Understanding the Importance of Material Properties in Selecting the Correct Resilient Support Type for Isolated Floating Floors

Designing high-performance floating floors requires more than achieving target values for sound insulation or vibration reduction. The choice of the resilient support material plays a decisive role in the acoustic, structural, and functional integrity of the system. Each project has unique requirements - from load capacity to exposure to environmental conditions - making a detailed understanding of the physical properties of the materials essential for optimal design and long-term performance.

Floating floors rely on resilient supports to isolate the structural slab from the floating layer, reducing impact noise, vibration transmission, and airborne sound propagation. To ensure both noise and vibration integrity, the selected elastomer must exhibit suitable natural frequency, damping, deflection behavior, 
r-factor, and long-term stability. These characteristics directly influence the system’s effectiveness and durability.

Beyond acoustic performance, properties such as creep, recovery, isotropy, overload capacity, water absorption, and oil resistance determine the material’s resilience under sustained or varying loads and environmental conditions. In short, understanding these parameters allows engineers to predict how a floor will behave not just at installation but throughout its entire service life, ensuring the solution structural and functional integrity. 

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the physical & mechanical properties and dynamic and static behavior of different resilient materials, CDM Stravitec conducted a detailed laboratory comparison between fiberglass, natural rubber, and neoprene rubber pads - three materials commonly used as supports for traditional floating floor systems.

All materials were tested under identical conditions, ensuring precise control and consistency in data collection. 
The tests covered a range of properties, including:

• Natural frequency – determining vibration isolation efficiency
• Deflection and r-factor – defining stiffness and elastic behavior
• Damping – assessing energy dissipation and control of resonance
• Creep and recovery – evaluating long-term deformation and memory
• Overload capacity – simulating high-load conditions
• Water and oil absorption – analyzing environmental durability

As a global solution provider, CDM Stravitec is committed to understanding the unique behavior of every material to recommend the most appropriate resilient support for each application. Whether the priority is maximum acoustic isolation, environmental resistance, long-term structural integrity or functional integrity, accurate selection ensures that each floating floor system performs reliably throughout its lifetime.

To access the full set of comparative results, technical graphs, and performance data, please fill in the form to receive the Technical Bulletin directly in your email inbox.