[AwokenTooOften]

Hello,

The people above me installed hardwood with SOLID SOUND PLUS
Now I hear footsteps and even get WOKEN UP!

Is SOLID SOUND PLUS COMPLETE GARBAGE?

What should I do?

 

[joecaption]

Never heard of it and nothing came up on Bing.

 

[Canarywood1]

Hello,

The people above me installed hardwood with SOLID SOUND PLUS
Now I hear footsteps and even get WOKEN UP!

Is SOLID SOUND PLUS COMPLETE GARBAGE?

What should I do?[/QUOte



That stuff is supposed to drastically reduce sound transfer between floors.

 

[AwokenTooOften]

That stuff is supposed to drastically reduce sound transfer between floors.

By supposed to, do you mean they market it that way or other people say that?

 

[DannyT]

http://www.solidsoundplus.com/

http://www.trademarkinternational.com/solidsound/about.html

the install directions say to glue the underlayment to the floor and glue the new wood to the underlayment.
its 2mm foam underlayment

 

[goosebarry]

Hello,

The people above me installed hardwood with SOLID SOUND PLUS
Now I hear footsteps and even get WOKEN UP!

Is SOLID SOUND PLUS COMPLETE GARBAGE?

What should I do?

I'm an engineer, but not a sound engineer. Comparing their test data to other IIC STC reports, their results are comparable to similar flooring systems that did not use their product. I suspect that most of the reduction in sound transmission comes from the other components in the test floor. They did not perform a comparison test between the floor with and without their product, so I can't say definitively.

From the companies literature,

Results: What is truly important considering Solid Sound Plus ?
Most people use SS+ to reduce the hollow, "reflected" sound commonly experienced with lower quality foams used beneath "floated" floors.
​

The company does not claim this is some miracle product to stop or even reduce sound transmission, just modify its profile. I think you and your upstairs neighbor were expecting more. This stuff is only 2mm (1/16in) thick, so I would not expect much reduction in sound transmission.

I also found it interesting that they claim an R value of 3, but as is typical in the insulation industry they did not specify the test conditions. So if I fill my walls with this stuff can I get R-135, probably not.

 

[Seattle2k]

earplugs or move.

 

[ToolSeeker]

Sounds like (get it ) it's more supposed to help the sound for the people walking on it than the people under it. Since they added this I think I would have a long talk with the landlord.

 

[AwokenTooOften]

I'm an engineer, but not a sound engineer. Comparing their test data to other IIC STC reports, their results are comparable to similar flooring systems that did not use their product. I suspect that most of the reduction in sound transmission comes from the other components in the test floor. They did not perform a comparison test between the floor with and without their product, so I can't say definitively.

From the companies literature,

Results: What is truly important considering Solid Sound Plus ?
Most people use SS+ to reduce the hollow, "reflected" sound commonly experienced with lower quality foams used beneath "floated" floors.
​

The company does not claim this is some miracle product to stop or even reduce sound transmission, just modify its profile. I think you and your upstairs neighbor were expecting more. This stuff is only 2mm (1/16in) thick, so I would not expect much reduction in sound transmission.

I also found it interesting that they claim an R value of 3, but as is typical in the insulation industry they did not specify the test conditions. So if I fill my walls with this stuff can I get R-135, probably not.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

Strata bylaws say it must minimize transmission of noise to other strata lots. Does this stuff come near to this requirement or are there way better products out there for minimizing noise transmission to other strata lots?


Strata told me this in an email:
An acoustic membrane must be installed before any laminate or manufactured hardwood floor covering is laid and must have an Impact Insulation Class (IIC) of at least 72 (ASTM E-492-90) and Sound Transmission Class (STC) of at least 73 (ASTM 90-02). All work must be completed by qualified flooring professionals

Solid sound says this:

- IIC/STC 75 / 73 were reportedin tests of floor systems constructed similarly to those in use where these measurements are critical or part of code requirements. These involved the use of Engineeredall wood flooring, Solid Sound Plus ,Gypcrete leveling material, OSB Sub-floor, wood truss joists, insulation between framing,resilient channels (hanging system), vapor barrier, and 5/8"drywall ceiling.This cross section is common in several parts of Canada, in construction of 2 – 5 Floor frame construction buildings, where the product is often installed.


They say they meet the ratings laid out by strata but they also list a bunch of other materials that I'm not familiar with. Are there things in that list that would provide a larger than normal amount of sound dampening so if tested in my building their ratings would be lower than 75/73? Do all these additional factors mean their sound rating test wasn't a legitimate certified test and these are just bs numbers?

 

[AwokenTooOften]

Sounds like (get it ) it's more supposed to help the sound for the people walking on it than the people under it. Since they added this I think I would have a long talk with the landlord.

haha very funny

Unfortunately, I and the people above me are owners, so there's no landlords to get at and I don't think either of us are going any where soon. I did speak to the people above and asked them nicely to stop waking me up. They didn't even give a half ass 'oh sorry we'll try to be quieter'. Just kept saying 'well, strata approved it so I don't have to do anything.' I've since escalated to less friendly approaches which seem to be helping.