Sound can have adverse effects on the human body such as sleeping disorders, stress and headaches. Acoustic floors have an important contribution when it comes to reducing noise in buildings. Forbo Flooring is a specialist in acoustic floors with more than 30 years of experience.
Our acoustic linoleum floors create a healthy environment by combining sustainability with excellent sound reduction properties. We offer 3 acoustic linoleum solutions:
Marmoleum Acoustic
Forbo Marmoleum Acoustic reduces impact sound by 14dB (ISO 717-2). It is a twinlayer linoleum built up from 2 mm Marmoleum and a 2 mm Corkment backing. Marmoleum Acoustic is available in 6 colors from the Marmoleum Marbled collection.
Read more about Marmoleum Acoustic
Marmoleum Decibel
Marmoleum Decibel provides an impact sound reduction of 18dB. It is 2.5 mm Marmoleum laminated onto a 1 mm layer of polyolefine foam. Marmoleum Decibel is available in 27 colors from the Marmoleum Marbled and Marmoleum Solid collection.
Read more about Marmoleum Decibel
Corkment Underlay
A Corkment underlay can be used in combination with regular Marmoleum to achieve an impact sound reduction of at least 14dB (according ISO 717-2). Read more about Corkment
Forbo also offers acoustic floor coverings in other product categories, like acoustic vinyl and LVT. Go to the Acoustic Flooring page to explore your options.
For schools, proper acoustic performance creates a quiet atmosphere (even if children are running in the corridors) to help children learn. In offices, it reduces stress and aggressiveness. And for hospitals and elderly homes, more peaceful environments help people recover – even if the medical staff is active and noisy.
The best way to reduce sound is at the source. That’s why acoustic floors are key when it comes to reducing noise in buildings.
Impact sound reduction, how does it work?
Sound is generated by almost all everyday activity. Impact sound is generated by traffic contacting the floor surface. The floor is therefore also the main area where acoustic performance can be influenced.
Impact sound made on the floor in 1 room is transmitted through the floor into rooms below. To measure the impact sound reduction achieved by a floor covering, impact noise is generated with a hammer machine directly onto a concrete floor slab in an emission room and the sound level (S1) is recorded in the reception room below.
The floor covering is then laid onto the concrete slab, and the same impact noise is made on the floor covering, and the new sound level (S2) is recorded. The impact sound reduction (EN ISO 717-2) is the difference, measured in decibels, between the 2 sound levels recorded.
The impact sound reduction of Forbo's acoustic project vinyl and linoleum floors varies from 14 to 19 dB.
97% natural raw materials
72% rapidly renewable
43% recycled content
Created from natural, renewable materials, Marmoleum flooring is the most sustainable resilient flooring available. It contains no phthalates, no plasticisers and no mineral oil.
The key raw materials used in the Marmoleum production include:
● linseed oil, which comes from the flax plant seeds
● wood flour from controlled forests and
● jute, the natural backing onto which the linoleum is calandered.
Marmoleum flooring has received many worldwide quality marks and certifications for being environmental friendly. We are proud that environmental experts confirm our statement. Read more about our Eco labels .
Climate positive product range
Because of its unique properties, its natural ingredients and its modern manufacturing process, Marmoleum is a climate positive product range, measured from cradle to gate. Find out more about the sustainable character of Marmoleum on our climate positive section.
Topshield pro is Forbo Floorings' high performance UV-finish which is applied to all Marmoleum floor coverings. Topshield pro prevents staining, scuffing and scratching for lasting appearance retention and provides for easy cleaning and maintenance at lower intervals. Read more about our Marmoleum surface finish in the Topshield pro section.
Marmoleum is built to last, you can find even more information about the performance of our Marmoleum floors on our Topshield pro page.
Download here the
Marmoleum sheet installation guidance note
Marmoleum Acoustic cleaning & maintenance instructions
Marmoleum Decibel cleaning & maintenance instructions
Or watch our cleaning & maintenance videos:
Initial cleaning Marmoleum
Regular cleaning Marmoleum
Periodic maintenance Marmoleum
While Marmoleum with Topshield pro is designed to keep its appearance, it’s important to follow some simple guidelines that will help keep the beauty of your floor for longer.
Entrance systems
Good entrance matting is essential if you want to protect your floor. It will ensure that the biggest threats to the appearance of your floor are dealt with before they even affect it.
Furniture protection
Using the right furniture leg protection for tables and chairs will safeguard your floor at all times. Applying protection to the base of your furniture will help keep the new appearance of your floor for longer.
Cleaning and maintenance
When you take care of your floor and clean it when necessary, it will stay beautiful for longer without the need of a wax or polymer. Proper cleaning & maintenance will save time and money.
For more information about our acoustic linoleum collections, please contact your local Forbo office.
BIM models of our Marmoleum Decibel floors can be downloaded from the BIMobject website: Marmoleum Decibel BIM models
