Floorboards for Apartment - Noise/Neighbours

bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 09:24

I'm looking at replacing the carpets in my apartment with timber floorboards because I think it looks nicer and it's easier to clean.

But part of living in an apartment involves being considerate to my neighbours, so I'm wondering if there's anyone that lives in an apartment below someone who has floorboards and find it annoying when people walk around upstairs?

And for those who have switched from carpets to timber, did you need to take any special measures to prevent the noise/echos from travelling (like any particular insulation material). Was this something that the installers knew to do or did you specifically have to ask them?

Cheers

Home & Garden

Comments

  • bobokingdom on 03/02/2022 - 09:28
    +11

    If it is a Strata building, check with them for their by-laws on what kind of insulation material you will need to use.

    • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 10:26

      I went through the by-laws as the first step and can't seem to see anything about floorboards in there. I'll have a quick conversation with my building manager to see what he says.

    • AndyC1 on 03/02/2022 - 11:16
      +1

      In NSW the info on flooring is in the state strata rules, not the particular strata by laws. In NSW the rules for renovations in what can and cannot be done without informing the strata changes a number of years ago (3 to 8 I think).

      So you may want to check the Vic department that looks after strata to get their info on strata flooring and what reno's need strata approval or not.

      In NSW the summary it is my understanding that you need to ensure that there is no noise penetration into the apartment below and the reno is not required to be approved by the strata if you are not touching anything below the existing carpet underlay. To stop noise you need to be very careful in selecting the right underlay for noise penetration on the floorboards to minimize noise.

  • John Kimble on 03/02/2022 - 09:30
    +9

    if there's anyone that lives in an apartment below someone who has floorboards and find it annoying when people walk around upstairs?

    Yes, it's annoying.

    • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 10:28

      Do you know if it's because they haven't installed insulation properly or have they done it properly but you still find it annoying?

      • John Kimble on 03/02/2022 - 10:31
        +2

        There wouldn't be any insulation, it's an old art deco block just floorboards and a concrete slab.

        • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 10:33

          There wouldn't be any insulation

          That could be the reason for the noise. I'm hoping that the newer insulation is effective and deadens the noise significantly.

  • AustriaBargain on 03/02/2022 - 09:52
    -3

    If you live with anyone heavy then you might find floorboards in front of the fridge and stuff will end up making a lot of noise.

    • AustriaBargain on 03/02/2022 - 12:03

      No offence to heavyset people, just something I've noticed after living with some of you over the years.

  • arkosh on 03/02/2022 - 09:54
    +1

    As bobokingdom mentioned, you need to check if there are any conditions in the Strata building.
    Most apartments require compliance with the Building Code of Australia as a minimum. The criteria is not very stringent for footfall noise. You'll likely comply if there's a suspended plasterboard ceiling in the apartment below, and you install the floorboards on an acoustic underlay.
    Also, you should be aware, it is likely that the neighbors below you will notice a difference. But just because they can hear something, doesn't mean it's non-compliant.

    • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 10:31

      Thanks for this info. I'm sure that whatever I get installed professionally will be compliant - it's just that I still don't want to be that person that says "what I've done is perfectly legal, what are you going to do about it?" If it's going to end up being a pain for other people, then I'll just stick to carpet.

  • pharkurnell on 03/02/2022 - 10:17
    +6

    But part of living in an apartment involves being considerate to my neighbours

    You would be one in a million that give a shit about others in an apartment building.

    • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 10:37
      +6

      For me. it's always about treating people the way I'd like to be treated.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 03/02/2022 - 10:36
    +1

    Use rugs in high traffic areas.

    • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 10:44
      +1

      That's a good idea too, but I live in a one bedroom apartment so even though, it's oversized, it's still not that big and a rug might defeat the purpose of having floorboards. But that would be really good under the office chair.

  • reno on 03/02/2022 - 10:54
    +1

    Usually with the strata they have some acoustic target for you to meet. Your installer would need to confirm/provide details of the product and the acoustic ratings, in which strata can then approve. You would then just need some sort of paperwork that confirms/shows you have used that product. If you want to be extra considerate, get the higher ratings and thicker insulation to help the cause. But when things drop on the timber/laminate - the noise is always going to be louder regardless

  • Duckie2hh on 03/02/2022 - 10:55
    +1

    Are you going to wear shoes ? walking barefoot on floor boards should reduce the noise.

    • Archi on 03/02/2022 - 11:03
      +2

      not if you have young kids…

      or

      you constantly drop things, jump, dance and drag furniture on the floor

    • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 11:08
      +1

      It's just me in a single asian household, so typically no shoes. But I've been told that I have heavy feet. I sleep quite late too so I would prefer not to wake people up when I'm moving around.

  • garetz on 03/02/2022 - 11:09

    Its not just a question of hearing them walk on floorboards, you also lose sound insulation, so depending on how thin the walls are you can pretty much hear everything from them having relations to them talking on the phone.

    I think its much worse when they are above you than next to you.

    • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 11:27

      …so depending on how thin the walls are you can pretty much hear everything from them having relations

      "having relations..". 🤣

      I'm lucky the walls in my building aren't thin. And i'm still thinking of keeping the carpet in the bedroom. It's just the loungeroom and kitchen areas that I wanted to rip the carpet out.

  • slow on 03/02/2022 - 11:25
    +3

    In my house I have floating floorboards upstairs. It is laid on acoustic underlay that is meant to reduce noise and there is also noise proofing between the floors. If people walk heavily or drop things upstairs we still hear it downstairs

    • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 11:29
      +1

      Thanks for this. This is good info. Would you think that an over-spec'd acoustic underlay would help?

      • yokel on 26/02/2022 - 08:46

        In an apartment with slab floor I have had success with Dunlop timber cushion. It’s expensive compared to no name stuff but it is better than having to pull up the whole lot. Get it approved by strata committee first. My last unit had a moron in the past lay down the worst floating floor you would ever see up above me. Noise transmission was unbearable and the owner well and truly got the message

  • slow on 03/02/2022 - 13:05
    +1

    I cant remember the exact product that was used but we did ask for the best, of course whether the builder actually used the product we specified or not is another question as I didn't see it being installed….. Inbetween the floors is thick acoustic insulation that cost a few thousand dollars and we saw being installed.

    I am no expert but I believe there are different types of noise reduction. Insulation will reduce voice and that type of noise, but not really impact noises as they travel through the solid material like house frame so need something to dampen that

  • screensaver on 03/02/2022 - 14:05

    I did mystery shopping at bunnings, and there was insulation underlay, if I recall there were also superior grades, meaning there was a budget one and so on

    • bobbified on 03/02/2022 - 15:05

      Thanks. When it comes time, I'll check with the installers to get the most effective one put in.

  • Euphemistic on 26/02/2022 - 09:20

    Practice walking lightly.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join