Worth lifting the floorboards?

[Anonymous]

I live in the top floor flat of a Victorian tenemant. Experience airborne noise from the neighbours downstairs in my bedroom (laughter, TV, coughing etc). Am due to replace the carpet soon and will fit sound insulation mats underneath this.

QUESTION FOR THE FORUM - Is it worthwhile lifting the floorboards and inserting some form of sound insulation (accoustic minerall wool) inbetween the joists as well? Trying to understand the costs / benefits involved. Also, is this the sort of work carried out by a joiner or should I go direct to a "specialist" sound insulation company?

Any experience / help much appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

i know that the building regulations now cover sound insulation in the instance of conversion to flats. british gyps*m have a material which can be laid inbetween joists and a sound deadening tape which is fixed to the top side of the rafter prior to relaying the floorboards.... i am sure that they must have a 'www' to search on.

 

[Anonymous]

Link for British-G.
Look at Home Spec. one of the sections deals with sound proofing flats. There is a difference in requirements between new and conversions
There's also a lot of information on the LaFarge site but it's often difficult to find exactly what you want.



http://www.british-gypsum.bpb.co.uk

 

[Anonymous]

I know its a pain but the floor between you and your neighbour is a Party Wall and any work you do needs to be agreed with your neighbour.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Paul.

I been in the same thoughts and been thinking of adding floor heating at the same time. I think this would add more value to the work.

Regarding the sound proofing I was thinking to use normal insulation between the beams (joist(?)) and some kind of neoprene (I don't know a better English word) or rubber on top of the beams. This will take away most of the noise.
My experience from professional sound insulating is that it is very expensive, saying that, I don't have any experience from UK regarding this and it's over 10 years since I did something similar... Sorry, not much to help, I have to do some research on this as well...

Hopping to hear any thoughts about this.

Please let me know what you decide and any results, regards
hakan