Over 500 Insulation Products Available – Your One-Stop Shop for All Insulation Needs.

Rated 'Excellent' by Our Customers – Trusted Quality and Service.

Free Next-Day Delivery on Orders Over £250 – Fast and Reliable Service Across the UK.

Acoustic Underlay for Quieter Floors - AcousticMat Guide

Acoustic Underlay for Quieter Floors - AcousticMat Guide

Kirsty MacLeod |

AcousticMat 1200×600 (0.72 m²) — 9 mm Double Layer & 12 mm Triple Layer | Benefits & Installation Guide

Floor soundproofing underlay. See benefits, specifications, finish compatibility, coverage calculator, and detailed installation for timber and concrete subfloors.

AcousticMat 1200 × 600 mm (0.72 m²) — 9 mm Double Layer & 12 mm Triple Layer

A dedicated acoustic underlay for quieter floors with minimal height gain. AcousticMat is supplied as easy-to-handle sheets and is designed to cut impact noise (footfall) while keeping build-ups slim. Choose 9 mm where headroom is tight, or 12 mm for tougher sound control.

Impact noise reduction Slim build-up (9–12 mm) DIY & trade friendly Timber & concrete subfloors

Why buyers choose AcousticMat

  • Real-world quiet: Softens heel-strike and reduces transfer to rooms below.
  • Low-profile system: 9–12 mm helps avoid trimming doors and re-setting thresholds.
  • Fast progress on site: 1200 × 600 mm sheets cut cleanly with a knife and stagger quickly.
  • Finish-agnostic: Works beneath carpet, LVT/vinyl, engineered wood; tiling via a decoupling/backer board.
  • Flanking control: Designed to pair with perimeter isolation strips and acoustic sealant to stop sound “short-circuiting”.

Key specifications

Attribute 9 mm Double Layer 12 mm Triple Layer
Sheet size / coverage 1200 mm × 600 mm — 0.72 m² per sheet
Total thickness 9 mm 12 mm
Main purpose Resilient acoustic underlay to reduce impact sound; complements airborne control within a full system
Typical substrates Timber decks (ply/chipboard) and cured concrete/screed (flat, dry, sound)
Finish compatibility Carpet (with dense underlay), LVT/vinyl, engineered wood; tiles via decoupling/backer board above the mat

Which thickness is right for me?

Scenario 9 mm 12 mm
Very tight door clearances / minimal height gain ✅ Best fit ◻︎ Check clearances
Bedrooms / studies (light–moderate use) ✅ Suitable ✅ Extra comfort
Hallways / open-plan areas (heavier traffic) ◻︎ Good ✅ Better
Stricter acoustic targets / neighbour complaints ◻︎ Consider hybrid build-up ✅ Preferred
Budget sensitivity ✅ Lower material cost ◻︎ Higher material cost

Coverage calculator

Sheets required = Room area (m²) ÷ 0.72round up and add 5–10% for cuts.

Room area Sheets (no wastage) Order this many (5–10% extra)
10 m² 14 15–16
12 m² 17 18–19
15 m² 21 22–23
20 m² 28 29–31

Finish compatibility (what goes above the mat?)

Floor finish Layer above AcousticMat Notes
Carpet Dense carpet underlay Use gripper rods fixed through to subfloor without creating rigid bridges at the perimeter strip.
LVT / Vinyl Follow brand-approved primer/leveller if specified Check adhesive compatibility for resilient layers over acoustic mats.
Engineered wood Manufacturer-approved underlay/adhesive system Float or bond per flooring guidance; avoid hard contact to walls.
Tiles Decoupling/backer board fixed on top Then tile to the board per the tile system specification.

Tools & materials you’ll need

  • Sharp knife & straightedge; tape measure; pencil/chalk line
  • Acoustic sealant for perimeters and penetrations
  • Compatible adhesive (if using a bonded method) or roller/weights for bedding
  • Decoupling/backer board (if tiling)

Subfloor preparation

Timber decks (ply/chipboard)

  • Secure loose boards and eliminate squeaks (additional screws as required).
  • Feather minor low spots; the surface must be flat, clean and dry.
  • Remove thresholds and trims; check door clearances.

Concrete / screed slabs

  • Ensure slab is fully cured and within moisture limits for the chosen finish.
  • Grind ridges and fill hollows; vacuum clean.
  • If required, apply a DPM/primer compatible with the chosen adhesive/finish.

Installation guide (detailed)

  1. Isolate the perimeter: Run the acoustic perimeter strip around all walls and fixed upstands. This prevents the new floor from touching rigid structure.
  2. Plan the layout: Set out a brick-bond pattern so short joints are staggered. Dry-lay the first few rows to confirm cuts around door linings, stairs and services.
  3. Cut to size: Score with a sharp knife along a straightedge. Trial-fit pieces to keep factory edges tight where possible.
  4. Place & fix:
    • Bonded method: Apply compatible adhesive in accordance with the data sheet; place sheets, then roll/weight to bed uniformly.
    • Floating method: Where permitted, lay sheets tight-jointed over the prepared deck. Follow the finish manufacturer’s guidance for floating systems.
  5. Detail penetrations: Sleeve around pipes/posts; fill the annulus with acoustic sealant to preserve movement and airtightness.
  6. Maintain isolation: Do not bridge the perimeter strip with the mat, underlay, fixings or trims. Use appropriate transition profiles at thresholds.
  7. Finish layer: Install carpet, LVT/vinyl, engineered wood, or backer board for tiles as specified. Keep a small expansion gap to walls and seal if required by the system.

Common pitfalls to avoid: leaving gaps unsealed, compressing the perimeter strip, hard-fixing skirtings through the acoustic line and tiling directly to the mat.

Where AcousticMat excels

  • Flats and terraces where height is restricted but complaints about footfall are common.
  • Bedrooms and home offices over living spaces.
  • Concrete slabs under hard finishes that sound “hollow”.
  • Multi-room refurbishments where fast, consistent laying matters.

FAQs

Will AcousticMat work with underfloor heating?

Often yes, as a resilient layer above fully cured screed. Always check UFH and flooring manufacturer guidance for compatibility and expected thermal response.

Can I tile straight onto AcousticMat?

No. Fit a suitable decoupling/backer board on top, then tile to that board per the tile system specification.

How much noise reduction should I expect?

Performance depends on the full build-up and how well you control flanking. The 12 mm option typically provides a greater reduction than 9 mm thanks to added mass/decoupling.