PVC flooring and acoustics go surprisingly well together. Good acoustics are essential for comfort, whether you are welcoming guests in a hotel or restaurant, working from home, or want to relax in your own living room. A PVC floor is a flooring solution that does more than just look good. Read all about PVC and acoustics here.
Why acoustics are important
Research shows that noise pollution in the workplace is a major source of annoyance and leads to concentration problems and stress. For instance, 79% of employees indicate that noise pollution makes it difficult to concentrate, and nearly a third state that it comes at the expense of productivity.
Acoustics are also crucial for the guest experience in the hospitality industry. Poor acoustics quickly lead to an unpleasant atmosphere, where guests have difficulty hearing each other. Research by Royal Horeca Netherlands shows that noise pollution is the most common complaint from restaurant visitors.
A room with poor acoustics sounds hollow, loud, and restless. Sounds bounce off hard surfaces and create an unpleasant atmosphere. In homes, this leads to stress; in offices, to reduced concentration; and in the hospitality industry, to noisy conversations. Choosing the right floor is an important first step toward a quieter, more pleasant space.
PVC flooring and acoustics
PVC floors are composed of multiple layers that dampen sound. In combination with a good underlay, a PVC floor contributes to better acoustics. The material reduces impact sound (such as footsteps and sliding chairs) better than, for example, laminate or tiles. This makes a PVC floor ideal for apartments, family homes, offices, and public spaces.
However, there is an important difference in acoustic performance between click PVC and glue-down PVC floors:
- Click PVC. This floor is installed as a floating floor, which means there is always a small layer of air between the floor and the subfloor. This layer can actually amplify sound or make it sound hollow, depending on the chosen underlay;
- Glue-down PVC floors. These floors are applied directly to the subfloor. This ensures maximum sound absorption and prevents the ‘soundbox effect’ that sometimes occurs with click systems. TREU interior specials only offers glue-down PVC floors for a perfect balance between acoustics and appearance.
Tip: choose the right underlay
For maximum acoustic performance, choose a PVC floor with a sound-dampening base layer, or combine your floor with an underlay with high dB reduction. We are happy to advise you on which combination suits your space, use, and budget.
Ideal for combination with other solutions
At TREU interior specials, we think in total concepts. A PVC floor can be excellently combined with acoustic wall panels and curtains that match acoustically. This creates a harmonious whole, both visually and in terms of experience.
In practice: peace and style hand in hand
Over the years, TREU interior specials has realized several projects where acoustics played a decisive role. From luxurious apartments to comfortable hotel rooms and productive meeting rooms. View a selection of our projects with PVC floors and discover how style and silence come together. Want to know more?