So, what exactly is acoustic soundproofing when it comes to flooring? To put it simply, it is a process of creating a sound proof flooring system to dampen or eliminate sound which reverberates to other rooms adjacent to or above / below a gym or fitness facility. This is a fairly common occurrence that we typically see in residential condo buildings where either a large separate gym is built in the lower levels of the building or from the actual condo gym itself.
Typically, the noise issue is only discovered after residents move in and complain of sounds that they can hear in their suite, usually from free weights that are dropped on the floor. Even though it may be a large high rise, the sound from this can travel up and down the concrete beams in the building to all the floors and cause a major issue for the residents. With the majority of new buildings that are constructed this potential issue is usually overlooked, which is why we always recommend to be proactive and perform a sound test on different types of flooring systems to identify any potential issues before the installation begins. If a problem is identified, we will put together and test one of our many custom wooden sub-floor and rubber systems until we find one that rectifies it.
Although it is always the best to consider this beforehand in order to save time, money, and resources, we have designed and installed numerous sound proof systems after the fact and are here to help you out if you are having any issues.
Below are just a few examples of some of the sound proof work GSP has recently completed:
Steve Nash Fitness World Gym, Richmond, BC:
Initial issue: This Steve Nash Gym recently opened on the second floor of a new residential tower and a few weeks afterwords, residents that moved in above it were complaining of noise from the gym that was entering their suites. The initial flooring installation only consisted of 3/8″ rubber flooring placed on the existing concrete base and after running tests and then consulting with an acoustic engineer it was found that the sound of dropping free weights could be heard on multiple floors up to the 12th level.
Resolution: GSP designed and installed 6000 SF of acoustic wooden sub-floor and multiple rubber layers which rectified the issue.
Status: Completed in January 2020 with no further complaints or issues.
Eldorado Mews condo gym, Vancouver, BC:
Initial Issue: Residents of this new condominium tower were complaining of sound that was emitting from the first floor gym and entering their suites.
Resolution: After conducting a sound test, the issue was found to be sound from the dropping of dumbbells and free weights onto a thin layer of rubber flooring that was reverberating up the columns of the building. GSP then designed and installed 400 SF of acoustic rubber tiles with a finished layer of rubber over top.
Status: Completed in October 2019 with no further complaints or issues.
Northwest Condo Tower fitness room, Vancouver, BC:
Initial Issue: Residents of this new condominium tower were complaining to the builder Onni Developments, of sound that was emitting from the first floor gym and entering their suites.
Resolution: After conducting a sound test, the issue was found to be sound from the dropping of dumbbells, free weights and thumping from the treadmill machine onto a thin layer of rubber flooring that was reverberating up the columns of the building. GSP then designed and installed 400 SF of sub-floor and acoustic rubber tiles.
Status: Completed in August 2019 with no further complaints or issues.
Orange Theory Fitness Gym, North Vancouver, BC:
Initial Issue: Residents in a new condominium tower built above the gym were complaining of sound that was emitting from it and entering their suites.
Resolution: After conducting a sound test, the issue was found to be sound from the dropping of dumbbells and free weights onto a thin layer of rubber flooring that was reverberating up the columns of the building. GSP then designed and installed 1000 SF of sub-floor and acoustic rubber tiles.
Status: Completed in May 2019 with no further complaints or issues.
Gold Medal Club condo fitness room, Athletes Village, Vancouver, BC:
Initial Issue: Residents of this new condominium tower were complaining of sound that was emitting from the first floor gym and entering their suites.
Resolution: After conducting a sound test, the issue was found to be sound from the dropping of dumbbells and free weights onto a thin layer of rubber flooring that was reverberating up the columns of the building. GSP then designed and installed 500 SF of sub-floor and acoustic rubber tiles.
Status: Completed in April 2019 with no further complaints or issues.
Anytime Fitness Gym, Vancouver, BC:
Initial Issue: Residents in a new condominium tower built above the gym were complaining of sound that was emitting from it and entering their suites.
Resolution: After conducting a sound test, the issue was found to be sound from the dropping of dumbbells and free weights onto a thin layer of rubber flooring that was reverberating up the columns of the building. GSP then designed and installed 500 SF of sub-floor and acoustic rubber tiles.
Status: Completed in January 2018 with no further complaints or issues.
