Floor boards

8 years ago

I live in a second floor, Victorian converted flat, in London. I currently have coir flooring through out, with underlay .. But I still can hear my neighbours below. I would love to have wooden floors laid, ( as I have a cat too !) throughout, but think the sound proof issue will be worse.. do you know if there is such thing as a " soundproofed " wooden floor, or are there any other easy clean options, which are not wooden floors.. Any advice appreciated.

Featured Answer

Susan

7 years ago

I live in a converted flat and which has four floors and our lease clearly states no wooden flooring in expect kitchen and bathroom.

Soundproofing the floor is your best option.

I soundproof last year with
http://www.soundproofingrus.com/
I got my life back after 10 years of misery from two set of neighbours living above me.

Check out the above website as it very informative on what products are available as soundproofing has come a long way. This company has a show room which was very interesting and informative. As we were scared of hiring cowboys.

Good luck

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Comments (8)

Juliet Docherty
8 years ago
You can now get some beautiful cork for floors which provides much better soundproofing than wood. It is finally getting a revival.
PRO
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You need to soundproof the 'sub floor'. Then you can lay whatever you like over the top of it. Sound proof flooring It may also be of note, that you may need to check the leasehold stipulations of the flat. Both of ours that we rent out and are Freeholders of, stipulate that carpet has to be laid in the top floor flat, so unless you are the Freeholder, beware of clauses in the lease.
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I think this is a pretty good article as I hadn't considered inspection points before. I normally wouldn't hesitate to have engineered wood in a kitchen however having got a puppy last year and completely underestimating the amount of mud she brings in Everywhere I would opt for vinyl. We don't have wood in our kitchen but solid and engineered elsewhere and I would also consider how slippery the surface can be particularly for a puppy who runs and jumps everywhere. I like LVT but i think they vary hugely even within the same brand as to how realistic they are so would shop around. Personally I also think LVT looks better with the design strips between the plank to mimic wood and I'd also speak to the fitter to see how it's finished around the perimeter of the room. My mum has a nice karndean floor but finished with clear sealant which I really don't like! I assume it's possible to remove the skirting boards and hide the ends of the planks as you would with wood to avoid this though? I think LVT is also a bit better re scratch marks (if you wanted to keep the wood looking pristine) and although it can still fade in the sunlight I don't think it will be anything like wood can fade https://www.woodandbeyond.com/blog/can-you-have-wood-floors-in-kitchens/
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Sarah if I'm honest it's proving a bit of a pain. Its a UK gov grant so go to the website and then search for registered trade people near you. Supposedly they've only registered for the green home improvements they offer but I've found most ticked ask the boxes. I only found four around us that did under floor insulation and two are completely booked up, one isn't responding and the one we've had a quote from just feels a bit off. They have a handful of reviews online and just something doesn't feel right. so I'm doing some more research before committing. Then lots of paper work to complete but in the end we only pay our share and the company get the rest directly from the gov grant. Hopefully it'll work out...!
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PRO
Re:Design Architecture
8 years ago
I've never come across a lease stipulation for carpet in upper floors!... That's a new one... But can understand it would only be for increased/ensuring sound attenuation.
You don't necessarily need to take up the whole floor to insulate for sound. This leads to issues with dust and dirt and if the neighbour below has recessed spot lights it makes it an issue etc...You can utilise acoustic underlay and other sound deadening measures on top of your own floor. HOWEVER, if you do it all above the existing floorboards you will end up raising it and impacting all the doors - they in turn may need to be trimmed, which in turn will reduce the clearance/height they provide somewhat. And also the skirting boards will be affected but that can be worked around with a bead.
It's complicated and technical, but not to the point of impractical.
Would be happy to help give further advice or provide more clarification.
Feel free to get in touch.
PRO
User
8 years ago
RE- the lease, always best to check, as i can assure you that the leases for our flats say carpet only !!! However, obviously as the Landlord and Freeholder for the building, we would always be open to requests for change !
loobiloo76
Original Author
8 years ago
thanks for all the advise ... I do have a stipulation on wood floors, but I am a joint freeholder and the flat below ( middle) has a wood floor, already. It will be something to think about, but it does sound like an expensive thing to do.
minnie101
8 years ago
Have you thought anout Karndean wood effect vinyl tiles as a substitution for solid wood? Lots of styles including parquet. Their website says it has great acoustic quality for flats etc. i don't know if that means from you making noise or also noise travelling up, would suspect the former but may well be wrong!
PRO
Re:Design Architecture
8 years ago
It will only be a slight increase in cost to introduce an acoustic underlay under the wood floor.

It is the impact on all other associated items that could increase the cost considerably: doors and skirting boards.

But having said that the doors can be trimmed down fairly reasonably and the skirting boards don't really need to be moved will be it you would have to introduce a bead between the expansion joint that is left when the new floor is installed.

Floor boards

Susan

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Juliet Docherty

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Floor boards

Susan

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Juliet Docherty

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