wood flooring in a flat.

Author
Discussion

Hugo a Gogo

23,378 posts

232 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
you haven't considered the cork flooring?

vanordinaire

3,701 posts

161 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
In my previous job, I looked after 6000 rental properties and we had this clause. To be honest it was pretty much unenforceable and we turned a blind eye to most infringements.
Where we did use it , it was usually because there were other 'antisocial' issues and this clause was a starting point/leverage in getting changes made.
9 times out of 10 there will be no issues with a hard floor covering as long as 1) The flat is of reasonable construction, 2) The flooring has been well laid on decent underlay, and 3) The occupants are considerate to their neighbours and don't practice clog dancing at 3am every day.

Du1point8

Original Poster:

21,604 posts

191 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
vanordinaire said:
In my previous job, I looked after 6000 rental properties and we had this clause. To be honest it was pretty much unenforceable and we turned a blind eye to most infringements.
Where we did use it , it was usually because there were other 'antisocial' issues and this clause was a starting point/leverage in getting changes made.
9 times out of 10 there will be no issues with a hard floor covering as long as 1) The flat is of reasonable construction, 2) The flooring has been well laid on decent underlay, and 3) The occupants are considerate to their neighbours and don't practice clog dancing at 3am every day.
This was my thoughts, but everyone seemed against it as I would make sure that a) no one uses shoes in the flat, b) the underlay is sorted, c) I would get a professional in to make sure they could actually do the job properly and limit the noise going through the floor.

FrankAbagnale

1,700 posts

111 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
I know of hundreds of properties that have the same stipulations and a good number of those have laid wooden flooring.

The only time I have ever known it be a problem is when an eagle eyed neighbour sees you taking the boards in to the flat and kicks up a stink in advance.

Put some good insulation down, don't walk around in clogs/heels. I just laid some engineered/laminate wood flooring in my flat and it looks amazing in comparison to the carpet.

N.B - I used this company - http://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/ - and they were spot on with price, delivery and after care. Total cost in lounge was circa £450.

Edited by FrankAbagnale on Tuesday 6th October 10:10

Du1point8

Original Poster:

21,604 posts

191 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
FrankAbagnale said:
I know of hundreds of properties that have the same stipulations and a good number of those have laid wooden flooring.

The only time I have ever known it be a problem is when an eagle eyed neighbour sees you taking the boards in to the flat and kicks up a stink in advance.

Put some good insulation down, don't walk around in clogs/heels. I just laid some engineered/laminate wood flooring in my flat and it looks amazing in comparison to the carpet.

N.B - I used this company - http://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/ - and they were spot on with price, delivery and after care. Total cost in lounge was circa £450.

Edited by FrankAbagnale on Tuesday 6th October 10:10
which flooring and underlay did you use?

did you lay it yourself or get a fitter in?

Im think engineered wood for us.

northwest monkey

6,370 posts

188 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
It's not just the walking about though. It's furniture being moved, stuff being dropped, washing machines / dishwashers transmitting noise. Unfortunately OP, laminate/wood flooring does make a noise for your neighbours unless you spend an absolute fortune on insulating it.

My missus has a dust allergy & we make sure we vacuum and dust regularly - especially under and behind furniture. Get a decent vacuum cleaner and keep the place well ventilated. We have carpet down pretty much everywhere and if you keep on top of it then it shouldn't be a problem.

FrankAbagnale

1,700 posts

111 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
Du1point8 said:
FrankAbagnale said:
I know of hundreds of properties that have the same stipulations and a good number of those have laid wooden flooring.

The only time I have ever known it be a problem is when an eagle eyed neighbour sees you taking the boards in to the flat and kicks up a stink in advance.

Put some good insulation down, don't walk around in clogs/heels. I just laid some engineered/laminate wood flooring in my flat and it looks amazing in comparison to the carpet.

N.B - I used this company - http://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/ - and they were spot on with price, delivery and after care. Total cost in lounge was circa £450.

Edited by FrankAbagnale on Tuesday 6th October 10:10
which flooring and underlay did you use?

did you lay it yourself or get a fitter in?

Im think engineered wood for us.
I just used the standard underlay as I live in a grade two listed building and the floor is all over the place with it's levels. I didn't want much cushion as it would feel like a trampoline in some areas. I would recommend better insulation for a more modern development.

I laid it myself and it's a curved room so was a nightmare - but in a standard shaped room would be a doddle. It's quite literally click and lay with the odd bit of cutting at the edges.

If you're worried about furniture etc making noise, just put some fabric or dampers on the feet of chairs, sofas and tables. My washing machine is in a cupboard which is carpeted underneath.

Du1point8

Original Poster:

21,604 posts

191 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
FrankAbagnale said:
Du1point8 said:
FrankAbagnale said:
I know of hundreds of properties that have the same stipulations and a good number of those have laid wooden flooring.

The only time I have ever known it be a problem is when an eagle eyed neighbour sees you taking the boards in to the flat and kicks up a stink in advance.

Put some good insulation down, don't walk around in clogs/heels. I just laid some engineered/laminate wood flooring in my flat and it looks amazing in comparison to the carpet.

N.B - I used this company - http://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/ - and they were spot on with price, delivery and after care. Total cost in lounge was circa £450.

Edited by FrankAbagnale on Tuesday 6th October 10:10
which flooring and underlay did you use?

did you lay it yourself or get a fitter in?

Im think engineered wood for us.
I just used the standard underlay as I live in a grade two listed building and the floor is all over the place with it's levels. I didn't want much cushion as it would feel like a trampoline in some areas. I would recommend better insulation for a more modern development.

I laid it myself and it's a curved room so was a nightmare - but in a standard shaped room would be a doddle. It's quite literally click and lay with the odd bit of cutting at the edges.

If you're worried about furniture etc making noise, just put some fabric or dampers on the feet of chairs, sofas and tables. My washing machine is in a cupboard which is carpeted underneath.
The only issue for me is the rooms other than the kitchen, the neighbours have never complained about the noisy racket that washing machine makes on the tiles (no underlay) or that the fact the lounge is currently bare floor boards and has been for 8 years and not a single one of the 3 neighbours has ever complained.

This time I would like to try and dampen the noise down a little and be considerate for a change.

So with that taken into consideration the only area currently carpeted is the bedroom, hallway and stairs.

So it will be an improvement with which ever I choose, carpet or wood flooring.

Although the OH has been told if she wants wood flooring now... then decides we have to sell up in the next 5 years, she is paying to have carpet put down to be able to sell the property.

End of the day its OHs choice.

16v stretch

974 posts

156 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
Have you considered a closed loop kind of carpet? Something like berber?

Also, if you can reduce the humidity, you'll kill off a lot of dust mites anyway.