What is Noise & Vibration Transfer?

Noise and vibration transfer

“Noise and vibration transfer” refers to how sound and physical vibrations travel through a

building’s structure from one area to another. There are two main types:

1. Airborne noise

Sound that travels through the air — such as voices, TV, music, traffic, a dog barking.

It hits a wall, floor, or ceiling, makes that surface vibrate slightly, and the vibration

becomes sound again on the other side.

2. Structure-borne noise (vibration transfer)

Vibrations that move through solid materials — for example, footsteps on a floor,

washing machines, or sound speakers.

The vibration travels through floors, and walls, causing them to resonate and

amplify, spreading sound into nearby spaces.

In short:

• Airborne = through the air

• Structure-borne = through the building itself

And the problem is — once vibrations get into a structure, they can travel long

distances and emerge somewhere unexpected (called flanking transmission).

These forms of noise transfer can have a negative impact on your home and work life.

Why Controlling It Matters

If not controlled, vibration transfer causes:

• Noise between flats, rooms, or offices.

• Low-frequency rumble from footsteps or machinery.

• Disturbance in studios, or home offices.

• Reduced privacy and comfort.

So, the goal is to block, absorb, or isolate vibrations before they travel.

How Companies Like Pinnacle Sound Handle It

Pinnacle Sound are specialists in acoustic and vibration control.

They don’t just add insulation — they design the entire system to stop vibrations moving

through the structure.

Several reasons set Pinnacle Sound apart:

1. Specialist focus – They only do sound-proofing and acoustic design, not general

building work. That means they understand vibration paths, material behaviour, and

acoustic testing.

2. Tailored systems – They don’t sell “one-size-fits-all” kits. They survey your space and

build a system to match your wall types, structure, and sound issues.

3. Experienced installation – Acoustic performance depends hugely on installation

detail (tiny gaps or contact points can ruin results). Their team is trained to install

isolation systems correctly.

4. Use of professional materials – They only use fully tested and A-class products.

5. Comprehensive approach – They address both noise and vibration, not just one.

6. Measured results & feedback – They often provide before-and-after testing or

references showing how many decibels of improvement their systems achieve.