Thinking of replacing a carpet with a hard floor finish? Please read this first
Hard flooring surfaces such as timber laminates, sanded floorboards and ceramic tiles have become increasingly popular in recent years. This trend has, however, led to an increasing number of concerns with regard to noise and disturbance to neighbours, specifically for apartments and flats. This guide provides advice and highlights the potential noise issues of replacing a soft floor covering with a hard floor finish. It also covers issues relating to apartments and flats, types of floor structure and good practice for terraced and semi-detached houses. The full guide is available to be downloaded as a PDF leaflet at the bottom of this page.
Apartments and Flats - Noise and Hard Floor Surfaces
Minimising noise transmission
Advantages of underlay
Renting a house or apartment
What to do in the event of problems
Mediation
Further Information
Research has shown that when a carpet is removed and replaced with wood or laminate flooring the noise your neighbour in the property below experiences will increase significantly. If you live in a flat or an apartment and do not have any properties below, this will generally not cause noise issues (see best practice for installation for houses). The removal of carpet in your home could change the noise environment of your neighbour’s home – especially those below you - from relatively quiet to unbearable. This is likely to have an adverse effect on their enjoyment of their property. In some cases if the situation continues, their health and wellbeing may suffer. This can lead to significant distress for occupants and tension and disputes between neighbours. It may also result in legal action being taken against you. To avoid disturbing your neighbour you should install a resilient underlay under your laminate floor. Extensive use of rugs in areas of high foot traffic will help. Also wearing soft soled shoes, such as slippers, will reduce the amount of noise you generate.
If you are considering installing a laminate or wood finish floor you should minimise the amount of noise which could be heard by your neighbours. The best way of doing this is by laying a resilient underlay. Please see the diagram below:
- it reduce noise transmission to your neighbours
- it prolongs the life of your laminate or wood floor
- it reduce noise and vibration in your own home
- it allow the floor to be more resilient and reduce injuries to children and the elderly when they fall
- it may avoid the potential for confrontation with your neighbour
STEP 1 – lay your underlay so that it lies flat and even
STEP 2 – ensure the underlay edges are abutted and do not overlap as this will create an uneven surface for your
laminate/wood floor
STEP 3 – lay the underlay so that it has at least 10cm extra, turned up at each perimeter wall 
If existing skirting is not being removed
STEP 4 – lay the laminate/wood floor so that it stops at least 2cm from the wall or existing skirting
STEP 5 – pull the underlay around the edge of the laminate
STEP 6 – fix a small wood channel to the base of the skirting or wall, so that the underlay passes between the floor
and channel
STEP 7 – trim off the protruding underlay
If using new skirtings or removing and reusing old skirtings
STEP 4 – lay the laminate/wood floor so that it stops at least 2cm from the wall
STEP 5 – pull the underlay around the edge of the laminate
STEP 6 – fix the skirting to the wall, so that the underlay passes between the floor and skirting base
STEP 7 – trim off the protruding underlay
For attached houses
Noise transmission can occur horizontally if wood or laminate floor finishes are able to touch the shared party wall between the houses. To reduce the possibility of complaints the 7 STEP guide should also be followed.
For detached houses
To reduce noise transmission within your own home using such floor finishes the 7 STEP guide should also be followed.
If you rent your dwelling from a Local Authority, Housing Association, Registered Social Landlord or Private Owner you should check your lease or rental agreement and contact the appropriate person to check if laminate or wood finish floors are permitted to be installed. If you install such flooring without the appropriate permission you may be asked to remove it and reinstall carpets at your expense.
By far the best way to resolve problems with noise from neighbours is through talking to your neighbours and explaining your concerns. It is more than likely that they are unaware of the problem and will be happy to discuss a solution. Suggest that if an underlay has not been installed that the floor be lifted and one installed. Alternatively laying rugs on the area of the floor where problems are most experienced may be less costly and would be far more effective at reducing the noise level.
An alternative solution could be to consider mediation. For further information contact:
Mediation UK
Alexander House,
Telephone Avenue,
Bristol.
BS1 4BS
+44 (0117) 904 6661
www.ukmediation.net
