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Sound travels in waves by vibrating through the material in which it travels and it travels in three ways.
1) Mass
The amount of matter in an object. The greater the mass, the less it can be vibrated by sound waves and so the greater its sound insulation.
2) Completeness
If there is a gap in the sound insulation, the sound waves will pass through it, rendering the sound insulation useless, e.g. A sound proofed room with an open door.
3) Isolation
A sound bridge is a solid link between one place to another, along which sound waves can pass. Isolation removes this sound bridge, to reduce the passage of sound waves.
- Impact and airborne sound waves vibrate through floorboards.
- These in turn, vibrate the joists which vibrates the plasterboard, causing sound to pass through the floor.
- Mass of floor is relatively low, reducing sound insulation.
- Sound bridge transmits the sound waves from one level to another.
Picture of an ideal timber floor
- Mass of floor increased with sand and an extra layer of plasterboard.
- Sound bridge is removed through isolation by placing quilt insulation between the joists which reduces the energy of sound waves.
- The battens are not nailed to the joists.
