QuietBoard underlayment improves your floor five ways:
Quiets impact sound and floor-to-ceiling noise
Evens out/levels subfloors
Protects against moisture intrusion reducing mold and mildew
Increases R-value to help keep floors warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer
Adds comfort underfoot by providing extra cushion
MP Global's QuietBoard is a premium acoustical and insulating fiberboard with an integrated moisture barrier. QuietBoard is better than cork or wood fiber, less expensive than rubber or plywood, and 100% recycled. QuietBoard is completely safe for everyone. It contains no added urea formaldehyde and emits no VOCs or other hazardous air pollutants. It is GreenGuard Gold certified.
QuietBoard is designed for use underneath floating floors such as hardwood, bamboo, cork, Marmoleum click, laminate, carpet, carpet tile, vinyl planks and tiles. It may not be used beneath ceramic or porcelain tile. While it can be used under carpet and carpet tile, it is not as cushy as a normal carpet pad.
The QuietBoard panels are lightweight, 1/4" thick (6mm) x 2' x 3', easy to work with, and easy to cut with a utility knife. No glue is needed. QuietBoard underlayment is suitable for use over any concrete or wood subfloors, including beneath radiant heat systems (see instructions).
NOTE Seam Tape: Moisture proof seam tape is required, such as Gorilla, Duct, Gaffers, or Tyvek tape.
Compared to plywood underlayment, QuietBoard is much quieter and softer on your feet—and it contains added moisture protection and thermal reflective properties also. QuietBoard is also much safer because it contains no formaldehyde or VOCs. Finally, it is much lighter and easier to work with and cut.
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QuietBoard, as its name suggests, drastically reduces noise from people walking and talking, playing music, and cooking as well as other household noises such as HVAC motors and fans, appliance noises, and pet sounds. It easily meets or exceeds most HOA/Condo association standards. It is ideal for multi-family housing such as apartments or condos or kids playing loud music in the basement. See the Sound Test pdf on the side margin under Downloads.
In addition to reducing ambient noise, QuietBoard helps to level out uneven subfloors and makes it easier to increase the height of your subfloor if needed. Each panel is made with 100% recycled materials compressed under heat and pressure to create a dense, firm, yet resilient pad that adds comfort. QuietBoard has been clinically proven (per a 2022 University of Nebraska study) to relieve joint stress while making your floor more comfortable underfoot. Due to its high compression strength (496 psi) and structural integrity, it passes castor chair testing of 25,000 cycles and provides a solid cushion for a lifetime of durability.
QuietBoard maintains its shape without breaking, crumbling, bending or cracking. It's completely breathable and will not swell or become spongy when exposed to moisture. In fact, it holds up to 5 times its weight in moisture. Due to its porosity, moist air from your concrete floor is allowed to breathe with a capillary effect thereby minimizing the conditions of mold and mildew growth.
QuietBoard has a high R-Value (.73 hr-ft2 -degF/BTU) which helps to keep your floor warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It provides extra thermal insulation to keep your floor warmer, especially over cold concrete floors in basements or plywood subfloors over crawl spaces. The foil film on the surface provides a radiant heat barrier for radiant heated subfloors. This will reflect the infrared heat upwards which can reduce running times and energy costs.
NOTE 2 Radiant Heated Subfloors: While it may be used BENEATH radiant heat tubes or wires, it is not for use ABOVE radiant heat tubes or wires.
NOTE 3 Concrete subfloors: Vapor emission readings above 6 lbs. per 1,000 square feet in 24 hours will require additional protections such as a concrete sealant or a layer of polyethylene sheeting such as our Moisture Block found on this website. A moisture meter or Calcium Chloride test kit will help you determine the moisture content of the subfloor.
Why We Like It
QuietBoard is a unique underlayment that is better than our QuietWalk Plus, cork, foam, or any plywood underlayment. This eco-friendly fiberboard is a perfect floor leveler with the extra benefits of sound deadening, thermal insulation, vapor barrier, and joint reliever. And, it's completely safe with no emissions of nasty chemicals. This is a DIY product that requires moisture-resistant tape over the seams such as Gorilla tape.
Features & benefits
Sound barrier — reduces ambient noise and floor-to-ceiling sound transmission; outperforms foam, cork, and rubber in most Sound Transmission Loss Tests F- up to IIC 72, up to STC 64, Delta IIC: 25
Safe — formaldehyde-free; zero VOC, odor-free, zero flame retardants, zero BPA, zero Phthalates; provides healthy indoor air quality for everyone, even the chemically sensitive; learn how to test a non-toxic product for tolerance
Adds R-value — insulates the floor with an added R-value of .73. Foil surface film provides a radiant heat barrier beneath electric radiant heated floors. While it may be used beneath radiant heat, it is not for use above a radiant heat source.
Resilient but firm — clinically proven to relieve joint stress yet handles heavy impact (496psi), won't swell, bend, crack, or crumble.
Built-in vapor barrier — foil surface helps prevent water damage, porous structure is breathable allowing moisture from below to evaporate
Recycled content — made from 100% post-industrial recycled fibers
Versatile — can be used with floating, or nail-down flooring underneath hardwood, bamboo, cork, Marmoleum click, laminate, vinyl, carpet, and carpet tile
Lifetime Limited Warranty — for as long as the flooring above it
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