The "Residential Project Specification" GB55038-2025 has been released. Why must builders use sound insulation pads?

Starting from May 1, 2025, the "Residential Project Specification" GB55038-2025 will be officially implemented. This specification is like a loud clarion call, bringing about a brand-new change in the field of residential construction, especially in terms of putting forward more stringent requirements for the sound insulation performance of residential buildings.

In the past, sound insulation in residential buildings was often overlooked by some builders, leading to residents suffering from noise pollution after moving in. Now, new regulations explicitly stipulate that the sound insulation performance of walls and floors between bedrooms, living rooms, and adjacent rooms must meet stringent standards. For example, the sum of the weighted normalized sound pressure level difference and the pink noise spectral correction (DnT,w + C) between rooms on either side of the bedroom partition wall and floor should not be less than 50 dB; for other partition walls and floors, this value should not be less than 48 dB; and the weighted normalized impact sound pressure level of bedroom and living room floors should not exceed 65 dB. These stricter standards mean that builders must use more effective sound insulation materials to improve sound insulation during residential construction.

Among numerous measures to improve sound insulation performance, sound insulation mats have become an indispensable tool for builders. The reason sound insulation mats can play such a crucial role is based on their unique working principle. They effectively block the propagation path of sound, effectively attenuating both airborne noise and impact noise. When people walk or move furniture upstairs, creating impact noise, sound insulation mats absorb and reduce this vibrational energy, preventing sound from being directly transmitted to downstairs residents' homes through the floor slab. Similarly, for airborne noise, such as the sound of a neighbor's television or conversation, sound insulation mats can also reduce the intensity of its transmission through walls or floors.

From practical application cases, many residential projects using sound insulation mats have achieved significant results. For example, a high-end residential community strictly adhered to the new regulations during construction, using professional sound insulation mat products. Tested by an authoritative testing agency, all sound insulation indicators of the community's residences far exceeded the regulations. Residents reported a very quiet and comfortable living environment after moving in, effectively improving their quality of life. Among the many sound insulation mat products, different types have their own characteristics and advantages. Rubber-based sound insulation mats, for example, have good elasticity and damping properties, effectively absorbing vibration energy, and are highly durable and resistant to aging. Foam-based sound insulation mats, on the other hand, are lightweight and easy to install, making them widely used in building structures with strict weight requirements. When selecting sound insulation mat products, builders need to consider multiple factors. First, the product's sound insulation performance must meet the requirements of the new regulations. Second, the product's durability must be considered, as residential buildings are used for a long time, and the sound insulation mats need to maintain stable performance over a considerable period. Furthermore, the price of the product is also an important factor; builders need to choose cost-effective products while ensuring quality to control construction costs. At the same time, the environmental performance of the product should not be ignored. It is necessary to ensure that the sound insulation pads used will not pollute the indoor environment and protect the health of residents.

The implementation of the "Residential Building Construction Standard" GB55038-2025 has provided direction for builders. Using sound insulation pads to improve the sound insulation performance of residential buildings is not only a necessary means to meet the standard requirements, but also an important measure to improve housing quality and create a comfortable living environment. Builders should take proactive steps to select suitable sound insulation pad products to create quiet living spaces for residents and promote the development of the residential construction industry towards higher quality.