#Industry News
Underscreed: more silence and more comfort
The application of an underscreed during the construction process of a building plays a fundamental role in its acoustic insulation and, consequently, in the comfort of its users.
Cork-based or recycled materials-based underscreeds offer a solution that combines both performance and sustainability.
Acoustic comfort inside buildings represents a growing concern. The development of urban centres, along with economic and technological advances, has multiplied noise sources both inside and outside buildings, leading to environments with higher noise indexes. In addition, populations are more and more aware of the impact of noise in their quality of life and demand more comfortable and more efficient spaces.
Noise and health
Although not everyone reacts to sound in the same manner, noise is considered to be any unwanted sound which causes an unpleasant or bothersome feeling in the human ear. Continuous exposure to excessive levels of noise contributes to an increase in stress levels and has an impact on our well-being, making it difficult to concentrate, communicate, rest and sleep. In the long term, hearing difficulties or other health problems may arise.
In housing and workspaces, two major types of noise generally affect us: aerial and percussion or impact noise. Aerial noise spreads through the air, like a conversation or music in a neighboring apartment or room, as well as the sound of traffic or airplanes. On the other hand, percussion or impact noise is produced by vibrations transmitted through the buildings’ structural elements. The dragging of furniture steps on the floor while wearing heels or shoes with hard soles and also vibrations caused by operating machines (such as elevators or air conditioning units) are examples of this type of noise.
