Forum Topic

Floor soundproofing in flat.

Hello does anyone have any experience of soundproofing a floor in a flat? Any info on vendors and work, advice, welcomed.

Basil Finnis ● 2158d14 Comments

In 2011 I used a company called Soundproofingrus.  They did a really thorough and professional job.

Alastair Banton ● 2158d

Get everyone to change into slippers when they arrive...

Rob Reynolds ● 2158d

Thank you Alastair. Much appreciated.

Basil Finnis ● 2157d

I have sent you a PM

Janice White ● 2157d

I have sent you a PM

Janice White ● 2157d

Soundproofing a flat depends on several things.Are you talking about a timber suspended floor or a concrete on? Either way, effective soundproofing, post construction, is extremely difficult to achieve. Advice concerning multistory building design always recommends that kitchens are not sited above bedrooms. I have some experience on this matter. Please PM me  if you need further information

Jeffrey Cope ● 2157d

I agree with Jeffrey. Retro-fitting a solution will always be difficult. If concrete floors are involved my strictly layman's advice would forget it.

Thomas Samuel hearn ● 2157d

You won’t be able to sound proof it as such, but there’s a lot can be done to radically improve noise transmission. Even basic things like making sure floorboards are well maintained, sealing gaps, and adding acoustic floor coverings will help a lot. You also need to look at air born noise or impact from noisy feet on floorboards etc to see what needs tackling.

Russell Pearson ● 2157d

Some leases actually state that carpets should be fitted - for obvious reasons. Laminate is often used instead and it is noisy if you are underneath.  I completely agree about the kitchen/living room beneath/above bedroom scenario.  When houses are converted the floors are often not strengthened and soundproofed.  This is where I first came across the word "pugging".

Philippa Bond ● 2157d

Basil  Did you try using the Search facility on this site?  You may find some good information there.

Philippa Bond ● 2157d

Thank you all for the info. Much appreciated.

Basil Finnis ● 2157d

I have been researching this problem too.  Converted house with wood suspended floor.  Carpets compulsory but theirs are 35+ years with almost non existent underlay.The most interesting I have come across was a cork underlay sandwiched with a rubber/cotton waste layer.  The problem is that it comes from Germany and given current politics getting it would be difficult and prolonged.  It was cheap either.

Elizabeth Ross ● 2157d

I did some research on sound proofing and came across a very expensive solution.To install a floating floor, it’s a complete floor built over your original floor held up by a material (could be rubber) in certain areas leaving  an air gap between the floors.All of this was because a relation wanted to rehearse her tap dancing routine at home. She didn’t go ahead with the idea as the cost was rather high.

Bernard Allen ● 2157d

I'm not an expert on this but having had our flat refurbished with sound-proofing I have some knowledge from experience.  There are two aspects (at least!) to consider - mechanically transmitted noise and noise transmitted by air.Mechanically transmitted noise is basically people stomping all over the floor and the vibrations being transmitted downward through the floorboards and joists.  This can be mitigated by installing an acosutic underlay between floorboards and floor covering (carpets or wooden flooring).  The one we used is Acoustilay.  Two things to beware of - it needs to be wall to wall and when it is being laid (or other things are laid on top of it, such as carpet grippers) you need to be extremely careful that you don't penetrate the acoustic underlay with nails otherwise you will have a path for the mechanical transmission of noise which will obviate the acoustic underlay.Air-borne noise is basically the noise of people talking etc.  The acoustic underlay won't have any significant effect on this.  You need to lay sound proofing (usually fibreglass I think) insulation between the joists underneath the floorboads.  This will also have the effect of providing thermal insulation

Andrzej Kowalski ● 2157d