Sound Control Solutions in Floor/Ceiling Assemblies

Controlling sound becomes more important every day. At SAMfloors, it is our mission to provide elegant, functional sound control solutions to meet the rapidly growing need for personal health, welfare and privacy.

SF Products

SAMfloors SF Sound Control Products feature a lightweight monolithic, closed-cell composite technology that combines ease of use and superior performance, with lower cost.

70 IIC67 STC

With a Delta IIC as high as 23 and IIC and STC ratings that exceed UBC/IBC requirements by more than 40%, meeting the needs has never been easier.

Actual acoustical performance is dependent on system design and construction of the floor/ceiling assembly. Performance data based on third party independent laboratory testing and typical properties. For values related to individual assemblies, please refer to the respective product information sheets.

Sound Control BasicsHow is sound transmitted in floor/ceiling

assemblies?

Attenuation

Sound Diminishes Through Attenuation of the Sound Wave. Attenuation is the Combination of

Absorption and Scattering /Diffusion.

Absorption Absorption- The process by which a

material, structure, or object takes in

sound energy when sound waves are

encountered. Part of the absorbed

energy is transformed into heat and

part is transmitted through the

absorbing body. The sound energy

transformed into heat is said to have

been 'lost'.

Diffusion

Diffusion (Scattering)- Sound will

move laterally after it crosses into a

resilient layer.

Sound Control BasicsHow is sound measured in floor/ceiling

assemblies?

STC tests the ability of a specific construction assembly to reduce airborne sounds,

such as voices, stereo systems, and TV (ASTM E 90). It should be noted that this test

takes all components of a floor / ceiling assembly into consideration, such as framing

type, insulation, ceiling components, etc. A rating of 50 STC or above will satisfy the

International Building Code.

Sound Transmission Class (STC)

IIC tests the ability to block impact sound by measuring the resistance to transmission

of impact noise or structure-borne noise (simulating footfalls, objects dropped on the

floor, etc.) (ASTM E 492/E 989). Similar to STC, the IIC performance values include all

components, not just sound underlayment, in their calculation. A rating of 50 IIC or

above will satisfy the International Building Code.

Impact Insulation Class (IIC)

Another test that more directly evaluates impact sound of underlayment materials is ASTM E-2179, also known as the “Delta” test. This test consists of two IIC tests conducted over the same 6” concrete slab. One test is over the bare concrete slab (no flooring materials) and the other is over the concrete slab with floor covering and sound underlayment included. The measured IIC values are compared to the reference floor levels defined in the standard and adjusted to provide the IIC the covering would produce on the reference concrete floor. This test is important as it does not take any other components (insulation, ceiling, etc) of a floor / ceiling assembly into consideration, but instead, only measures the effect of the sound underlayment.

Understanding IIC & STC Sound Testing Retrieved from http://nalfa.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/sound_testing_white_paper.pdf

Delta Impact Insulation Class (Delta IIC)“The Delta IIC is the only true standard for comparing the performance of competitive sound underlayment materials.”

Sound Control BasicsTraditionally, what materials have been used to

control sound?

Rubber

➔ Utilizes increased mass/density to create sound transmission loss.

➔ Heavy➔ Expensive➔ Difficult to cut➔ Not odorless-emissions➔ Requires thicker layers in order to

increase performance

Entangled Mesh➔ Utilizes airspace to create

sound transmission loss.➔ Not monolithic➔ More expensive➔ Sandwich configuration➔ Subject to compression➔ Challenging to install➔ Can not receive direct

application of floor goods

Sound Control BasicsWhat is the new technology for controlling sound?

Based on a Proprietary Composite Technology™, the SF sound underlayment delivers the optimal combination of Air, Mass and Density.

The SF sound underlayment is scientifically designed to deliver optimal results in a low-profile layer, while effectively creating performance values that exceed code requirements by as much as 40%.

SF Sound Underlayment

Monolithic, Closed Cell Composite Technology.

During Absorption and Diffusion, SF 300™ closed cell technology captures and isolates the sound with each cell acting as a sound absorber.

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SAMfloors In Action

Code Compliant

With IIC ratings as high as 70 dB, SF Products meet or exceed UBC/IBC code

requirements for sound control by more than 40%.

Science In A Roll

The optimal combination of materials created by scientists to address society’s growing need for health, welfare and

privacy.

Fire Rated

Achieves a Class A rating when tested in accordance

with ASTM E-84-14. For use in most UL fire rated

assemblies.

