Top 9 Ways On How To Soundproof Floor In Apartment : Easy & Affordable

Living on the upper floor of the apartment ensures safety and privacy. But it has some limitations. Music, television, or conversations can easily travel down your floor and disturb neighbors.

Recently my neighbor knocked on my door and complained about the loud noise from their ceiling. I was a bit worried, turned down the volume of my television, and then started investing in different ways to reduce traveling from the floor.

Fortunately, I found various ways to reduce floor noise, like laying a carpet or using interlocking floor mats.

The article discusses how to soundproof floor in apartment. So, keep reading this article to learn various ways by which you can soundproof your floor.

A Brief Explanation About Sound

The main aim of the soundproofing project is to reduce the amount of sound traveling through the floor in the apartment. 

So to achieve the goal, you need to know about sound waves and how they travel, different types of sound, and the type of sound in which you deal. This knowledge will help to deal with the issue properly.Noise can be classified into two types which are discussed below.

1. Airborne noise

Airborne noise is such noise that travels through the air. Sound waves need a medium to travel from one place to another; in this case, it is air. 

Whenever an object makes a noise, the sound waves travel through the air, strike any structure like a wall, and then transmit through it. Some examples of airborne sound include conversations, TV, or music played in your home.

2. Impact Noise

When an object creates sound by making contact with a solid structure, it is called impact sound. Some examples of impact sounds include children running over the floor or moving furniture.

Impact noise is more strong than airborne noise. So when you move furniture or your child drags chairs, your down stair neighbors can easily hear it.

So you need to determine the type of noise traveling to your downstairs neighbors and disturbing them. Well, I have a nice trick for determining the type of noise.

 Whenever you hear any noise, then put your hand on the floor. If you notice that your floor is vibrating, then it is impact noise. But if the floor does not vibrate, it indicates an airborne sound.

Most people living in apartments are not much worried about the airborne sounds. You need to reduce your music or television volume to reduce sound waves traveling down the floor. But you must find various ways to reduce impact noise traveling from the floor.

What Are The Advantages Of Soundproofing Your Apartment Floor? 

Do your downstairs neighbors often complain about the noise coming from their ceiling? If yes, they can easily hear your conversation, the TV or music you are playing, and many other things that disturb your privacy. 

So soundproofing your floor can be an effective solution.t will even allow your downstair neighbor to sleep comfortably or focus appropriately in their office or essential work. Lastly, when you soundproof the floor then, it enhances your home’s energy efficiency.

How To Soundproof EaA Floor An In Apartment?

We usually neglect the floor while soundproofing our entire room. But remember floor is the primary source for easily transmitting soundwaves.

Floors usually transmit structure-borne sounds that can disturb the one living just below your flat in the apartment.

Again staying in an apartment comes with certain restrictions. You usually sign a contract with the homeowner; in most contracts, you are not permitted to make specific structural changes in the flat. 

So you are left finally with some handful options which you can utilize to soundproof your floor. But if you are a homeowner, you can make various structural changes to soundproof your floor.

Well, now let’s discuss some of the ways how to soundproof floor in apartment.

1. Use Interlocking Floor Mats

If you are staying in a rent-in apartment and searching for the most cost-effective option to soundproof your floor, I recommend using interlocking floor mats.

You must have seen these mats in nursery schools. These mats look like puzzle pieces. They come in various designs and styles. So you can purchase them according to your room design. The design of these floor mats is such that the edge will be connected easily to each other. 

Arranging interlocking floor mats on your floor is relatively easy and involves a lot of fun. Installing these mats is just like playing a jigsaw puzzle. The mats are also 100% safe as they consist of antibacterial materials. These mats can help to reduce the noise traveling through the floor.

Also Read : How To Soundproof A Bathroom

2. Acoustic Floor Underlay

Acoustic floor underlay reduces impact noise and prevents sound waves from reaching your downstairs neighbors.

It is available in rolls or sheets, and you need to install them between your floor’s base and finish surface structure. The floor underlayment can be made from cork, foam, fiber, or rubber. It is pretty easy to install when you have no floor covering.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to lay floor underlayment.

• Remove carpet or carpet padding if you have laid on the floor.
• Use a broom or vacuum cleaner and adequately clean the subfloor to remove all the dust.
• Inspect the subfloor thoroughly after cleaning. It is an important step that most people neglect it. Ensure the subfloor is flat and in good condition before installing floor underlayment.
• If you find any issue, then first repair it. For instance, if you find any screws or nails, you must either remove or fix them.
• The flooring underlayment usually comes in rolls. The roll usually comes in 100 to 1500 square feet. Try to start rolling the floor underlayment. Start laying one row after the other. You can secure the flooring underlayment by using tape. 
• You need to lay the floor underlayment in the direction in which you will install flooring pranks.
• Don’t overlap the flooring underlayment with each other.
• Install plank one by one on the top of the flooring underlayment. Remember, there should be no gaps or joints in between the pranks.
• Continue installing till you cover the entire floor.
• This installation will significantly help to reduce the impact of noise.

