Soundproofing through floor

sztriki

Hi all,

I live in a 1st floor flat that used to be a council house estate, built in the late 80s. Most probably timber joist structure with laminated floor.
The flat has pretty good soundproofing, if I have loud music on for example you can't hear it in the staircase or outside (brick walls). However it's almost like the floors are hollow and the downstairs neighbour is really loud and has a 2-3 yrs old kid, so I can't exactly just ask them to turn him down. I can hear them as if they were playing, racketing, shouting right in the next room.
Any advice on how I could improve the soundproofing without costing an arm and leg? I have no clue if there is enough (or if there's any) wool between the joists - the loft had very little, so it's anyone's guess.
I asked some local flooring shops, they said they don't deal with soundproofing, suggested I get carpet floor with 10mm underlay which I'm considering but doubt it would do on its own. I live in Waltham Cross, if that matters as I doubt generic flooring companies specialize in this.
Thanks!

Yorkie1

I don't know the answer to your specific question, but Fishpools is pretty good at a variety of flooring (carpet type) - might be worth asking them if they have any ideas?

Eldi_Dos

If you are willing to lift your floor you could pour Loose Fill Cellulose Insulation into space between joists. Then new underlay and wool carpet.

FreeBear

Eldi_Dos said:

If you are willing to lift your floor you could pour Loose Fill Cellulose Insulation into space between joists. Then new underlay and wool carpet.

If you are lifting the floor, Rockwool RWA45 might be a better solution. And when you replace the floor, use an isolation material between the joists & boards. Both of these measures will reduce impact noise, but like loose fill insulation, won't do a huge amount to cut airborne noise - For that, you need mass. A double layer of sound block plasterboard will help.

Unfortunately, noise insulation is a complex task, and is not simple to retrofit. It needs an expert to look at the structure in detail and provide recommendations & a plan of works. Even then, it may not be entirely successful... Neighbour has a sound proofed studio that he uses for band practice. The insulation isn't as good as he thinks it is.

Eldi_Dos

Like the idea of isolation between joists and boards, never really thought of that.

Fibre underlay used under laminate flooring, cut into strips and placed onto joists come to mind as a possibility.

leonard_455

Another thing you might try, along with getting carpet and a thick underlay, is putting up some special soundproofing panels or foam tiles on the walls and ceiling. These can help soak up sound and stop it from bouncing around so much. You can usually find them online or at places like home improvement stores.

FreeBear

Eldi_Dos said:

Like the idea of isolation between joists and boards, never really thought of that.

Fibre underlay used under laminate flooring, cut into strips and placed onto joists come to mind as a possibility.

Don't think woodfibre underlay would work. The materials I've seen used for isolation have been a rubber or foam type.

sztriki

Thanks for the responses. I contacted someone who suggested installing engineered floor with acoustic underlay, waiting to see if they can come and have a look. Also contacting a company in Herts who seem to be specialized in this.
I'm still not sure if I have joists or concrete floor, based on the loft and that the downstairs flat has plasterboard ceiling I would guess it is timber but the kitchen has concrete under the vinyl. I wonder if carpet instead of laminate/wooden floor would make any difference.
The annoying bit is that most blurb focuses on sound not leaving my apartment, whereas it's the other way around I'm trying to fix, lol.

Eldi_Dos

FreeBear said:

Eldi_Dos said:

Like the idea of isolation between joists and boards, never really thought of that.

Fibre underlay used under laminate flooring, cut into strips and placed onto joists come to mind as a possibility.

Don't think woodfibre underlay would work. The materials I've seen used for isolation have been a rubber or foam type.

Did think about rubber strips but felt a breathable material would be better suited, 5mm Fibre underlay has 19db noise reduction.