SilentCork3 Acoustic Underlay for LVT & Laminate | 3mm | 15m × 1m
SilentCork3 is a 3mm acoustic underlay manufactured from a blend of recycled cork granules and recycled rubber, designed to reduce impact sound transmission through floors finished with LVT, laminate, or wood. Cork is a naturally dense, resilient material — its cellular structure compresses under load and recovers, absorbing the energy of footfall and impact before it can travel through the floor structure. At 600kg/m³ density, SilentCork3 provides meaningful mass and compliance in a thin profile that does not raise floor heights or conflict with door clearances.
Each roll covers 15m² at 3mm nominal thickness and is suitable for bonded and loose-laid LVT, laminate, and wood floor finishes. The product is compatible with underfloor heating systems and is designed to be adhered to concrete and screed subfloors using a suitable contact adhesive. Tested acoustic results vary by floor finish: 17dB reduction with click LVT, 18dB with glue-down LVT, 20dB with sheet vinyl, and 33dB with carpet tiles.
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Applications
- Residential floors — LVT and laminate — ensure the subfloor is level, clean, and free from dust, debris, and loose material before installation. Fill any cracks or voids with AC95 Acoustic Sealant and allow a 24-hour acclimatisation period at 18–25°C. Dry lay and cut with a minimum 50mm allowance for relaxation, leaving a 3mm expansion gap at the perimeter. Bond to concrete or screed subfloors using Mapei Ultrabond ECO VS90 Plus adhesive, then install the finish floor covering per the manufacturer’s guidelines. SilentCork3 is particularly suited to apartments and upper-floor rooms where impact noise from footfall is the primary concern.
- Commercial floors — offices and retail — where foot traffic is consistent and impact noise must be controlled between occupied floors, SilentCork3 provides a practical underlay solution that adds no meaningful build-up. Compatible with glue-down LVT installations where a bonded system is required for heavy use environments.
- Underfloor heating systems — SilentCork3 is compatible with underfloor heating. Its thermal conductivity of 0.075 W/(mK) and thermal resistance of 0.025 m²K/W are low enough to allow heat transfer through the underlay without significant loss. Confirm compatibility with the UFH system manufacturer before specifying.
Product Benefits
- 3mm profile — no increase in floor height. At 3mm nominal thickness, SilentCork3 adds negligible build-up and does not require adjustment to door frames, thresholds, or skirting in most installations. This makes it a practical choice for renovation projects where floor height is constrained.
- Up to 33dB impact sound reduction. Tested performance varies by floor finish — 17dB with click LVT, 18dB with glue-down LVT, 20dB with sheet vinyl, and 33dB with carpet tiles. Impact sound reduction is measured as the reduction in transmitted noise level, with each 10dB representing an approximate halving of perceived loudness.
- 600kg/m³ density with >85% indentation recovery. The high density of the cork blend provides resistance to permanent compression under point loads such as furniture legs and heavy equipment. Recovery above 85% ensures the underlay maintains its acoustic properties over the life of the floor installation.
- Flexible and cuttable on site. SilentCork3 can be cut with a sharp knife or scissors and shaped to fit around obstacles, penetrations, and irregular surfaces. No specialist tools are required.
- Manufactured from recycled materials. SilentCork3 is produced from recycled cork granules and recycled rubber, reducing the use of virgin raw materials. Tensile strength of 780 kPa and no disintegration in boiling water confirm the material’s durability in variable temperature and humidity conditions.
Installation
Butt joins between sheets tightly and tape with joining tape to maintain continuity — any gaps in the underlay reduce overall performance. Ensure the subfloor is level, clean, and free from dust and debris before laying. Fill any cracks or voids with AC95 Acoustic Sealant and allow a 24-hour acclimatisation period at 18–25°C. Dry lay and cut with a minimum 50mm allowance for relaxation, leaving a 3mm expansion gap at the perimeter. Install the finish floor covering per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
My downstairs neighbour complains about footsteps — will SilentCork3 solve it?
SilentCork3 will meaningfully reduce impact noise transmission — 17–18dB with LVT finishes, up to 33dB with carpet tiles. Whether that is sufficient depends on the existing floor construction, the sensitivity of the neighbour, and the finish floor chosen. In a concrete floor with no existing underlay, the improvement will be significant. In a timber joist floor where structure-borne vibration is also a factor, additional measures such as Green Glue Noiseproofing Joist Tape and a heavier acoustic build-up may be needed for a complete solution.
My subfloor has minor cracks and uneven areas — do I need to address these first?
Yes. The subfloor must be level, clean, and structurally sound before installation. Surface irregularities telegraph through the underlay into the floor covering above, causing unevenness and instability in the finished floor. Fill cracks and voids with AC95 Acoustic Sealant and allow to cure fully before laying SilentCork3.
What is the difference between SilentCork3 and standard cork underlay?
SilentCork3 is a blended recycled cork and rubber product manufactured to acoustic specifications, at 600kg/m³ density with tested acoustic performance data. Standard cork underlay is lower in density and not produced to acoustic specifications — it usually does not carry tested impact reduction figures. The performance difference in a floor assembly is significant.
Can it be used under real wood or solid hardwood flooring?
SilentCork3 is specified for LVT, laminate, and wood floor finishes. Confirm compatibility with your hardwood flooring manufacturer before installation — some solid wood floor systems have specific underlay requirements or restrictions that must be observed to maintain the floor warranty.
Why is delivery charged on this product?
Due to the weight of this product, orders are shipped via a specialist freight company rather than standard parcel delivery. Delivery is still on a next-day service. For larger quantities, orders may be dispatched on a pallet. If you would prefer to collect, this option is available at the payment stage — our facility is located in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
Technical Details
| Product Name | SilentCork3 |
| Product Size | 15m × 1m |
| Product Thickness | 3mm |
| Area Covered Per Roll | 15m² |
| Density | 600kg/m³ |
| Compression | 15% |
| Recovery | >85% |
| Tensile Strength | 780 kPa |
| Boiling Water | No disintegration |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.075 W/(mK) |
| Thermal Resistance | 0.025 m²K/W |
| Acoustical Results | dB Reduction |
| Click LVT | 17dB |
| Sheet Vinyl | 20dB |
| Carpet Tiles | 33dB |
| Glue Down LVT | 18dB |