In 2018, ASTM introduced a new standard for measuring the floor impact sound of floor coverings (ASTM E3133). As part of Ecore’s commitment to acoustics and transparency, it had an independent lab test five surfaces to the new standard: concrete, VCT, LVT, Ecore Origins, and Ecore Vinyl Rx.

ASTM E3133 provides designers with a key acoustic metric for the healing environment. Testing to ASTM standards (like E3133) allows architects and designers to make an “apples-to-apples” comparison of the performance of products from various manufacturers.

Ecore’s testing was performed by Intertek, an independent IAS-certified lab in York, Pa. The results show that floor impact sound from generic VCT and LVT was 13 decibels (dB) higher than the floor impact sound from Ecore’s Vinyl Rx. Ecore also found that the floor impact sound levels for Ecore Commercial’s Origins and Vinyl Rx surfaces were below the floor impact sound levels for a bare concrete floor at all frequencies. Floor impact sound levels for Origins and Vinyl Rx were also below the VCT and LVT levels at almost all frequencies. At high frequencies, VCT is as much as 24dB louder than Vinyl Rx.

In general terms, the data shows that Origins and Forest Rx significantly reduce the “click” (the high frequency portion) of footsteps that is especially prominent with high-heels and hard-soled shoes on hard floor surfaces.

For more information, visit www.ecorecommercial.com.