Soundproofing Your Flooring at Home in 2024

When it comes to minimising noise transfer through flooring material choices, carpet is the most effective flooring option. Its soft fibres act like fabric, absorbing sound at a much higher rate than hard flooring. This makes carpet a preferred choice in spaces like bars, cinemas, apartment complexes, and aeroplanes where noise control is crucial. Carpet effectively dampens sounds caused by foot traffic, chairs scraping, and objects being dropped, while also reducing reverberation. There are many beautiful carpet options, both wool carpet and synthetic options such as nylon carpet and triexta carpet, all in a range of styles and colours to suit every home. 

For the best acoustic performance, pair your carpet with a high-quality underlay (more on that below). Not only does this combination improve soundproofing, but it also adds a layer of comfort and insulation, making carpet an all-around excellent choice.

Underlay plays a vital role in soundproofing and offers several other benefits. When installed beneath the carpet, underlay:

• Prolong the life of the carpet by reducing wear and tear.
• Enhances comfort underfoot.
• Improves thermal insulation to keep your home cozy.

Acoustically, underlay provides an additional layer that absorbs and controls noise transfer. This is particularly valuable in open-plan spaces and multi-level homes, where noise can easily travel between rooms and floors. Investing in a high-quality underlay ensures a quieter, more comfortable living space.

If carpet isn’t an option, rugs are an excellent alternative for improving acoustics. They look fantastic, feel wonderful underfoot, and offer protection for your flooring—whether it’s hard or soft. Rugs help to reduce noise caused by footfalls, dragging furniture, and everyday activities, making them a practical addition to any room. In open-plan areas or rooms with hard flooring, strategically placing rugs can significantly improve sound absorption while enhancing the overall decor. If you are trying to reduce noise, choose a large rug with a thicker pile.

Hard flooring has undeniable benefits—it’s stylish, durable, and easy to clean—but it’s not as effective at noise reduction as carpet. Fortunately, modern technology has introduced hard flooring options designed with acoustics in mind

Every home is unique, and consulting with a flooring expert ensures you select the best product for your needs. Whether you prioritise soundproofing, durability, or aesthetics, there’s a hard flooring option to match your lifestyle.

The more fabrics and soft materials you incorporate into your home, the better equipped you’ll be to absorb excessive noise. Beyond their practical benefits, these elements also bring warmth, comfort, and style to your space. Consider the following decorative details:

• Curtains and Drapes: Heavy, plush fabrics are particularly effective at dampening sound. They also add a touch of elegance to your interiors.
• Throw Rugs and Cushions: These versatile accessories not only absorb sound but also enhance the visual appeal of your rooms.
• Upholstered Furniture: Soft, fabric-covered furniture pieces contribute to sound absorption while providing comfort and style.

By combining these elements, you can create a home that feels cosy and tranquil, even in areas with high noise levels.

In addition to selecting the right flooring and decorative details, here are some practical steps to improve soundproofing in your home:

1. Address Gaps and Cracks: Seal gaps in windows, doors, and walls to prevent noise from travelling between spaces.
2. Layer Soft Furnishings: Layer rugs, cushions, and throws to enhance sound absorption.
3. Add Bookcases and Shelving: Filled bookcases and shelving units act as natural sound barriers, reducing noise transfer between rooms.
4. Adopt Noise-Reducing Habits: Encourage family members to wear soft-soled slippers indoors and use furniture pads to minimise noise.

Creating a comfortable and quiet living environment requires thoughtful planning and the right materials. From the unmatched soundproofing qualities of carpet and rugs to the advancements in acoustic hard flooring, there are solutions to suit every home and lifestyle. Don’t forget the impact of decorative details like curtains and cushions, which can enhance both the aesthetics and acoustics of your space.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to make simple improvements, these tips will help you achieve a more peaceful and enjoyable home. For personalised advice, visit your nearest flooring expert and explore the wide range of products designed with acoustics in mind.

Where can I buy carpet?

Flooring Xtra have a wide range of carpets across varying price, fibre and style categories, with stores conveniently located Australia-wide! To find your nearest Flooring Xtra store you can use our Store Finder.

What type of flooring is the easiest to maintain?

All flooring requires some level of maintenance to ensure it will look good for a long time. All carpet and hard flooring should be swept or vacuumed regularly to remove grit and dirt from the surface (which can lead to scratches and marks). Laminate and vinyl floors are excellent low-maintenance hard flooring options while solution dyed nylon and polypropylene carpet are also resilient.

What are the benefits of a professional flooring installer?

Deciding what new flooring you will install at home is a big deal! There is a lot to consider and it’s an investment which is why it’s important to get the installation done by the professionals- they know what they are doing and are incredibly knowledgable. They have all the right tools, they can problem solve, drawing on years of experience and get things done promptly. Each Flooring Xtra store has its own professional installers so you can relax while the experts get the job done!