Floor noise

nakamu919

Just enclosed covered deck that was constructed on post and pier. Floor is 2x8s w/ 3/4" plywood on top. No insulation or anything under. Flooring not down yet, and neighbor is complaining that kids running on bare floor sounds like hammers pounding. Got half way through installing laminate floor with regular foam like underlayment, and neighbor again complained when kids were playing on the new floor. I saw a noise reducing underlayment at Home Depot, which may help a little, but I doubt will completely solve the problem. Don't need to completely eliminate noise because he is a neighbor, and not living on floor below or anything, but I want my kids to be able to play without bothering them. Would appreciate any suggestions on how to sound proof floor at this point.

RickyBobby

Adding insulation underneath if it is accessible could help.

Batt insulation and some foam board could absorb some of the sound. I would also think that a sound dampening underlayment as you mentioned could help.

Once the floor is down and furniture is moved in it should also take out some of the echo that is probably bothering the neighbor.

Interesting to see other peoples take on this.

Good luck with the neighbor!!!

Leah Frances

My Grandmother used to tell us we sounded like a 'Herd of Elephants'. But, we were running around on the second floor.

Maybe if you gave us an idea of the geography of the situation it might help. Ie. it is hard from your OP to tell how your neighbor is subjected to the thundering footsteps of your children.

__________________
If I could only remember to THINK about what I was doing before I did it.

jerryh3

Are you absolutely sold on the laminate? If not, return it and get some cheap carpet until the kids get a little older.

Scuba_Dave

Kids make noise.....did you pull a permit ?
Neighbor as in house....Apt or condo ?
So the underside is open...probably amplifying the sound
That is probably your problem
Insulate it & close in under the floor

tpolk

does the bottom of the porch open to the neighbors below? you live above them?

nakamu919

Thanks for the ideas. Carpet would work because other room exactly the same and no sound problems, but kids love laminate floor in grandma's house, so wanted to put it in. This is in Hawaii so I don't need to insulate under floor for hot/cold reasons. I did get a permit. Neighbor is in separate single family structure about 10 feet away. Below floor is easily accessible so I could close it in. Bottom of floor about 3' above ground on the side facing the neighbor. Thanks again for the help.

firehawkmph

I visited Hawaii once back in the early 90's. I thought you weren't supposed to spend much time indoors there. Get the neighbor some ear plugs and one of those little wave machines that make sounds like the ocean.

Mike Hawkins

Bud Cline

I can understand wanting to get-along with the neighbors but "c'mon man." Maybe the neighbors need to get a life. Tell them to turn up the TV.

Scuba_Dave

You could just close off the side facing the neighbors
Just bring the siding down to near the ground
Or something like a small solid fence
That way the noise will be blocked

IceT

Just tell them that it is the floors way of communicating..

Really you can get special underlayments for laminate that can deaden the sound.. not found at home depot.. but a real store.. flooring retailers know what is good for condos and you can use that.