8 tips for installing an acoustic membrane

Thursday, 21 September 2017

In a double-glued down installation, several factors contribute to the acoustic efficiency aside from the acoustic membrane itself. To achieve satisfying and optimal acoustic results with AcoustiTECH membranes, it is important to follow installation procedures properly. For example, raising the membrane vertically on walls, using the appropriate membrane according to the floor covering chosen and decoupling the floor form the wall/baseboard avoiding transfer of vibrations between units.

 Here are 8 tips to optimize a double-glued down installation with an acoustic membrane:

1. Allow the floor covering to acclimate to the room temperature 48 to 72 hours prior to its installation (mainly for wood and vinyl flooring);

2. Use the appropriate trowel. Follow the adhesive manufacturer's recommendations;

3. Raise the membrane vertically about 2 inches (5 cm) on walls to avoid contact between the structures and the floor covering.

4. Make sure the seams of the membrane are joined together so that there is no space between the strips. The membrane strips should be touching without overlapping;

5. After gluing the membrane down, use a flooring roller to ensure optimal adhesion.

6. Install the floor covering perpendicular to the membrane to ensure that there are no overlaps. Follow floor covering manufacturer's recommendations;

7. Use the appropriate acoustic membrane for each type of floor covering (even under ceramic tiles and vinyl planks);

8. Decouple all materials. Baseboards should not come into direct contact with the floor covering in order to prevent noise/vibration transfer. Also, leave a space between the floor covering and the wall to allow expansion of the floor covering and avoid noise/vibration transfer.