Sounding Out The Noise

With various studies documenting the negative effects unwanted noise can have on peoples’ well-being[1], it is clear that sound can have adverse effects on the human body such as sleeping disorders, stress and headaches. In the office, working in a noisy environment can also impact people’s mental health and productivity, increase the likelihood of distractions and reduce speech intelligibility.

With the recent news highlighting the roadmaps out of lockdown across the UK, it is looking likely that offices will be opening up again in the near future. Re-evaluating the sound insulation within the premises is therefore key, as a well-designed workplace should have acoustics at its core. There are a number of different sound insulation solutions that can be used, whether individually, or together, as part of a broader acoustic comfort strategy. In particular, acoustic flooring can play a significant role when it comes to reducing noise in buildings.

Designed to deal with impact sound, acoustic flooring is specifically manufactured with a high-performance foam backing to enhance impact sound reduction. Each individual project will have its own set of unique circumstances which will dictate the best acoustic flooring solution.

For applications where sound reduction is key, Forbo’s 19 dB rated products such as Sarlon 19 dB and Modul’up 19 dB offer excellent acoustic properties with residual indentation performance that’s the best in class. However, in some instances the floor coverings may be subjected to very heavy or rolling loads, and as such, Sarlon 15 dB will provide the optimum balance between acoustic performance and residual indentation.

All of these solutions are part of Forbo’s new Acoustic Collection, which offers a diverse portfolio of products available in adhesive free or traditional fully adhered formats in acoustic, compact and compact acoustic versions. They are all available in a choice of 94 designs, which have been split into the following design families: Wood, Material, Colour and Graphic, and include new digitally printed items. 

Within the Materials range, there is a selection of concrete, textile and stone aesthetics and within the Wood collection, specifiers will find a brand-new Hybrid Wood design, which fuses together wood and stone textures in a large-scale chevron design, creating a link between the two natural materials.  For those that want to add the ‘wow’ factor to a space, the Graphics range consists of a variety of contemporary designs, such as Terrazzo and Graphito. 

Bringing a modern abstract twist to the collection is the new colour Splash paint design, alongside Kubik, which replicates the intriguing geometric patterns you would find when looking through a kaleidoscope.

Last but not least is the Colours range. It is a compendium of solid shades and stardust designs, with the latter containing particles to create a ‘strass’ effect. What’s more, Forbo has also introduced a new tinted coloured wear layer to those found in this range to add more depth to the hues.

In addition to the variety of designs available, the Acoustic Collection also benefits from Forbo’s new XtremPURTM finish, an extremely high-performance lacquer protection, which provides the best possible resistance against stains, scuffs and scratches and provides a natural matte aesthetic. This new finish also enhances the slip resistance of the collection to R10 and delivers a fire performance of Bfl-s1. 

For more information about Forbo’s new Acoustic Collection, please visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/acousticcollection

To download Forbo’s new whitepaper on the Importance of Controlling Noise in the Built Environment, please visit our website.

[1] https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/noise








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