Impact noise isolation on a floor system with coating application on the original floor

Abstract The classification of acoustic performance to impact noise in floor systems provided for in NBR 15575-3 (ABNT, 2013) is only required for new multi-floor buildings. This article addresses the noise problems occurring in buildings constructed before 2013. This study seeks for an alternative form of acoustic correction by applying a new coating on the original flooring. In order to do this, the following conditions were considered: ease of execution and lower increment in the total thickness of the floor system. An experimental study was performed in two acoustic chambers and on the field (residential building), where acoustic efficiency was verified in a real case. The new coatings applied on the original floor (enamelled ceramic) were: wood laminate; extra fine porcelain tiles and the same type of ceramic as the original flooring. The two latter did not have a resilient material between them and the original floor. The results showed that the proposed alternative has the potential to correct impact noise problems in floor systems between superimposed autonomous dwelling units. The systems using laminate wood on the original floor proved to be the most effective, as they combine greater acoustic insulation against the impact noise (until 28 dB), small increase in the final thickness of the system (1.6 cm) and ease of execution.