Impact vs Airborne Noise — What’s the Difference?
Explained by West Sussex Soundproofing Ltd, your local Sussex soundproofing experts.
If you live in Brighton, Hove, Worthing or anywhere in Sussex, you’ve probably experienced unwanted noise in your home — footsteps from the flat above, or voices travelling through the wall.
But did you know that not all noise is the same? Understanding the difference between impact and airborne noise is key to choosing the right soundproofing solution.
Let’s break it down 👇
1. What Is Airborne Noise?
Airborne noise is sound that travels through the air before passing through walls, floors, or ceilings.
Examples include:
- Voices or TV from next door
- Music or instruments
- Traffic or street noise
Vibrations in the air cause these sounds. When the sound hits a wall, it causes that wall to vibrate — transferring sound energy into the next room.
How to stop it:
To reduce airborne noise, we need to add mass and density to walls, ceilings, or floors. This prevents sound waves from vibrating the surface. People commonly use materials like acoustic plasterboard, sound membranes, and insulation panels.
2. What Is Impact Noise?
Impact noise happens when something physically hits or vibrates a building surface.
Common examples:
- Footsteps from upstairs neighbours
- Furniture being dragged
- Slamming doors or washing machines
This type of noise travels through the building structure — known as structure-borne sound.
How to stop it:
Decoupling and damping best reduce impact noise by isolating floors or ceilings so vibrations can’t pass through directly. Systems often include acoustic underlays, resilient bars, or floating floors.
3. Understanding Noise Frequencies
Every sound has a frequency, measured in Hertz (Hz).
- Low frequencies (20–250 Hz) — bass notes, deep thuds, or washing machines. These are the hardest to block because they cause large structural vibrations.
- Mid frequencies (250–2000 Hz) — voices, TV, general household noise. Easier to treat with soundproofing boards and insulation.
- High frequencies (2000 Hz and above) — sharp sounds like clinking glasses or whistles. These are absorbed more easily by soft materials.
That’s why a good soundproofing system must address all frequency ranges — not just one type of noise.
At West Sussex Soundproofing Ltd, our systems are carefully designed to reduce both low-frequency impact noise and high-frequency airborne sound, giving you the most balanced and effective acoustic result.
4. Why the Difference Matters in Brighton & Sussex
In Brighton, Hove, Worthing, and across Sussex, properties range from Victorian terraces to modern flats — and each behaves differently acoustically.
Older buildings often struggle with airborne noise through thin walls, while newer timber or apartment constructions suffer from impact noise between floors.
That’s why a professional survey is vital. A tailored approach ensures the right materials and methods are used for your specific problem.
5. The Professional Touch
With over 20 years of experience, West Sussex Soundproofing Ltd offers expert solutions for both noise types:
- Impact noise control – floating floors, acoustic decks, and resilient ceiling systems.
- Airborne noise reduction – acoustic wall linings, insulation, and high-density sound membranes.
Every system is designed around your property’s structure and the type of noise you’re experiencing — ensuring effective, lasting results.
Both impact and airborne noise can ruin the comfort of your home, but each requires a very different solution.
Understanding the type and frequency of noise you’re dealing with is the first step — and that’s where the experts come in.
If you’re struggling with noise in Brighton, Hove, Worthing, or anywhere in Sussex, contact West Sussex Soundproofing Ltd for friendly advice and a free consultation.
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