In the current flooring market, there is a growing interest in sound-absorbing floors. However, China currently lacks specific product standards for such flooring. The Chinese Academy of Forestry's Timber Industry Research Institute is leading efforts to develop an industry standard titled "Testing the Performance of Wooden Muted Floors." This initiative aims to establish a scientific testing method that can clearly evaluate the noise-reduction capabilities of these products.
Sound-absorbing flooring has gained attention not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its functional benefits. It is a relatively new type of flooring, with prices ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars per square meter. Common materials include cork and PVC. Many manufacturers promote their products as highly effective at reducing noise, aiming to capture consumer interest. However, when asked about the specifics of their testing methods or data, most companies remain vague.
During a visit to a flooring showroom, a business owner displayed a prominent sign: “Cork Flooring – Sound Absorbing, Sound Insulating, New Arrival – 320 RMB per Square Meter.†A staff member explained that the flooring features a three-layer structure, with a density board in the middle and oak bark on both the top and bottom layers. According to them, the soft material helps reduce noise. Yet, when questioned about how exactly the cork achieves this effect, the response was unclear.
Another store provided more detailed information, including samples and promotional brochures. One brochure claimed that the flooring is imported from France, made from a soft plastic material with excellent sound insulation properties. It stated that the flooring could reduce noise by up to 19 decibels and cut walking noise by 8 to 10 times compared to harder floor materials. However, when asked about the testing organization or methodology used, the staff remained silent.
The reporter contacted several flooring companies and found that most could not provide concrete data on the sound-absorbing performance of their products. Only one company had some data, but it lacked details on the testing institution or the exact measurement method.
Consumers are intrigued by the concept of sound-absorbing flooring, especially those with elderly family members or children. However, many remain skeptical. Ms. Yan, a consumer, shared that she installed cork flooring a few years ago and found it more comfortable than other types, but she didn't notice a significant difference in sound absorption.
Most consumers believe that the claims about sound absorption and insulation are marketing tactics rather than factual benefits. Despite this, there is a clear demand for quieter flooring solutions in the market. To address this, it is essential to first establish a reliable testing method, followed by the creation of standardized product criteria.
According to the upcoming "Test Method for the Performance of Wooden Muted Floors," a "silent floor" is defined as a functional flooring system that reduces the noise generated by footsteps. It typically uses wood materials, modified substrates, or soft wood to achieve better noise reduction. Once this test method is officially released, the performance of silent floors can be evaluated using measurable data.
The test method will use the sound from free-falling balls hitting the floor to simulate the noise caused by walking. The noise produced during impact is called impact sound, while the noise transmitted to adjacent spaces is known as impact sound insulation. The performance of the floor is measured by the impact sound level and the improvement in impact sound insulation. Lower impact sound levels and higher insulation improvements indicate better noise-reduction performance.
Currently, dozens of flooring companies in China are involved in the silent floor market. Although production is still limited, the trend shows strong growth potential. Developing and refining sound-absorbing floor standards is crucial for regulating the market, protecting consumer interests, and promoting the sustainable development of the industry.
However, the "Test Method for the Performance of Wooden Muted Floors" only covers the evaluation of sound performance and does not address other properties of the flooring. Therefore, further improvements are needed in the overall standardization of sound-absorbing flooring products.
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