Underlays - Premium Floors

Combi-Lay Standard

Combi-Lay Standard is a good quality, medium density polyolefin underlay for all floating floor applications. It incorporates a continuous clear damp-proof with 100mm overlap and integrated “peel and stick”. The inclusion of a continuous damp proof is a requirement under most floating floor installations. With Combi-Lay, the need for additional damp proof layers is almost always avoided*, making installations quicker and more cost effective.

Combi-Lay Standard combines the right balance of compression, slip and damp proof characteristics into one affordable package. The 50 square metre rolls are easy to handle, while the no fuss lay flat polymers make installation simple.

Quiet-Step Combi-Lay

Quiet-Step Combi-Lay is a superior underlay, where reduced reflected foot noise and sound reduction in multi- story buildings are required. It is made of high density polyolefin copolymer resin which effectively reduces the hollow and often “clunky” foot noise associated with floating floors. Quiet-Step Combi-Lay addresses this key negative of floating floor installations, while performing all the tasks of a superior quality underlay including a continuous damp proof*.

Quiet-Step Combi-Lay is the first floating floor underlay in Australia to take reflected foot noise seriously. Independent University tests show a 30% or more reduction in reflected foot noise for the user, while the underlay has achieved an excellent LnT,w = 40 rating in multi-story applications.

The integrated damp proof removes the need for additional damp proof layers in most instances*, while the products strength and lay flat characteristics make it a pleasure to install.

The underlay that will make your floating floor 30% quieter to walk on

Quiet-Step Combi-Lay is the first floating floor underlay in Australia to take reflected foot noise reduction seriously. Compared to normal underlay, it delivers 30% noise reduction in reflected noise, while performing all the tasks you would expect from a premium underlay. Even professional contractors are impressed. This is what commercial flooring contractor Phil Cattenazzi has to say about Quiet-Step Combi-Lay: “We use and recommend Quiet-Step Combi-Lay to provide improved impact isolation and greatly reduced reflected foot noise in many applications, from high rise developments to single dwelling projects”.

Reflected noise

Reflected noise is that noise experience by the person walking on the flooring system. The amount and type of this noise depends on the type of surface and underlay used.

When used under wood, laminate or bamboo flooring systems,
Quiet-Step Combi-Lay actively reduces the amount of foot fall noise by about 30%. This results in a quieter, more solid sounding floor for the end user.

There is no standardised test requirement for this type of noise, however, a simple “tap” test will demonstrate the clear difference between Quiet-Step Combi-Lay and other acoustic underlays.

Multi-storey noise

Multi-storey noise testing generally involves the site testing of a flooring system in situ. It involves a measurement of noise transfer from an upper floor, to a lower floor (receiving room). A standardised “tapping” machine is installed in the upper room, and sensitive listening equipment is used on the receiving room to measure the effective noise reduction. As you would expect, each site will perform differently, in relation to concrete density and thickness, ceiling treatments, and other structural considerations. As such, the results provided are a measure of the structural characteristics of the building, as much as the measure of flooring and underlay performance.

Building Code of Aust 2004 (BCA) established some standardised requirements for multi-storey noise. These BCA guidelines were established after much consultation, and offer the only authoritative guideline for such noise in Australia.

The BCA states that multi-storey noise should not exceed L’ntw + C1 of 62. As such the result of 43 easily complies with this requirement, whilst providing very low reflected noise. Unfortunately, the standard Strata Title Act only states that “peaceful enjoyment” of adjoining lots must be provided. Such an arbitrary and vague guideline has led many Body Corporates to register special guidelines for their own building. Please refer to these guidelines carefully when enacted.

It is quite clear that floating floor systems work very well because of the inherent isolation afforded by this method of installation.

It is also clear that other factors like use of rugs and runners, soft sole shoes and the type of use of an upper floor space will also have a profound effect on the amount of noise received downstairs.