U-Boat

Aside from being the name given to German submarines in WW-I and WW-II, U-Boats are a product manufactured and sold by Auralex corporation that are designed to provide acoustic isolation in room construction. They are configured as a U-shaped channel made out of a rubber compound. Framing materials rest in the channel, which sits on a solid surface (usually a concrete slab), thereby helping to decouple it and provide isolation from vibrations and low frequency acoustic energy from adjoining spaces. Combined with eliminating contact with other surfaces, a good amount of acoustic energy transfer from room to room can be prevented. When a room or space is constructed in this way, it is said to be “floated” or “floating”, meaning there is no (or minimal) contact with the adjoining spaces.