Resistant to moisture, mold and

bacteriaSAMfloors products are

impervious to mildew, mold, rot, and bacteria, as well as

resistant to moisture, chemicals, and grease.

High or Low Frequencies

Whether you are looking for basic comfort or want to

address high and low frequency impact noise, we have a product solution to fit

your needs.

Lightweight

Each 1000 Sq Ft roll weighs in at 32lbs. That’s 40% more

mat and 10lbs less per roll than Entangled Mesh, and 10X lighter than Rubber.

Sustainable

Manufactured with 100% recyclable materials. Our Eco-options contain over

50% recycled raw materials. SF Products are

non-toxic and odorless.

Low Profile

SAMfloors ⅛” low profile mat is easily rolled out, fitted, and placed onto a surface. This easy to cut mat has multiple

uses.

Direct Attachment of

floor goods

SF Sound Underlayment allows for direct attachment of a wide variety of floor coverings including engineered wood, laminate, hardwood and other finishes.

For Use In Most UL Fire

Rated Assemblies

Achieve the highest level of performance when used in combination with poured cements.

For Use In the Following UL Fire Rated Assemblies:

Wood:

L502, L513, L515, L516, L518, L520, L521, L528, L529, L530, L533, L534, L538,

L542, L545, L546, L550, L556, L558, L562, L563, L570, L571, L574, L576, L583,

L585, L590, L592, L593, M503, M502, M506, M508, M519

Concrete, Steel Deck, Other:

G524, J917, J919, J920, J924, J927, J931, J957, J991, J994, L551, L565, L566, M513

MOST BASIC

The SAMfloors SF 170™ underlayment is specially designed to cushion floor goods in interior spaces. Based on proven technology, the SF 170™ provides exceptional value in a loose-lay floor finish system where comfort is of primary concern.

MOST POPULAR

The SF 300™ low-profile underlayment has multiple uses and can act as a high grade substrate for poured cements as well as receive direct application of most types of floor coverings, including Luxury Vinyl Tile, wood, laminate, and carpet. SF 300™ is easily rolled out, fitted, and placed onto a surface.

SF 600™

MOST DURABLE

SF 600™ has all the features and benefits of the other SF products with the added benefit of the highest level of durability.

SF 300™SF 170™

SF Product SelectorSF 170™ SF 300™ SF 600™

Thickness (in.) 1/8 1/8 1/8

Roll width (in.) 48 48 48

Roll length (ft.) 250 250 250

Weight (lbs)/100 Sq Ft 1.7 3.2 6.25

IIC rating per ASTM E 492-09¹ (dB) 49 69 70

STC rating per ASTM E 90-04, E413-04,10¹ (dB) 48 65 70

Delta IIC per ASTM 2179-03¹ (dB) 12 21 23

Density per ASTM D3575-0 lb/ft³ 1.7 3.0 6.0

Fire Burn Rating per ASTM E-84-14 Class A/I Class A/I Class A/I

Moisture Sensitive No No No

Can Receive Poured Cement No Yes Yes

Loose Lay of Floor Goods Yes Yes Yes

Adhesive Compatible² No Yes Yes

Performance Good Better Best

Performance/Weight/ValueHow do we stack up against the competition?

Sound Performance

Compared to Rubber and Entangled Mesh, SF 300™ provides a higher sound value and exceeds UBC/IBC requirements by more than 35%.

∆IIC 21* / IIC 69* / STC 65*

Superior performance at both low and high frequencies.

16

⅛”Rubber**

20

⅛”Entangled Mesh

21

⅛”SF 300™

Graph: Delta IIC rating per ASTM E-2179

*Best Performance

*Actual acoustical performance is dependent on system design and construction of the floor/ceiling assembly.** Finish floor- Ceramic Tile

SF 300™ vs

Rubber

➔ Weight: SF is 10 times lighter than Rubber➔ Performance: SF 300™ outperforms rubber in

sound value, at only half the thickness.➔ Health: SF 300™ is odorless and does not

produce any harmful emissions

SF 300™ vs

Entangled Mesh

➔ Weight: SF 300™ supplies 40% more Sq Ft per roll, and is 10lbs lighter.

➔ Performance: at only half the thickness of Entangled Mesh, SF 300™ provides much greater sound performance.

➔ Sustainability: SF 300™ is 100% recyclable

The Solution

Creating sound control solutions is about meeting the desired specification.

SAMfloors SF 300™

The Logical Choice