Flats and wood/laminate flooring in flats...

satchmeister

Mrs_pbradley936 wrote: »

Never heard of it - but if you are worried about noise just choose a heavier type of underlay.

It is not the noise in your flat it is the noise generated by the people above and below who have laminate flooring; the ones with no or cheap underlay.

Many blocks have restrictions in the lease but getting these enforced is a different issue. Managing agents will not force the issue ie make the flat owner install carpet.

We looked flats in a large block (NW6) well managed etc according to the EA, phoned the blocks managing agent and asked about wooden floor - not allowed but there were two flats in the block for sale where the photos and the details highlighted wooden floors throughout.

Surprise surprise, in the minutes of the resident association there are numerous complaints about noise and managing agent refer residents to the noise team in the council, they will do nothing about it.

neverdespairgirl

In our block, there is a similar prohibition in the lease. In fact, all the flats now have wood floors, but there is no noise from them at all. If the floors are properly laid, and the sound-proofing otherwise good, they aren't noisy at all.

Ulfar

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

In our block, there is a similar prohibition in the lease. In fact, all the flats now have wood floors, but there is no noise from them at all. If the floors are properly laid, and the sound-proofing otherwise good, they aren't noisy at all.

I would agree with this, the problem lies in that most people don't see the point of spending as much on underlay as the flooring itself.

Laminate flooring with no underlay when laid over a concrete floor will cause a lot of noise as the concrete will transmit sound quite happily.

devotee

PJD wrote: »

I'm in the process of buying a flat, and a friend of mine has just told me that it's in her lease that wooden flooring is not allowed because of noise reasons.

It's common. As someone said enforcing it is another issue. Laminate is noisier than the wood though, with or without underlay.

You can have it done and live with it as long as no one complains, when you decide to sell the buyer's solicitor may require that you put the carpets back. Up to you.

neverdespairgirl

Ulfar wrote: »

I would agree with this, the problem lies in that most people don't see the point of spending as much on underlay as the flooring itself.

Laminate flooring with no underlay when laid over a concrete floor will cause a lot of noise as the concrete will transmit sound quite happily.

Also, laminate's pretty cheap and tacky, really. Engineered or solid wood floors are a lot better.

Person_one

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Also, laminate's pretty cheap and tacky, really. Engineered or solid wood floors are a lot better.

A lot better, and far more expensive! Laminate can look just fine, and if your flat's full of ikea furniture and hand me down plates anyway there's no point trying to make a statement with your floor to impress snobs!

PJD

Wood is far more vulnerable to scratches and dents, - laminate is far more durable.....

neverdespairgirl

Person_one wrote: »

A lot better, and far more expensive! Laminate can look just fine, and if your flat's full of ikea furniture and hand me down plates anyway there's no point trying to make a statement with your floor to impress snobs!

Nothing to do with "snobs". A solid or engineered wood floor is quieter, and can always be sanded and re-varnished. It'll last a lot, lot longer.

neverdespairgirl

PJD wrote: »

Wood is far more vulnerable to scratches and dents, - laminate is far more durable.....

I'm not remotely sure that is true. The wooden floor in the flat we've just bought is 100 years old - and after sanding and varnishing, looks fantastic. No laminate floor is going to last a century!

k66yla

My upstairs neighbours have recently laid laminate flooring thoughout with NO underlay. Its making my life hell. Their kids are running from one side of the flat to the other constantly. I don't have a problem with laminate flooring but if you are going to spend the money & time laying it at least spend money on some decent underlay. I've laminate in my lounge, I left the thick carpet underlay I had under the old carpet down and it works perfectly, saying that I am on the ground floor but both my flat and upstairs are purpose built with concrete floors.
I did look in the tenants handbook and it does say that the HA can make you replace the laminate flooring with carpet if its causing a nuisance.