A sound insulation underlay can help control impact noise before parquet flooring is installed. Footsteps, daily movement and vibration can travel through the floor assembly when the right acoustic layer has not been planned. For wood flooring projects, selecting the right underlay helps improve walking comfort while keeping the floor build-up under control.
Why impact sound matters before installing parquet flooring
Impact noise comes from direct contact with the floor such as footsteps or moving furniture. Without the right flooring underlayment, this noise can pass through the subfloor and affect comfort in the rooms below or nearby. Acoustic performance should therefore be planned as part of the flooring system.
For wood flooring, the underlay needs to support impact sound reduction while keeping the installation stable. RENO U718 SILENTCORK is designed for this stage of the flooring build-up. It is a cork and polyurethane acoustic floor underlayment used prior to textile and wooden floor installation, with impact sound improvement up to 18 dB 1 and a low 3 mm thickness.
| 1 18 dB |
|---|
| Indicates the maximum impact sound improvement stated in the TDS. It means RENO U718 SILENTCORK can improve impact sound reduction by up to 18 dB when used prior to textile, resilient or wooden floor installation. |
What a sound insulation underlay does in the flooring build-up
A sound insulation underlay sits between the prepared substrate and the final floor covering. Its role is to help reduce impact noise before the floor is in use, while supporting a more comfortable surface underfoot. In parquet flooring projects, this layer is part of the system that helps manage acoustic performance before the wood finish is installed.
Supporting impact insulation before the final floor covering
RENO U718 SILENTCORK is used prior to textile and wooden floor installation. For parquet and wood flooring, it forms an intermediate layer between the substrate and the floor covering, so its placement needs to be considered before the bonding sequence begins.
This type of floor underlayment is especially relevant when the project needs acoustic performance while still allowing the final flooring to be installed with suitable adhesives. It helps create a more controlled base for the floor covering, provided the substrate is properly prepared and the installation method follows the required application conditions.
Managing floor height and walking comfort
Floor height can be a constraint in renovation work where doors, thresholds or adjoining finishes are already in place. RENO U718 SILENTCORK has a low thickness of 3 mm, which helps improve impact sound reduction while keeping the floor build-up limited.
The underlay is supplied as a 20 m² underlayment roll. This format suits flooring areas that require a continuous acoustic layer before installation. The product also improves walking comfort in residential and commercial spaces where parquet flooring is used every day.
Where a floor underlayment can be used
A floor underlayment should be selected according to the project type, floor covering and substrate. In renovation work, it can help improve acoustic comfort while the existing build-up remains controlled. In new projects, it allows the acoustic layer to be planned before the final floor finish is chosen and bonded.
Suitable project types and floor coverings
For parquet and other wood flooring projects, the underlay must fit the installation method. RENO U718 SILENTCORK is suitable for wood flooring with tongue and groove, with the appropriate adhesive system used at each stage.
New-build and renovation projects can have different constraints. In residential areas, walking comfort and impact noise are often central. In commercial areas, the floor system also needs to suit regular use. RENO U718 SILENTCORK fits these conditions because it is designed prior to wooden floor installation.
Compatible substrates before installation
A sound insulation underlay may be used over different floor bases, as long as the surface can provide proper adhesion. Suitable substrates include concrete, calcium sulphate or cement based subfloors, mastic asphalt screeds, ceramic tiles, terrazzo, natural stone and wooden substrates.
The quality of the bonded system depends on proper substrate preparation, suitable materials, application conditions and equipment. A concrete base, an existing tile surface or a wooden substrate will not behave in the same way under daily use. For that reason, compatibility must be checked before the underlay is bonded, so the flooring underlayment can support impact sound reduction as part of the full floor build-up.
Preparing the substrate before bonding the underlay
Before any floor underlayment is installed, the surface must be sound, dry and free from dirt, oil, grease or any material that could reduce bond strength.
Unstable or adhesion-reducing layers should be removed before application. This includes loose adhesive residues, weak compounds, paint residues and release agents.
Wooden substrates need to be firm and screwed down. Dense, smooth or metallic substrates must be degreased and ground before the underlay is bonded. If the subfloor needs correction, a suitable primer and levelling compound can be used before the acoustic layer is installed. The primer and levelling compound must be fully dry before the next stage begins.
Planning the underlay before parquet bonding
For parquet floor installation, the acoustic layer must be installed before the wood flooring is bonded. The adhesive used for the underlay also affects the next stage of the job. Depending on the adhesive selected, parquet installation can take place after approximately 24 to 48 hours.
This waiting time helps protect the quality of the bonded system. The acoustic floor underlayment should be secure before the parquet is placed above it. For tongue-and-groove wood flooring, the final covering is then installed with a suitable parquet adhesive. This creates a floor build-up where the substrate, underlay and wood flooring each have a clear role.
Installation direction and seams
The underlay should be laid perpendicular to the installation direction of the hardwood flooring. Joints should be offset by at least 20 cm, so the seams of the underlay do not align too closely across the floor area. The material can be cut to size with a sharp knife.
During bonding, the underlay is folded back to the centre and the adhesive is applied evenly to the substrate with the recommended spatula. The underlay is then placed into the fresh adhesive bed. Creases should be avoided, and the surface should be rubbed or rolled firmly, with care taken at head joints and seams. A second rubdown after around 20 minutes helps secure full bonding before the next stage of the parquet floor installation.
Jobsite conditions that affect acoustic flooring installation
Site conditions need to remain stable while the acoustic flooring layer is installed and dries. For RENO U718 SILENTCORK, the floor and air temperature must be maintained between +15°C and +27°C throughout application and drying. This helps the bonded system develop under controlled conditions.
Warm water underfloor heating systems require specific timing. The system must be switched off for 48 hours before application, during application and for at least 48 hours after application. After this period, the temperature should be increased gradually until the system reaches its normal operating level.
These checks help protect adhesion between the substrate, the sound insulation underlay and the final floor covering. They also support a more consistent installation before the parquet floor is put into service.
Build acoustic comfort into the flooring system
A quieter parquet floor depends on choices made before the wood flooring is installed. The underlay, substrate preparation, adhesive sequence and site conditions all affect the final result. Planning these elements at the same stage helps impact sound reduction become a built-in part of the floor system.
A low-thickness sound insulation underlay can help improve comfort while the floor build-up stays practical for new-build and renovation projects.
For more technical flooring solutions and related product information, visit Bostik Academy.
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