sound insulation between flats?

Question

We live in a house converted into two flats. Upstairs was bought by a couple two years ago and was totally done up. They have just moved out due to having another child and have rented it to another family. This new family comprises 4 children and two adults (in a 2 bedroom flat!). When it was done-up no sound insulation was put in and we can now hear EVERYTHING that is said upstairs. Simply walking around upstairs creates booming thumps to echo through our flat. Is there anything that can be done about it (other than asking them to whisper!)?

Any ideas would be grand!

Thankyou!

Answer 1

This is common problem I'm afraid. If the house was converted today building regulations require adequate sound insulation to be put in, with older conversions it becomes more difficult and expensive to sort out.



Firstly, some leases specify that none of the flats can have exposed floorboards or laminate floorboads put in - worth checking as carpets dampen down the sound considerably. All other options are expensive. In my flat I put rockwool slabs underneath the floorboards between the ceiling joists when I bought it, with a floating hardboard floor on top of the floor boards, before carpeting on top. This cuts the noise down considerably but can obviously be only done in the flat above you. You could put a suspended ceiling in your flat with sound insulation in it, but this could be more expensive.

Answer 2

Actually most leases in the Uk specify that flats have carpeted floors and if you can hear everything they have got boards or laminate etc. Naturally the owners may have bought the flat because of the lovely wooden floors but if it is in the lease you can go to the freeholder and ask them to ensure that the people above you comply with their lease. Naturally that makes it a bit hard to have them as good neighbours, so here are a few ideas to get them to go there voluntarily. Try to get one of them dowen to your flat when the other is still upstairs doing something, so that they hear how loud everything is. If they say they did not realise how the noise carries do say that it was quieter before and perhapos tey will get the hint and buy some rugs so that they can see the wood round the room edges but not make so much noise. If they do not then you coudl ask them to do somethng like that. If the lease specifies that carpet must be fitted it is the final solution but be prepared to have a bad relationship with them and lots of petty niggling about your plant pots on the windowsills! (another common thing not allowed - for obvious reasons above ground floor, but most flats in a building have the same lease for all).

Tread carefully at first and try to keep on side. Unfortunatley living in a conversion flat is a balancing act and one day you will end up in a purpose built flat with good soundproofing or a detatched house, which is much better.

Answer 3

Soundproofing Floors Between Flats

Answer 4

i suggest you ask them to whisper (and tiptoe). i could do this job for you, and i would charge you a fortune. of course i guess it depends on what you would be willing to compromise on.



there is obviously no insulation in your ceiling. then there are issues about the floorboards and floor framing upstairs. this all probably needs stiffening. for extreme cases there is soundproof sheetrock and vinyl sheeting. how far do you want to go?



maybe you would just like to take the ceiling down, get some rolls of fiberglass insulation (R-38 is the heavy one) and stuff it in between the joists (the big boards running horizontal). replace the ceiling and finish.



add: egg cartons are extremely flammable. and i didn't mention suspended ceilings because i have never seen one that was not tacky.

Answer 5

im really sorry, this must drive you nuts.

the way you describe it, the noise was not a problem until the flat was done up. maybe they have removed soundi nsulation.

egg boxes are no use, and plasterboard with foam on it is for heat insulation not sound.

download building regulations approved document E, for sensible designs for reducing the sound transmission.

think hard about it because its expensive building work and will only reduce the noise, and its hard to predict by how much..

Answer 6

I agree with the carpet nbut that would be the onus of the folks upstairs. io've heard egg cartons are a very good noise insulator but that is faily useless information unless you want to glue eggcartons to your ceiling.

Answer 7

sorry there is nothing you can do. Insulation should have been put in between ceiling and upstairs floor boards. Unfortunately you cannot put anything on your ceiling to deaden upstairs noise because of weight and fire risk.

Answer 8

you can get plasterboard with foam on one side add this to your ceiling it should absorb most of the noise its costly and alot of mess is created as it means moving light fittings skimming painting etc



if there is wooden flooring upstairs it also permits noise through.