Achieving Superior Sound Attenuation with Quiet Qurl® and Platform

Project Details:

  • Location: LEED® Gold SOM development – Embarcadero, San Francisco
  • Project type/category: Acoustical & Flooring Systems
  • Product/system used in project: Quiet Qurl 025 RF MT, Quiet Qurl Reinforcement RWT, Platform L2
  • Architect: Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill
  • Developer: SOM Development

Products Used:

Quiet Qurl with gypsum

Quiet Qurl® 025 RF MT

Quiet Qurl® 025 RF MT is a noise control insulation mat designed to limit impact noise between floors. It is made with a reinforced scrim to give gypsum concrete additional strength.

Quiet Qurl RWT closeup

Quiet Qurl® Reinforcement RWT

Quiet Qurl® Reinforcement RWT is a crack suppression mat used to reinforce gypsum concrete and many types of concrete in thin applications.

Sound attenuation systems are widely used throughout flooring installations. However, leveling to specific elevations over the sound mat with a portland cement-based system is an approach typically reserved for gypsum-based cementitious underlayments over wood substrates.

It has been that way with good reason, given portland cement-based leveling systems are subject to shrinkage and must be anchored to the substrate (concrete/wood/existing flooring) rather than applied on a “floating system.” Keene Building Products turned to their sister company, FloorPrep.com by Dependable, for their Platform L2 self-leveling underlayment (SLU). Platform L2 utilizes the Portland based Synthecem® cement system. Synthecem® was developed to provide SLUs the greatest stability over compromised substrates while providing superior flow, rapid set times, and a strong durable surface exceeding the requirements of high-end flooring finishes. That outcome, combined with exceptional sound performance is exactly what was desired.

The 20-story, luxurious, waterfront, LEED® Gold SOM development located at One Steuart Lane (previously 75 Howard), San Francisco boasts a prestigious location to be enjoyed! This 335,000 ft2 SOM development is the last new condo building to be built on the water at the Embarcadero, San Francisco’s Iconic eastern bayside neighborhood.

“One Steuart Lane is a boutique collection of superlative condominium residences on the Bay. Located at the corner of Steuart Lane & the Embarcadero, this once-in-a-generation opportunity affords a waterfront lifestyle rarely available. Designed by world-renown architects Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill, designed as a timeless connection between the city & the water…” Corcoran Global Living

Keene Building Products worked with SOM Development to specify a very effective sound attenuation system (Quiet Qurl 025 RF MT) over the concrete substrate, followed by a leveling course of Platform L2, applied in some areas up to 3” deep over the floating sound mat. The system not only provides exceptional sound attenuation, it reinforces the underlayment installation and provides crack suppression.