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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
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General: Timber floating floor with cork underlay on concrete

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    • CommentAuthorShevek
    • CommentTimeApr 8th 2022 edited
     
    We're about to lay a floating floor in our apartment as follows:
    - 14 mm engineered wood click boards (with 3mm pre-finished oak top layer)
    - 2-3 mm cork (or rubber cork) underlay for sound insulation
    - existing structural floor is beam and block with screed, and we're at first floor level over another apartment

    When I discuss the cork underlay at various outlets here (in Portugal) they always recommend laying a vapour impermeable membrane before putting the cork underlay down, even though we're at first floor level.

    I presume this is because the concrete can absorb moisture from the air and then it'll want to head for the dry cork and wood?
    • CommentAuthorMike1
    • CommentTimeApr 8th 2022
     
    Cork is water-resistant and mould-resistant, so I can't see a reason for that at first floor level. What is their explanation?
  3.  
    Posted By: ShevekWhen I discuss the cork underlay at various outlets here (in Portugal) they always recommend laying a vapour impermeable membrane before putting the cork underlay down, even though we're at first floor level.


    Posted By: Mike1What is their explanation?

    'cos they always do = Butt covering !!
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeApr 8th 2022
     
    I would worry about the lease excluding using ‘hard’ flooring
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeApr 8th 2022
     
    Posted By: Shevek- 2-3 mm cork (or rubber cork) underlay for sound insulation
    For noise insulation I'd tend to use the rubber cork for choice. (If it's what I think it is - loose pieces of cork in a rubber base) and I suspect you'd want a bit more than 2-3 mm. Do the manufacturers produce any dB numbers?

    And I tend to agree with Mike and Peter. I can't see any lease in a hot country like Portugal saying anything about hard floors. I expect tiled floors and the like are the norm?
    • CommentAuthorShevek
    • CommentTimeOct 18th 2022
     
    I ended up going with some 2 mm cork rubber (rubber mixed with cork) with integrated VCL. Mainly because of availability but also because the cork rubber mix has the best acoustic performance.

    When I was researching it there also didn't appear to be a huge difference in acoustic performance between 2 mm and something thicker. There's a big difference between nothing and something, but then it's diminishing returns after that. I'll trying to fish out the numbers I saw, it's been a while since I looked.

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