Superior Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction
ECF offers superior sound insulation and noise reduction, making it an excellent choice for commercial and residential applications, such as multi-family units, multi-level homes and condominiums. ECF’s acoustical ratings, as measured by a certified, third-party laboratory, are among the highest in the industry. Quality construction and materials ensure that ECF’s sound insulation is durable, lasting as long as the product itself.
Acoustical Report – IIC >
Acoustical Report – STC (Engineered Wood Flooring) >
Acoustical Report – STC (Laminate Flooring) >
Acoustical Report – STC (Hardwood Flooring) >
Acoustical Report – Delta IIC >
Why it Matters
Acoustical ratings may seem overly technical, but they are simply a measurement of two different types of sound: impact and airborne sound transmission.
Impact Insulation Class (IIC) refers to the ability to block sounds from impact. Imagine your upstairs neighbor repeatedly dropping their cell phone on the floor, your teenager taking up weightlifting, or your daughter playing dress-up and clomping around in heels right above your home office. 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. Delta IIC is basically comparing two IIC tests on the same concrete subfloor. A higher number shows better performance. One test measures impact sound on a bare concrete floor. The other test measures sound on the same subfloor with underlayment only. The difference between the two tests is the Delta IIC rating, a value notably lower than IIC ratings because the value of the subfloor itself is eliminated in the comparison.
Sound Transmission Class (STC) tests airborne sound transmission. To understand this rating, imagine your upstairs neighbor is hosting fantasy football tournaments, your teenager has quit fitness and is learning the drums, and your daughter is obsessed with Selena Gomez. Now, imagine these sounds being absorbed by the flooring beneath them. This is sound transmission, and this rating measures the number of decibels that airborne sound is reduced.
Check out these blog posts to learn more.
Some Sound Advice >
The Health Reasons You Need an Acoustical Laminate Underlayment >