Which baseboards for floating screed?

by Jorik van der Heide 28 maart 2024 3 minute read

Welk plinten bij zwevende dekvloer? - Solza.nl

Laying a floor is more than just placing the material. Especially with floating screeds, it is essential to choose the right finishing details to guarantee sound reduction, as, for example, the Owners' Association (VVE) requires. One of the most important aspects here is the choice of skirting boards. In this article, we discuss why skirting boards should not be in direct contact with the floor in floating screeds and which special skirting boards with a recess at the bottom are needed for this purpose.

Floating installation and sound reduction

Floating screeds are screeds where the floor is not directly attached to the walls. This is done to reduce any vibrations to floors below the relevant room. This technique is often used to prevent impact sound, which can occur when a floor is placed tightly against the walls. The floating installation creates a space between the floor and the walls, which promotes sound damping.

We create this space between the floor and the wall with adhesive PVC by placing a special edge strip. This edge strip ensures that the levelling compound does not flow against the wall and make direct contact.

Do not place skirting boards directly on the floor

A common mistake when finishing floating screeds is placing skirting boards directly on the floor. While this may seem preferable at first glance, it can disrupt the floating structure of the floor. Therefore, it is important to choose skirting boards that are not placed directly on the floor.

This image shows the impact sound-reducing strip that should be mounted in the recess of the skirting board.

The strip goes under the skirting board in the special recess.

Special skirting boards with a recess

To prevent skirting boards from being placed directly on the floor, special skirting boards with a recess at the bottom have been designed. This recess ensures that the skirting boards can be placed neatly along the wall without disturbing the floating screed. In addition, this recess provides space for an impact-reducing strip (see photo above), further reducing sound transmission. These impact sound-reducing strips are available in various colours to match the colour of the skirting board you have chosen. See here:

Impact sound-reducing strip white 25 mtr

This image shows how the sound-reducing strip prevents contact between the floor and the skirting board.

Which skirting board will you choose?

When choosing skirting boards for floating screeds, it is important to consider sound reduction and correct installation. By opting for special skirting boards with a recess at the bottom, you can ensure that your floor is not only beautifully finished but also performs optimally in terms of sound reduction. This way, you can enjoy a quiet and comfortable living environment, without compromising on style and design.

Jorik van der Heide

wrote this article for Solza