Building Regs

[Scarlett]

I’m looking to move house, but this time it has to have properly insulated /purpose built floors and ceilings so I can’t hear the flat above me speaking and walking! How can I make sure of this - is there a certain date of building where these regulations came in?

[bednobs]

move to the top floor?

[Gizmonster]

//// move to the top floor? ////

.... you beat me to it ..... or buy a house instead of a flat .... or is there a reason why this isn't possible??

[emmie]

never heard of such a reg before. i have lived here for over 40 years, and the blocks are solidly built, but i can still hear the neighbours..

[diddlydo]

Part of the problem is the fashion for laminate floors instead of carpet which deadens noise.

[emmie]

very true, neighbours have no carpet, and you can hear them hoovering at what ever hour...

[Zacs-Master]

A property built after 2003 (when approved document E which concerns passage of sound) came into force , should have better sound insulation. But in practise, you might find that there”s not much difference to slightly earlier properties, or much earlier properties which were built of sturdier materials.

[ToraToraTora]

there are no such buildings, that's the problem with sharing walls/floors. Modern buildings have a lot of insulation but you can still hear the neighbours. That's why I live in a detached house.

[ladybirder]

My flats were built 2008 and are very good. I can hear slight noise when lady above is in, sometimes. The insulation keeps the heat in and it usually falls only one degree down overnight, if that.
Purpose Built are better than conversions in my experience and I have lived in both. In one conversion I left because of the noise from above.

[emmie]

our block was built in 50's and as said is solidly built, but i can still hear the nieghbours. as been said perhaps try for a top floor apartment, that's not to say you won't still hear those from below you

[Scarlett]

Thanks all; due to my mobility it has to be ground floor- can’t do stairs. And due to my finances it has to be a flat as I couldn’t afford a house where I live. That puts me underneath someone whether I like it or not!

[emmie]

seems so....

[davebro]

A lot depends on your neighbours. I had a very noisy woman downstairs who (claimed) she was an aerobics instructor & needed to practice to loud music. Neighbours who didn't even adjoin her property complained about the noise! Since she moved out I've not heard a peep from below.

I sometimes hear the sideways neighbour if they are doing DIY or moving furniture.

My lease says rooms must be carpeted but I guess no one takes any notice of that.

[davebro]

^^^ property built 1975 ^^^

[KARL]

3Ts at 10.43 is correct, at least so far as the UK is concerned. The housing stock is of notoriously poor standard and both acoustic and thermal insulation plus other things are wanting. Your best bet is if above you there is a strong floor structure with thermal/acoustic insulation plus a second "layer", such as a false ceiling. Ladybirder points to one type of example to be avoided - conversions, unless done particularly well, essentially leave you with a ceiling which was in internal one and not one that was ever intended to separate dwellings.

[The Builder]

Scarlett... once upon a time. I built a little block of 6 flats. Three floors of two flats per floor. This was back in 1986.
We chose to use a floor construction known as "beam & block".
It uses concrete beams instead of timber ones. The beams are infilled with normal heavy concrete blocks.
The ceiling below was suspended on little stainless steel hangers.

The result is that there is virtually no sound transmission ....... whatever anyone gets up to above you.
To sum up ... you should look for a purpose built block NOT a conversion (as Karl has also mentioned.)

The worst flats ever for noise are from Georgian/Victorian buildings (to name just two.)

There are other solutions, but this method is widespread. Look for a purpose-built block from around the last forty years or so.
Good luck to you :o)

ps... yes, Building Regs do now specify measures to reduce sound, but they are nowhere near as effective as a solid concrete floor.
You may be lucky with an earlier block, as it might have been built with the old-fashioned poured concrete floors... just as good as "beam & block".

[Scarlett]

Thanks for the wisdom! I’m currently in a converted listed house - front half is Georgian and back half is Victorian. Utter nightmare! So I’ll try and find out if the next place I move to has a concrete floor- that’s the most important thing, I’m guessing?!

[The Builder]

Yes, that's right Scarlett.
It's difficult to tell just by looking. Floors all tend to look the same ;o(

When you think you've found somewhere, maybe ask a builder or surveyor to have a look to see if it does have a concrete floor.
The newer the flat, the more likely it is that there may be some local knowledge from the other flatholders.

[Zacs-Master]

Builder’s description is exactly what I meant by ‘sturdier materials’

[Scarlett]

Are you hireable, The Builder?