How to avoid the trauma of timber floor noise from above

W

Whozat

New upstairs neighbour in unit complex is about to renovate and redo the floors with laminate floorboards. :eek:

I suggested costsharing in the best quality acoustic underlay available so that it impacts the least on me in my PPOR. The neighbour is understanding and prepared to work with me on it (though unfortunately not prepared to give up laminate and go with my other recommendation of carpet!).
So, the question is, which underlay is going to do the best job?

Sellers of laminate flooring have been limited in what they offer for acoustic underlay, surprisingly limited in their knowledge of the products they sell as underlay, and without any consensus on how effective it will or won't be.

Independent web research throws up a number of underlay products, but not ones that seem to be readily supplied by flooring shops.

Can anyone recommend products, or does anyone have advice or related experiences to do with this issue? Maybe your Body Corporate has a recommended product?(Our BC doesn't)
 
Not answering your question but have a look through your BC by-laws. I have come across a few in my time that forbid the use of anything but carpet to specifically avoid your situation.

I alsoi know of a unit owner that did timber laminate in contravention of the by-laws and was fined by the BC as well as made to take it up and replace with carpet.
 
I agree with Propertunity. First, talk with your strata manager about the bylaws. Laminate floors are notorious for noise transferral as are tiles.

There are specialised underlays eg SilentShield which will confirm with the relevant australian standards for noise transmittal. I had it put down under my floating floor when I lived in a top floor apartment and the people below couldnt hear a thing.

Personally I would not agree to anything. I would also not contribute anything financially. I would ask the lot owner above to submit a request to the manager who will then put it out to the owners to approve. You can then have it approved with the requirements of it must meet the relevant standards and if there in unacceptable noise, the lot owner must remedy or remove at their own expense.
 
Yes, have already spoken with our BC managing agency and the relevant govt qld dept that gives advice on BC matters. Our BC only has the stock standard by-law 'must not interfere with the peaceful enjoyment.... etc'.

Also, in a small block, there are important social dynamics to consider, and trying to rally others against a new owner, even if that's what I wanted to do, could make life unpleasant in other ways.

So, I feel the best option is to find the best product available.
I am encouraged to learn that your downstairs neighbours couldn't hear anything with your Silentshield underlay Dave. Not finding it on the web though. How long ago did you do the install?

Names like Damtec, Regupol, Acoustacork I've seen, but no Silentshield. Also just came across seemingly a very promising product - Angelstep. Anyone got any feedback on that one, or others?
 
you're going to need a minimum 5mm thickness in the underlay. Most suppliers will have reports. Dun get any of those bunnings brand.

if you really wanted to you could get a high end acoustic underlay made and installed.

If you know how thick your slab is that would help.

Laminate floorboards are not noisy if installed correctly and with the appropriate underlay. i've had it installed maybe 30 times (then again i have a side venture renovating apartments). I lived in an apartment where i owned the one above as well and i installed laminate floorboards in both - no noise whatsoever.

Unfortunately you're in gold coast - or else i could sell you my underlay.
 
Melbournian said:
I lived in an apartment where i owned the one above as well and i installed laminate floorboards in both - no noise whatsoever.

Unfortunately you're in gold coast - or else i could sell you my underlay.
Click to expand...

Hi Melbournian. What brand of underlay was used in the unit above you?

Makers of underlay have reports, but your average supplier of laminate flooring, and therefore underlay have so far showed little real knowledge of acoustic underlay.

One underlay maker - Damtec - produces underlay for laminate in either 2mm or 3mm, so although it seems to be one of the better products (based on their reports), it doesn't fit with the suggestion to use minimum 5mm.

Costs for acoustic underlay though range from between $8 per sq metre, to what seems to be top of the range at $73 per sq metre.....:eek:

Just wish I could find some more feedback on how effective these products are when someone is actually living underneath them. Melbournian, with respect, is it possible that because you installed the laminate above, that you might have had a different sensitivity to any noise that was transmitted from the unit above you?
 
Such a difficult situation to be in :( Do any of the other upstairs units have laminate flooring? Can you speak to them about what underlay they have used to lessen the noise to the below units? For sanity purposes I'd be paying for the acoustic underlay, the noise factor "for enjoyment" would be worth more to me than anything else :)

Holly
 
Just in the process of trying to find out now.
I seem to remember comments in the past though that it was noisy from up above.

I agree that for my own peace and quiet that the acoustic underlay is needed, but trying to get to the bottom of what is truly an effective acoustic underlay is the problem.
 
Whozat said:
Hi Melbournian. What brand of underlay was used in the unit above you?

Makers of underlay have reports, but your average supplier of laminate flooring, and therefore underlay have so far showed little real knowledge of acoustic underlay.

One underlay maker - Damtec - produces underlay for laminate in either 2mm or 3mm, so although it seems to be one of the better products (based on their reports), it doesn't fit with the suggestion to use minimum 5mm.

Costs for acoustic underlay though range from between $8 per sq metre, to what seems to be top of the range at $73 per sq metre.....:eek:

Just wish I could find some more feedback on how effective these products are when someone is actually living underneath them. Melbournian, with respect, is it possible that because you installed the laminate above, that you might have had a different sensitivity to any noise that was transmitted from the unit above you?
Click to expand...

it's no name brand. i imported it myself from overseas. most owners corp requires 5mm. AS for sensitivity. nope - that shouldn't be an issue

had an acoustic test being done.
 
i wouldn't be too concerned. you need to see what kind of slab is on your ceiling as well.

just get the underlay that gives the best results.

Also - floorboards makes a difference too in terms of sound - so the better quality ones will yield better results.
 
WA has a by law allowable banning anything but carpet as well, except for wet areas.

It stands over MANY older 60s flats, without the knowledge of all but the most informed, pain in the **** owners.
 
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