3. Use Mass Loaded Vinyl

If you don’t have much budget and want to soundproof your floor, then you can think of mass-loaded vinyl sheets. 

They are flexible, easy to install, and available at an affordable price. You can place these sheets below your carpet to effectively dampen the sound.

Here is a step-by-step guide on installing mass-load vinyl sheets on the floor.

• Remove the baseboard molding, padding, and carpet.
• Clean the subfloor with the help of a broomstick and vacuum cleaner.
• Access the subfloor thoroughly. It must be flat enough so that there will be no problem installing mass-loaded vinyl sheets.
• Start installing Mass loaded vinyl sheets.
• You may double the layer of mass-loaded vinyl sheets.
• You can lay rubber padding, carpet, and baseboard molding after installation.
• All three materials, i.e., Mass loaded vinyl, rubber padding, and carpet, will significantly help dampen sound waves.

4. Install Cork Flooring

Have you tried the above tips and tricks but are unsatisfied with soundproofing your floor? If yes, then you must lay cork tiles on your existing floor.

Cork tiles are obtained from the bark of cork trees. They have millions of air pockets which help to reduce impact noise to a greater extent. The air pockets within these tiles can effectively absorb the sound of furniture dragging or falling utensils.

Apart from soundproofing your floor, it has other advantages. It acts as an insulator and provides warmth to the room during the cold season. Additionally, the millions of air pockets in cork tiles prevent accidental injury while falling on the floor.

5. Rubber Mats

Laying rubber mats on the floor can help to reduce impact noise to a greater extent. It can even reduce slipping on the floor and provide comfort while walking. These mats are popular as they are durable, easy to clean, and require low maintenance.

You must have probably seen rubber mats in a local fitness center. These mats help to absorb the impact noise of heavy equipment in the gym. These mats are also used in industries where workers must stand and work for a long time. Standing on these mats will reduce fatigue and provide cushioning to your foot.

6. Install Floor Joist Isolators

Do you wish to reconstruct your house’s floor for a theater or recording studio and want to soundproof your floor?

 If yes, then install floor joist isolators to soundproof your floor.Joist isolators are sound insulators designed mainly to reduce structural-borne noise, airborne noise, and vibration. They are made from thermoplastic material and are easy to install.

You can easily install them on floor joists. The best thing is that it requires no adhesive or gum for installation.

You need to nail the subfloor back in its place after installing the floor joists. Try to follow the manufacturer’s instructions while installing the subfloor.

7. Build Floor Over The Existing Floor

You can build a floor over your existing floor to reduce noise. Most people like to lay tiles or laminate on the existing floor as it is pretty easy. But there are a few things that you have to consider before adding one floor over another. 

You need to thoroughly investigate the existing flooring, rubber padding, and the subfloor. You can start laying new tiles or laminate over the existing floor if all are in good condition. 

But if there is a problem with the subfloor or carpet, correct it and install any tiles or laminate over the existing floor.

8. Purchase Carpet Padding

You can consider carpet padding to reduce noise levels. They are placed below the carpet and dramatically help to dampen the sound. Carpet padding is available in various designs, styles, colors, and thicknesses. We will recommend you purchase thick carpet padding so that it will effectively weaken the soundwaves.

Measure the carpet size and then purchase the carpet padding according to the carpet measurements. It will be easy for you to install.

You have to first ull the existing carpet and then lay the padding. You can then place the carpet over it. It will now help to block the noise levels.

9. Apply Sound Dampening compound

Green glue is a sound-dampening compound that significantly helps to reduce noise levels. The adhesive nature of the glue helps to dampen the noise levels. It is 100 percent safe, and you don’t require professional help applying green glue. 

But you need to remember a few things before using a sound-dampening compound on the floor. We are listing them below.

• The subfloor must be thoroughly cleaned before applying the sound-dampening compound like green glue.
• There should not be any protrusions like nails on the subfloor.
• You can use a caulk gun to distribute the green glue evenly on the subfloor. Place the floor underlayment over the green glue.
• Install your preferred flooring over the floor underlayment.
• Lay one thick carpet over the preferred flooring.
• The green glue usually takes 30 days to dampen the sound effectively.
• Green glue can help to reduce both airborne and impact noise effectively.

Conclusion

It’s nice to stay on the top floor in apartments. But the noise produced n your home can bother your downstair neighbor, and he may complain frequently regarding the noise. We have discussed above some of the best ways how to soundproof floor in apartment. You can utilize any of the tips and reduce the noise levels.

FAQ :How To Soundproof Floor In Apartment