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Acoustic Floor Tiles: Understanding Floor Sound Ratings

Not sure how acoustic floor ratings work? This guide breaks down impact sound reduction in plain terms and helps you choose the right acoustic floor tiles, from vinyl to linoleum, for a quieter space.

Australian standards and understand acoustic ratings for flooring

Acoustic Flooring: NCC and AAAC Star Ratings Explained

The NCC sets a mandatory minimum of 62 dB (L'nT,w) for impact sound through floors in new apartments, hotels and aged care (Class 2, 3 and 9c).

Some projects aim higher, such as AAAC 5 Star (<45 dB L’nT,w). Whether you need acoustic flooring depends on your slab and ceiling, so check the tested baseline first.



Get the guide with on-site test results ➜

Free PDF · Results by slab thickness and ceiling type

Acoustic Flooring guide brochure for Australian standard

MANDATORY MINIMUM

National Construction Code (NCC)

Applies to new Class 2, 3 and 9c buildings: apartments, boarding and transient accommodation, and aged care.


62 dB or less

Impact sound (L'nT,w), measured on site through the finished floor and ceiling.

VOLUNTARY

AAAC star rating

Used for higher-standard comfort targets, often for refurbishment projects.

AAAC Star RatingL'nT,w (lower is quieter)
2 star≤65 dB
3 star≤55 dB
4 star≤50 dB
5 star≤45 dB
6 star≤40 dB

The NCC minimum of 62 dB sits at 2 Star.

For further details, refer to the AAAC Star Rating system.

Acoustic flooring to reduce impact noise from through floor below

How to choose acoustic flooring in three steps


  1. Set your goal: the NCC minimum (L'nT,w 62 dB or less) or an AAAC star rating, such as 5 Star (≤45 dB).

  2. Identify your construction, Note the concrete slab thickness and the ceiling system below

  3. Check the in-situ tested result, Find the closest tested construction. Check its baseline without flooring, then select your floor or underlay only if needed.

Results from on-site tests and are indicative only. Site conditions vary, so confirm with an acoustic consultant.

Example on-site test result

ConstructionWithout flooringWith Forbo floorAAAC rating
200 mm concrete slab + 100 mm suspended ceilingL’nT,w of 62 dBWith Allura Flex FL1 = 44 dB5 Stars


Get all on-site test results + guide ➜

Acoustic flooring options

Forbo acoustic vinyl and linoleum floors reduce impact sound transmission by 13-19 dB. Built-in acoustic layer: no separate underlay is needed to achieve the rated reduction.

Acoustic floor tiles

Looking specifically for acoustic floor tiles?

Our Allura Flex FL5 delivers 13 dB of impact sound reduction in a luxury vinyl tile format—ideal when tile-based installation or design flexibility is preferred over sheet flooring.

View our Acoustic vinyl tiles

Allura Flex Acoustic Vinyl Tiles for Apartments - Wood Vinyl Plank Flooring

The different types of sound

Sound can take one of two forms: airborne noise or impact noise.

Impact: The primary concern for flooring in multi-level buildings is impact sound transmission—the sound created when objects (like footsteps or dropped items) hit the floor and travel through the structure.

Airborne: This is where the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating applies: The NRC values range from 0 to 1, where 0 indicates no sound absorption and 1 indicates complete sound absorption. Resilient flooring can contribute to sound absorption but tend to offer less.

Types of sound: Impact and airborne

Still have a question?

Our team is happy to help whether it's a technical query or a project specification

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the acoustic requirement for flooring in Australia?
The National Construction Code (NCC) requires impact sound transmission of no more than 62 dB (LnT,w) between sole-occupancy units in new multi-level residential buildings. This is the minimum acoustic requirement for compliance.

Q: What is a good acoustic rating for flooring?
The AAAC Star Rating system scores acoustic comfort from 1 to 6 stars. 3 stars meet basic compliance; 5 Stars or higher is considered good to excellent acoustic performance for apartments and multi-residential buildings.

Q: What's the difference between acoustic vinyl and acoustic underlay?
Acoustic vinyl flooring (like Sarlon or Modul'up) has sound reduction built into the sheet or tile itself. Acoustic underlay (like Corkment) is installed beneath a separate floor covering - useful when the finished flooring itself doesn't provide sufficient impact sound reduction alone.

Q: What is the difference between ΔLw and L’nT,w?
ΔLw is a lab rating of how much a floor covering reduces impact sound. L’nT,w is measured on site and reflects the building specification, concrete slab thickness, and floor and ceiling system. NCC and AAAC targets use the on-site measure, so ΔLw alone doesn’t confirm compliance.



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Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only. Acoustic performance can vary depending on site conditions and construction methods. Always refer to the National Construction Code (NCC), AAAC guidelines, and consult with a qualified acoustic engineer or consultant to ensure compliance with project-specific requirements.