Soundproofing in a flat

jee

I've had an offer accepted for a victorian conversion flat. When I was at the property the neighbour from downstairs came out to tell me that if I'm the buyer I need to sound proof the floor. She "kindly" suggested sound deadening boards which I'm thinking can be expensive.
The flat is going to be carpeted throughout (apart from kitchen and bathroom)- are the sound deadening boards the only option or can I get away with laminate floor underlay (the reasonable priced stuff from the big chains) and some good carpet underlay on top of that topped off with carpet.
Anybody have any experience/suggestions? The flat is upper floor semi detached.

torbrex

If there is an incinerator nearby you could get some ash from them and put that in the space below your floorboards, it will act as a good soundproofer. These places usually give the ash away free and 2/3 inches deep between the joists is all that is required.

wapow

Egg trays are good for soundproofing

sirmosh

Unless there's something in the lease to say you have to then you don't. If you move in and she feels you're making too much noise she can put in a complaint but if you're having carpets with underlay it's unlikely you'll be creating a massive amount of sound through the floorboards.

bobula

sounds to me like you are going to have a nightmare downstairs neighbour in a converted on the cheap victorian flat.

if someone came out and said anything like that to me before id run

ruggedtoast

Run away!
:money:

AllSpent

I'm no expert, but I just moved from a Edwardian conversion because the noise from above was driving me mad. Having moved to a flat where the property above has been 'acoustically treated', I can say that it is definitely an improvement, although you can still here people walking. My stress levels have gone from 9/10 to about 4/10 to give a very unscientific estimation.

The neighbour may be happy with a significant reduction in noise in general, and 'foot-fall' in particular. However, I think's it unreasonable to expect not to hear anything at all from above.
It would cost much more to completely soundproof the room. In any case, as long as the decibel level does not reach above the regulation standard for the building (around 14dB I think; may be different for older buildings), then that should suffice.

Carpet with good underlay will possibly reduce the vibration more so, although I haven't directly experienced this.

N.B - I wrote acoustically treated in quote marks, as this was the developer's description, and is open to interpretation. I think concrete was used between floors, as well as laminate underlay.
Acoustically treating and soundproofing are, to me at least, two seperate entities. No matter how well the soundproofing between floors, the vibration will always be perceived.

Hope that helps.

jee

I was thinking the same...I'm planning to do it up and sell on because it's pretty cheap but of course when I'm selling I'd make sure any viewings are done while she's on holiday!

Of course I'll suggest a suspended ceiling for her if she's really bothered by the noise...

steve1980

She's going to be a nightmare. The downstairs neighbour coming out after a VIEWING and telling you to soundproof the floors!!! Steer clear!

You might not be able to soundproof between the floors due to pipes running between the floors.

propertyman

Well it is a concern but there is no obligation to soundproof.
In a lease there will always be clause not to do anything that causes a nuisance to others but that does not apply to normal reasonable activities.

1: Check the lease to see if it requires carpeting, many do.

2: Whatever ever finish you lay, invest in the highest quality underlay. They all have a dB rating. it should be at least 40.

Not only does that makes carpets last much much longer ( as they resit being squashed and stretching the carpet or letting boards squeak) but it should mean that ordinary day to day activities will not bother a reasonable person.

When putting in the TV or speakers a rubber ised mat isolating it from the ground or furniture is a good idea to prevent noise travelling.


Finally turn on the tv in the flat and go downstairs - if you can hear it, run away!

jee

To be honest I think she has it in for the vendor because she was quite rude about him and the state he'd allowed the flat to run into as well as a "nightmare" tennant he had living there (in her opinion). I think she wants to sabotage the sale!