Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:20:28 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310009#Comment_310009 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310009#Comment_310009 Fri, 09 Jan 2026 14:09:23 +0000 alant We are going to install an engineered wood floor on top of 22mm OSB subfloor in the living area (first floor) of our house and we need to reduce the impact / noise transmission to the bedrooms underneath. We fitted 100m of Hemp batts between the I joists but this has been pretty useless at reducing much sound.
Does anyone have any recommendations of what to install as an underlay of up to 10mm thickness to reduce impact noise. Ideally we don't want to use material that has lots of VOC's or off gasses. We have tried several specialist retailers and it seems that they are very good at quoting dB reduction for complete systems of floor make ups not for providing reliable figures for just underlay. Some say Cork is good but its relatively light so i can't see how that helps much.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310011#Comment_310011 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310011#Comment_310011 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 10:57:21 +0000 Artiglio My experience has been that if you have “hard” flooring you’ll always get noise transmission. I used to use a very heavy rubber crumb underlay under laninate floors, this helped. In one flat i laid rubber crumb , 12mm mdf rubber crumb then the laminate. Made a considerable difference but it just meant tenants had less to complain about rather than solving the issue.
In another flat i put up a secondary ceiling on decoupled rubber mounts metal channels, insulation same on 2 walls for flanking sound.Again better but still have issues.
Biggest problem is bedrooms below another room usage, people are far more sensitive to noise when resting/sleeping.
Doing away with a hard flooring and using a decent carpet will make far more difference than any simple underlay product.
Never underestimate the amount of noise transmitted down flanking walls.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310012#Comment_310012 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310012#Comment_310012 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 11:36:14 +0000 djh
Using anything as a floor finish except a rigid hard surface like wood will help enormously. Cork tiles maybe?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310013#Comment_310013 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310013#Comment_310013 Sat, 10 Jan 2026 20:45:52 +0000 fostertom https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310017#Comment_310017 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310017#Comment_310017 Sun, 11 Jan 2026 21:12:47 +0000 djh Posted By: fostertomDo we put a relatively lightweight 'acoustic' quilt in the void above decoupled ceiling, like in a speaker cabinet, to absorb/damp air pressure-waves?I put acoustic rockwool, which I believe is a bit denser than normal rockwool designed for insulation. I think this is dictated by building regs, but it certainly seems to work.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310021#Comment_310021 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310021#Comment_310021 Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:31:46 +0000 Artiglio
However if sound transmission is expected to be a problem then dealing with a design it at the earliest possible stage in a build / conversion is best. Retrofit later can be pretty hit and miss. In addition most peoples expectations are far greater than the actual results achieved.

I’ve used these people for the genie range of products,

https://soundstop.co.uk/

Lots of products to consider.

My most problematic flat has a bedroom in a basement flat beneath a kitchen and bathroom above. I’ve eventually realised i’ll never keep up with the increasingly sensitive tenants of today (as against 15 years ago). Once the tenant in the upper flat leaves, the flat will be rejigged to move the kitchen and replace it with a bedroom. Flat was converted 22 years ago and ready for a refurb , plus the revised layout will be better suited to tenants now seeking to live in the area.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310024#Comment_310024 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310024#Comment_310024 Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:35:28 +0000 djh https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310025#Comment_310025 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310025#Comment_310025 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:08:16 +0000 Artiglio https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310028#Comment_310028 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310028#Comment_310028 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:13:38 +0000 fostertom https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310031#Comment_310031 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310031#Comment_310031 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:52:05 +0000 djh I see there is a slightly cheaper British-made product branded DBX (I thought that was an audio noise reduction system?)]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310069#Comment_310069 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310069#Comment_310069 Sat, 17 Jan 2026 07:10:18 +0000 alant https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310070#Comment_310070 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18393&Focus=310070#Comment_310070 Sat, 17 Jan 2026 07:10:47 +0000 alant