Residential Wood & Hard Floors

Installing hard floor finishes into existing residential dwellings

When installing a hard or wooden floor finish into a leased residential dwelling, you should “tread carefully”. Before changing any floor finish, we would advise that you check your lease for any such restrictions.  Leases often contain clauses on changing floor finishes, particularly to wooden or hard floors in shared properties such as flats.  The clauses vary considerably and could request for the sound insulation of the new floor to be the same or a similar level to the current floor. Some clauses require testing before and after works hence the need to comply with the lease prior to works.  

Wooden and hard floor finishes can inherently cause higher impact sounds or impact noise below.  Particularly, when compared to soft finishes, such as carpet. The term impact sound is used to describe when object impacts on a structure. So, in a residential scenario this would be footsteps on a floor.  And, to protect all residents from such unwanted impact noise, landlords often add floor finish clauses in their leases.  

If your lease does have restrictions on floor finishes

Sound Solution Consultants (SSC) have helped many clients meet lease conditions for floor finishes. We pride ourselves on putting our clients first, finding the right solution and avoiding unnecessary costs. 

Here is a quick overview of how we could help. Please note, not all these steps would be required. It would depend on your lease. 

Lease Interpretation

Firstly, we can help you interpret the clause in your lease. As sometimes these can be difficult to interpret and differ from lease to lease.  They can sometimes be technically confused or difficult to achieve, where clarity from an acoustic professional can help. 

Baseline Impact Sound Test

Secondly, we would carry out a baseline impact sound insulation test.  As including your current floor finish, this determines the baseline condition for any further finish changes. We do this by setting up a tapping machine in the room where the floor finishes will be changed. Then, take measurements in the below adjoining room, which would be in your neighbour’s property. Therefore, we would need the relevant consent before proceeding. Please be aware that there cannot be anyone in either flat during testing (typical duration 2.5 hours). 

Acoustic Design Review

Thirdly, we analyse the results of the baseline impact sound test and review the specification of your desired floor. From this we can then specify what type of impact sound insulation you would need to meet the requirements set out by your lease. Plus give installation guidance to ensure maximum performance.  

We can also attend your property on installation day. To ensure that your floor is being installed as per the design review. A wrongly fitted floor could result in, a poorer impact sound insulation level. Which could mean that you do not meet the necessary lease requirements.  

We would always advise that the acoustic design review stage is carried out. As we ensure that the correct products are purchased and installed to achieve the right performance level.  

Completion Impact Sound Test

Finally, when the new flooring has been installed, if required by the lease, we can then carry out a final impact sound test to show that you have meet the lease requirements. This report can then be given to your managing agent.  

Acoustic Flooring

We also provide acoustic materials at very competitive prices. SSC give free and impartial advice. If you need any assistance on the best sound proofing products to choose for your project. Give our team a call and they will be more than happy to help. You can view a few examples of acoustic flooring at the following links: 

Acoustic Flooring  

Acoustic Mats 

Fitting Accessories 

  

Need advice?

If you require advice on installing a hard or wooden floor. You can call us, complete our  ‘request a call back form’ or drop us an email  [email protected] . Our professional and knowledgeable team are here to help.