How do I find my IIC rating?
Your IIC Rating, or Impact Insulation Class, is a major factor in how much sound tenants will hear directly below a floor-ceiling assembly. The rating is determined by using a tapping machine on an existing assembly, and measuring the amount of sound that comes through below.
What is a good IIC rating?
The International Building Code suggests a rating of 50 or more for IIC and STC, but allows 45 or more for FIIC or FIIC field tests.
How is IIC measured?
A machine imparts sound from a floor above a ceiling and a microphone below the ceiling measures the noise that passes through both the floor and ceiling construction. Test results are reported as IIC or INR. Transmission of the sound is measured in a series of frequency bands from 100 to 3150 Hz.
Is a higher or lower IIC rating better?
IIC stands for “Impact Insulation Class”, the degree of soundproofing of the impact noise of a floor/ceiling assembly in a laboratory. The higher the IIC, the better the acoustic insulation.
What is the highest IIC rating?
The results of the test are rated in terms of the Impact Insulation Class (IIC). IIC values can range from as low as 25 for lightweight residential construction with no floor covering to over 65 for commercial construction with carpet. More typical values fall between 35 and 55.
Is IIC measured in DB?
IIC ratings measure the number of decibels your flooring resists. The higher the number, the quieter the floor. Delta IIC tests the impact insulation of the underlayment alone.
What is the highest IIC rating for underlayment?
High-end underlayment can provide a Delta IIC of 21-32 points yielding assemblies that range from 53-68.
What is the quietest underlayment?
Our 5 Best Underlay for Soundproofing
- QuietWalk Plus. For use under: Laminate / Engineered Wood / Solid Wood / Rigid Core Vinyl / WPC / SPC / LVT (5mm or thicker)
- Roberts Super Felt Underlayment Premium.
- Natural Cork Underlayment.
- FloorMuffler UltraSeal Underlayment.
- 3in1 Silent Vapor Barrier.
How can I increase my IIC rating?
To increase the IIC rating, an upgrade to the sound mat and/or the resilient ceiling system must be made. Traditional sound control mats with entangled mesh enhance IIC performance through the mesh being attached to fabric, which is loose-laid over the subfloor and then encapsulated with a gypsum concrete topping.
What is the IIC rating for laminate flooring?
Laminate Flooring Sound Ratings For instance, two types of laminate flooring from one manufacturer have ratings of 54 and 57 IIC, and 58 STC, both on a 6-inch concrete slab. Both are well above the IBC minimum of 50 as tested in a sound laboratory.
What is a good DB rating for flooring?
For hardwood floors, a good quality sound proofing underlay would have a rating of around -25dB, compared to a standard underlay which would be about -19dB. -39dB.
What is the quietest type of flooring?
Here are three of the quietest flooring options for you to consider:
- Carpet Flooring Reduces Impacts. One of the quietest flooring options available is carpet flooring.
- Cork Flooring Is a Sustainable Option. Another of the quietest flooring options is cork flooring.
- Vinyl Flooring Mitigates Sound Well.
Which is quieter vinyl or laminate?
When it’s installed with a suitable underlayment, laminate is more comfortable and quieter than vinyl. That’s why it’s great in bedrooms and living areas.
What flooring absorbs sound?
Carpet or carpet tiles are known for mitigating impact sound, making them a perfect choice for hotels, classrooms and offices. Higher pile carpets or carpets with a thick pad underneath, are especially good at absorbing sound and reducing transmission.
What is the most sound absorbing flooring?
Here are some of the best acoustic flooring materials:
- Carpet. Carpet or carpet tiles are known for mitigating impact sound, making them a perfect choice for hotels, classrooms and offices.
- Cork Flooring.
- Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) Flooring.
- Rubber Flooring.
- Vinyl Tile.
How is the IIC rating calculated?
Simply put, the IIC rating will be the noise level in the source room, minus the noise level in the receive room. That formula will give you an approximation of the IIC, but the acoustic consultant does have to do some more calculations in order to get the exact rating.
What is the IIC rating of a subfloor?
Nor does it account for low frequency footfall noise or structural deflection. The IIC ratings for basic concrete sub-floor with no resilient underlayment is around 28 to 35 IIC. The IIC ratings for basic wood structure with no resilient underlayment is around 40 to 45 IIC.
What is a good IIC value for a house?
IIC values can range from as low as 25 for lightweight residential construction with no floor covering to over 65 for commercial construction with carpet. More typical values fall between 35 and 55. For multi-family structures, some codes require an IIC of 50 or more when tested in the laboratory (or 45 or more when tested in the field).
What is the Impact Insulation Class (IIC) of my flooring system?
There are a number of factors that determine the Impact Insulation Class, or IIC, of your floor-ceiling assembly. These include the finish floor, the substrate, and the ceiling system below, in addition to your choice of sound mat or soundproofing underlayment. Use our IIC Calculator below to determine what IIC your flooring system achieves.