the floor's surface layer, even though sound often spreads through joists and connecting building components. By identifying where the sound originates and how it propagates, the right insulation principles can be used to create a more long-term peaceful restaurant environment.
Soundproofing floors is therefore a key measure for stopping sound between rooms and floors and creating greater comfort in restaurants.