Shh, don't make a sound: How sound proofing your home could improve your well-being.

To form an understanding of the importance of acoustics and soundproofing in new builds, the Building Regulations for sound (Part E in England and Wales) are split into two sections: E1 and E2.

E1 looks at protection from noise from adjoining buildings (flats, terraces, semis).

E2 deals with sound transmission within the home itself.

E2 is where you - the homeowner - can make a real difference to your internal environment. We all want to retreat into our homes and find peace and quiet, but that’s a lot easier said than done. In the UK the average person spends around 90% of each day inside, and a significant amount of this time is spent at home. One major noise irritant that affects over half of the UK’s homeowners is creaky flooring. In fact, research undertaken by the NSBC has shown that homeowners classify it as a major irritant - worse than noise generated from technology.

‘UK environmental consultants also believe that excessive levels of noise pollution can actually lead to ill health.’ We all know how irritating it can be trying to sleep and having a house that murmurs and creaks from even the lightest footstep. So now is the time to consider how even small alterations to the soundproofing and acoustics in your home could improve your overall health and well being.

So, what are the options? Well, you could move deep into the countryside and attempt to get your hands on a 16^th Century detached cottage with walls a metre thick… or, consider a retrofit. The latter will allow you to improve on your current home, and add to its value, with just a few minor adjustments. For instance, if you’re planning on updating your traditional heating system in favour of a more energy efficient alternative OMNIE has a range of solutions. Our LowBoard RdB and TorFloor RdB models are designed with peace (and quiet) in mind.  They provide radiant heat, which feels like sunlight (unlike what’s produced from a traditional convector system), as well as inbuilt acoustic separation layers, specifically designed to dampen vibration and reduce noise. Less creaky floorboards and more heat. Never a bad thing. 

The Lowboard RdB is better suited to a retrofit option because it is OMNIE’s lowest system, and crucially one of the lowest available on the market. At just 15mm, it’s the same height as a 5 pence piece. The Lowboard RdB exists to crush any notion that underfloor heating installation is disruptive and can only be installed at build stage. Floating floors in any room of your property will benefit from installation.

The Torfloor RdB is another of OMNIE's best-selling systems, due in large part to its dual function as an underfloor heating source and a structural floor. It boasts two additional layers from our original TorFloor model; these layers are bonded together - designed to reduce vibration and stifle airborne and impact noise passing through floors. 

If you want to invest in a better quality heating system for your home, and improve your structural flooring at the same time, send us your plans and we’ll do the rest. OMNIE any floor any home.