There is a particular type of homeowner worry that is uniquely London, and that is the worry of the person living below.
In a city where Victorian and Edwardian conversions are so prevalent, the thin wooden joists that were adequate for the needs of a single family are now expected to serve as a sound barrier between two or three contemporary apartments. So, when you choose to replace your flooring, you are not simply making a design choice; you are solving an acoustic problem.
At Floor Direct Ltd, we have witnessed the negative consequences of poor choice and the positive consequences of good choice. Continue reading to know the best laminate and underlay combinations.
- The High-Traffic Pair: 12mm Laminate + 3mm Rubber Crumb
For living areas and corridors where there is constant foot traffic, the most effective combination would be a 12mm heavy-duty laminate floor coupled with a 3mm rubber crumb underlay.
The thickness of the 12mm laminate gives a solid, wooden feel, while the rubber crumb, commonly used by professional flooring specialists in London, is thick enough to dampen the effects of heavy impact.
Unlike foam, rubber will not bottom out, so your kitchen to lounge transition will be level and noise-free for years to come.
- The Uneven Floor Solution: AC5 Commercial Grade + Fibreboards
In many London conversions, the floors have settled over time, creating a slight dip in the original floorboards. In such instances, the best pairing is not a roll of underlay but wood-fibre boards, which are rigid, and an AC5 commercial-grade laminate.
The wood fibreboards will work as a leveling compound, evening out the subfloor irregularities of up to 3mm, while the AC5 laminate has a rigid construction that won’t bounce with the irregularities.
- The Bedroom Comfort Pair: 8mm AC4 Laminate + Gold Foil Foam
In bedrooms, where warmth and walking noise (the noise inside the room itself) are of prime importance, we would recommend a high-quality 8mm AC4-rated laminate flooring product along with a 5mm gold foil underlay.
The additional thickness of the gold foil underlay creates a thermal barrier against draughts, which are common in older London apartments. This combination is often a highlight during a laminate flooring sale in the UK, offering a cost-effective way to make a drafty upper-floor room feel cosy while still meeting standard noise reduction requirements for residential flats.
Conclusion
At Floor Direct Ltd, we do not believe in the one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to London homes. This is why our showroom at 208 Essex Road boasts over 500 different styles, and we can show you how these combinations work so that you can hear the difference for yourself.
Are you unsure of what type of subfloor you are dealing with? Visit us today.