When it comes to multifamily buildings and commercial spaces, concrete floors are a common choice due to their durability and solid feel, but they aren’t inherently soundproof—you might be familiar with the thud of footsteps above or the sound of chairs scraping on a concrete floor. Soundproofing a concrete floor is an effective and time-worthy way to create a more comfortable and professional environment.

Airborne Noise Vs Impact Noise

Concrete floors are indeed better at blocking noise than wood floors, thanks to their density. This makes them an excellent choice for multifamily buildings or large commercial spaces. However, as tough as concrete is, it's not without its weaknesses. Concrete itself is not great when it comes to impact noise like dragging furniture or heavy footsteps.

Concrete Soundproofing Performance

Airborne Noise

Concrete’s mass is excellent for blocking airborne noise, giving it a high STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating. The thicker the slab, the better the soundproofing. Holes for electrical wiring and other penetrations need to be sealed properly, or they’ll let sound slip through. Sound can also travel along the floor to the walls and down to the ceiling below, creating a major flanking path and quite the headache.

Impact Noise

Impact noise is a different beast. Concrete alone isn’t great at stopping it without additional treatments. With the right soundproofing materials, you can boost the IIC (Impact Insulation Class) rating significantly, meet building codes, and keep things quiet.

If you want to learn more about the difference between impact noise and airborne noise, check out our article on the topic.

How to Soundproof a Concrete Floor

You can approach soundproofing a concrete floor in three ways: from the floor side, from the ceiling side, or BOTH!

Floor-Side Solutions

Most multifamily and commercial buildings have a finished ceiling below your concrete floor. In that case, UnderBlock™ rubber underlayment is an excellent product for taking a chunk out of impact noise. If you’re laying down a tile floor that needs soundproofing, be sure to get the 2mm UnderBlock™ or upgrade to UnderBlock™ HD.

If you don’t have a finished ceiling below your concrete floor, you’ll want to get UnderBlock™ HD. It’s a specially formulated underlayment that provides superior performance compared to standard recycled rubber. This product can help you achieve an IIC rating in the 60s, ensuring a quieter space even without a ceiling below.

Ceiling-Side Solutions

Alternatively, you can work on the ceiling side. If there’s a finished ceiling, you can use RSIC-1® Retro clips to add 1 or 2 more layers of 5/8" drywall and isolate a new ceiling from the assembly.

If there is no finished ceiling install our RSIC-ADM® clips directly into the concrete ceiling to enhance soundproofing. You can also wire-hang a drywall grid and use RSIC-WHI® mid-wire to enhance the IIC rating. With this setup, you'll boost STC ratings and can achieve IIC ratings in the 60s, meeting and exceeding building codes.

Pairing one of the clip systems with underlayment on the floor side will get you even better results for those high IIC rating requirements.

before soundproofing concrete floors

Before you start soundproofing your concrete floor, reach out to us at Second Skin Audio. We’re happy to assist you with any questions and guide you to the best products for your specific situation. Remember, a little investment in soundproofing can go a long way in improving the sound quality of your space. Let’s work together to create a quieter, more comfortable environment.

UnderBlock™ HD Rubber Floor Underlayment

How to Soundproof a Floor

Ceiling Soundproofing Guide

How to Quiet Noisy Upstairs Neighbors