In the current Chinese market, there are no official product standards for silent or sound-absorbing flooring. However, the Timber Industry Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Forestry is leading efforts to develop an industry standard titled *"Testing the Performance of Wooden Muted Floors."* This initiative aims to create a more scientific and reliable method for evaluating the noise-reduction capabilities of such flooring, ensuring that claims made by manufacturers can be verified.
Sound-absorbing flooring has gained attention in recent years as a new type of floor option. Prices vary widely, ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars per square meter, with materials commonly including cork, PVC, and other soft substances. Many retailers emphasize the sound-absorbing properties of their products to attract buyers, but often without clear evidence or specific testing data to back up these claims.
During a visit to a flooring showroom, a business owner proudly displayed a sign stating, "Cork Flooring: Sound Absorbing, Sound Insulating — New Arrival, 320 yuan per square meter." According to the staff, the flooring features a three-layer structure, with the middle layer being a density board and the top and bottom layers made of oak bark. The surface felt soft to the touch, and the staff claimed this contributed to its sound-absorbing effect. However, when asked how exactly the cork material achieved this, the response was vague.
Another shop offered more detailed information, providing samples and brochures that highlighted the product’s French origin and its ability to reduce noise by 19 decibels. It also claimed to cut walking noise by 8 to 10 times compared to traditional hard floors. Despite these impressive numbers, the staff could not provide details on which testing organization conducted the study or what methodology was used—raising questions about the validity of the claims.
When the reporter contacted several flooring companies, most were unable to provide concrete data supporting their sound-absorbing claims. Only one company had some data, but it lacked transparency regarding the testing body and procedures involved.
Many consumers remain skeptical about the actual effectiveness of sound-absorbing flooring. Ms. Yan, a customer who installed cork flooring at home, noted that while it felt more comfortable than other types, the sound-absorbing effect was not very noticeable. Others who purchased such flooring believed the benefits were exaggerated, viewing them more as marketing tactics than real advantages.
Despite the skepticism, there is a growing demand for quiet flooring solutions, especially in homes with elderly individuals or children. However, without clear definitions or standards, it's difficult for consumers to determine what qualifies as a truly “silent†floor.
To address this, the upcoming *"Test Method for the Performance of Wooden Muted Floors"* aims to establish a standardized way to evaluate sound-absorbing performance. According to the draft, a silent floor is defined as a functional flooring material that reduces the noise generated by footsteps. It primarily uses wood-based materials, combined with special structures or soft woods to achieve better noise reduction.
The test method will simulate footstep noise using free-falling balls and measure two key factors: impact sound (the noise created when someone walks) and impact sound insulation (the noise transmitted to the space below). The lower the impact sound and the higher the insulation improvement value, the better the floor’s sound-absorbing performance.
Currently, dozens of flooring companies in China are entering the silent floor market, though production remains limited. With increasing interest, establishing and refining product standards is crucial to protect consumer interests and promote sustainable growth in the industry.
However, the proposed test method only covers the sound-absorbing performance of wooden floors and does not address other aspects of flooring quality. Further development of comprehensive standards for sound-absorbing flooring products is still needed to ensure long-term reliability and transparency in the market.
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