Barrier materials with decoupling layers or underlayments can be used to control floor to floor sound. In addition to reducing airbourne sound, the separated barriers help to reduce the sound energy that can get into the structure and travel to other parts of the building.
These treatments can be particularly useful in buildings and homes where ceilings are finished. It is a common way to control unwanted sound in multi-floor homes that are converted into separate apartments.
BM -1C is a barrier material within an attached foam decoupling layer that can be placed directly on the floor then covered with carpet. The barrier lays flat and does not need to be glued or fastened to the floor. The sound transmission loss that is a achieved is significant compared to other methods that usually require a great deal more mass in the assembly.
Plain barrier material like the 5 B-OB can be used in conjunction with Duracoustic underlayment. 
This combination increases transmission loss and provides impact isolation to reduce the sound of people walking or moving around overhead.
The Duracoustic is laid out on the floor with no installation requirements other than taping the seams. The 5 B-OB barrier is rolled out on top – perpendicular to the runs of Duracoustic ( seams also taped) carpet is installed directly over the decoupled barrier to complete the floor finish.
The Iso Sep is a profiled rubber pad that provides a high degree of vibration isolation between building elements.
440 SoundBarrier® controls sound in floors, walls and ceilings.
Independently lab tested and time-proven in millions of square feet of residential and commercial structures, 440 SoundBarrier® is a special-density, structural board made from 100 percent environmental Homasote® cellulose fiber, a homogeneous composition manufactured with uniformly distributed protection against termites, rot and fungi and resistance to moisture. It also insulates, with twice the R-value of wood.
Carpenters and do-it-yourselfers can easily install 440 SoundBarrier® in room partitions and peripheral walls, ceilings and floors, in:
- single or multi-family housing
- high and low-rise apartments and condominiums
- motels
- schools
- professional buildings
- assisted living facilities
440 SoundBarrier's Advantages
- Lightweight
- Easy to handle, cut and shape
- Widely available in convenient sizes
- Ready to apply directly to framing
- Provides excellent noise attenuation when installed as recommended
- Provides excellent, moisture-resistant thermal insulation
| Thickness | Available Sizes | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 4' x 4', 4' x 8', 4' x 9', 4' x 10' |
1.2 lb/sq. ft. |
| 5/8" | 4' x 8', 4' x 10' | 1.5 lb/sq. ft. |
| 3/4" | 4' x 8' | 1.8 lb/sq. ft. |
Typical Physical Properties
| Density: | 26-28 lb./ft.3 |
| Tensile, parallel to surface (min.): | 450-700 psi |
| Transverse M.O.R. (min.): | 750-1000 psi |
| Hardness, Janka Ball (min.): | 230 lbs. |
| Water absorption by volume (max.): 2 hrs. immersion 24 hrs. Immersion |
5% 15% |
| Expansion from 50%-90% relative humidity (max.): |
0.25% |
|
R-value: |
1.2 1.33 1.4 |
| Noise Reduction Coefficient: | 0.20 |
| Flame Spread: | Class III (or C) |
Floor/Ceiling Assemblies (UL L-500 Series) in which Homasote is Listed
| UL FIRE RESISTANCE RATING DESIGN NUMBERS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L501 | L502 | L503 | L504 | L505 |
| L506 | L507 | L508 | L509 | L510 |
| L511 | L512 | L513 | L514 | L515 |
| L516 | L517 | L518 | L519 | L520 |
| L521 | L522 | L523 | L524 | L525 |
| L526 | L527 | L528 | L529 | L532 |
| L533 | L534 | L535 | L536 | L537 |
| L538 | L539 | L540 | L541 | L542 |
| L543 | L544 | L545 | L546 | L547 |
| L548 | L549 | L550 | L551 | L552 |
| L553 | L555 | L556 | L559 | L562 |