best soundproofing for laminate floor

pigeonpie

Our carpet needs to be replaced in the lounge and we can't match it up with the other parts of the flat - all carpeted - as it's no longer available in this shade of neutral beige (we have checked with excellent carpet guys)

There is some kind of soundproofing underneath but we can't get hold of the previous owner to check if he used a fibreglass product or what he did. It's an open plan lounge/kitchen area and the kitchen area is oak floor which is not noisy, however the carpenter we want to use for the lounge says short of ripping up the board under the carpet to check (all you can see is the board when you lift the carpet and underlay) he can't quote on the job as he's not sure how well it's soundproofed. It was done back in 2000 so may not be up to current standards.

The carpenter thinks the solution is to lay good quality laminate. Our lease allows wood floors but only if they don't create more noise than carpet would to the neighbours. As we can't afford to recarpet the flat throughout, we have to go with wood or laminate in the one room that needs new flooring ie lounge. I don't think we could afford to rip up the whole floor and current soundproofing and redo it all with real wood either.

I have googled and there are a lot of companies offering acoustic underlay which they make quite extravagant claims for, ie how quiet it is. Can anyone help with a suggestion for a solution or a suitable product please? I'm getting very stressed about spending money on this flat, but the lounge carpet is really in bad condition. thank you

jamesperrett

It sounds a little bit like the carpenter is touting for business. Why not just replace the carpet with something similar?

If you really want laminate then take a look at http://www.soundservice.co.uk/ or http://www.customaudiodesigns.co.uk/ for an idea of what is involved.

James

pigeonpie

there's carpet throughout the flat and we can't match it up. Nor can we afford to replace the carpet throughout and to have a different carpet in just the lounge would look very weird.
The carpenter's a good bloke. He advised us to sell the flat as there are constant issues. But we can't sell it (even if we decide to) with our lounge carpet in such an awful state.
Carpenter doesn't like engineered floors as says they are glued - I found some click joint ones mentioned online though - not sure if just in the USA though?

SuzieSue

Have you thought about Karndean or similar floorings? They are expensive and some people on this site have had problems with scratches and other marks, but at least you won't have a problem with noise. I can't comment on how good Karndean as mine won't be fitted for a couple of weeks, but it is something to consider if you are concerned about noise.

dander

TBH I don't think it would look strange to have a different carpet in the living room - if you went for something close, then most people probably wouldn't even notice. And if you went for something very different, it would just look like you wanted to make a different statement in the living room. Obviously, if you prefer the wooden option, then it's a different matter!

I don't think you'll ever get a hard floor that's as quiet as carpet, though. The noise issues are not just about the sound actually on the hard floor, but the fact that the hard floor doesn't absorb and deaden the sound within the room itself. Also, acoustic underlays for hard floors tend to be quite thick, so whatever solution you go for - do consider whether your floor heights are going to end up varying.

pigeonpie

We laid the closest possible match in a new upstairs mezzanine area and it is noticeably different.
You're right about the acoustic board soundproofing. Apparently a good one is 30mm thick.
I've not heard of Karndean, will have a look.

I am getting convinced that we need to sell the flat - boiler is old and they are stopping replacement parts for it soon too. This is a money eater, but it's such a nice area. We can't afford a house around here, would have to move to a much grottier area. It just does my head in, so thanks for the advice and help

trumpton

Is the carpet falling to bits or just dirty? We had a very grubbby cream carpet cleaned and got a local company to clean two 13x13ft rooms - only cost £50, which was a bargain I realise - but they came up like new. It may be worth doing this if the carpet isn't physically decaying. You will be amazed what a good carpet clean can do.

I would also be wary of spending a lot on a flat you want to sell. It's very House Doctorish to spend on a new carpet, but if it is a fairly cheap property I'm not always convinced it's worth it in terms of what it will add to the value.