Lately, the carpet in our bedroom has really been bugging me. Thanks to two teenagers who love nothing more than a good preen that mostly involves being sprayed with (and conspicuously missing) countless lotions and potions, make-up splattered all over the place and constantly knocking over drinks, they’re starting to look really bad. Then there’s the dog who, in his old age, looks like he could run his own house, and who I often find curled up in the master bedroom leaving a mound of fur.
More and more, I’m thinking that other Types of flooring – i.e. wooden floors – would be much easier to keep clean but, practically speaking, is it a good idea?
The carpet is soft underfoot and protects the floor from the sound of footsteps and loud phone exchanges between teenagers and their friends. Even with that, you can clearly hear the sounds from above when you are sitting down, so I consulted the experts for their advice.
Is wood flooring upstairs a good idea?
we have Engineered wood flooring in a number of rooms on the ground floor of our house and I love how easy it is to keep clean, as well as the fact that it doesn’t absorb pet odours. I really like the idea of using it for us Bedroom flooring But I’m worried that it will mean that the downstairs gets really noisy when anyone walks up there.
At Ian Tomlinson, MD Chaunceys Timber FlooringThere are some reassuring words for me. “Wood flooring can work exceptionally well upstairs, but the key is to think about acoustics rather than an afterthought. One of the biggest misconceptions is that choosing a hard floor automatically means you have to live with sound transfer throughout the home, when in fact the right installation approach can make a significant difference.”
At Adam Robertson, MD Urban LivingIt is agreed that, when installed correctly, wood flooring can be a great option for upstairs spaces. “Wood flooring can work very successfully on upper floors, provided the installation is approached correctly from the start. The biggest factor in managing noise is not necessarily the flooring itself, but what sits beneath it.”
Chaunceys Timber Flooring is a family run company based in Bristol and in 2012 Ian became Managing Director. They have been supplying durable, high-quality wood flooring to homeowners, award-winning architects, design and build firms and renowned interior designers since 1988.
Adam Robertson is co-founder and managing director of Urban Living, a specialist flooring company recognized for its expertise in timber, bespoke carpets and runners. With a background in design and a strong eye for detail, Adam is passionate about all things quality wood, from floorboards to wall panels.
How do you properly soundproof wood flooring?
One of my main concerns is getting the carpet and Fitting engineered wood flooring That would mean that the noise of anyone upstairs would be louder than before. Is this something I have to accept?
According to Ian Tomlinson, if I want peace and quiet down below, I should focus on the underlay. “The most important factor in reducing sound transfer is the underlay. A high-density acoustic underlay helps isolate the flooring from the subfloor, limiting vibrations that carry noise into the room below.”
Adam Robertson points out that when the flooring is laid is also important Soundproofing ceiling. “For a high-quality installation, I would always recommend having the wood floor fully bonded to the subfloor, rather than opting for a floating installation. This makes a real difference in both underfoot feel and acoustic performance.”
What type of underlay is best for wood flooring upstairs?
such as when choosing The best underlay for carpetsThe underlay you use under wood flooring is more important than ever when installing a home upstairs.
“There are two main options to consider,” advises Adam Robertson. “The first is cork and rubber underlay, although it’s worth knowing that this requires double the amount of adhesive as you’ll need to glue the underlay to the subfloor.
“Another option is a premium acoustic panel, which usually has a hard top surface, often MDF, which allows you to bond the wood floor directly to it,” he explains. “Both are effective, but the choice will often come down to the specifics of the project and the subfloor you’re working with.”
“Standard foam underlays seem like a cost-effective option, but they rarely provide the level of acoustic performance required on upper floors,” adds Ian Tomlinson. “Look for high-quality rubber, compressed fiber, or cork-based acoustic underlays that are specifically designed for upstairs installations and independently tested to reduce impact noise.”
Rubber cork 2mm acoustic and thermal underlay for floor and soundproofing
The combination of cork and rubber brings with it fantastic acoustic properties along with brilliant thermal properties, meaning this underlay is ideal for laying under wooden flooring in the bedroom. Each roll covers 10m².
Does wood flooring need a separate sub-base for carpet?
Our carpet is laid upstairs on old wooden floorboards, with an empty space underneath. While fitting the underlay seems pretty easy, I’m wondering if I should take other steps as well.
“When homeowners are looking to reduce travel noise Children’s bedrooms or busy family spaces above – which is a very common concern – the overall floor construction becomes just as important as the flooring,” explains Adam Robertson.
“A floor build up that includes Mineral wool insulation Between the joists, plywood over the joists and a fully bonded timber frame on top will provide excellent sound insulation for most homes,” continues Adam.
“Add some well-placed rugs and soft furnishings, and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy the character and practicality of wood flooring upstairs, without compromising comfort or acoustics.”
Buy rugs in the bedroom
Luxury Deep Pile Hand Woven Pure Wool Rug
Available in seven subtle colorways, this rug is ideal for throwing down in upstairs bedrooms with hard flooring thanks to its luxuriously thick pile. It comes in a range of sizes up to 300 x 200cm.
Available in a range of sizes, up to 200 x 290cm, and in a range of beautiful colours, this cozy mattress promises a cloud-like experience thanks to its 5cm deep shaggy pile – making it perfect for bedrooms.
GENIMO 160X230cm Green Washable Rug
If I’m throwing down a rug on a wooden floor in my bedroom, I need it to be washable. This vintage-style can go straight into the washing machine. It comes in sizes up to 240 x 300cm.
FAQs
Is solid or engineered wood flooring better upstairs?
There are two main ones Types of wood flooring: solid and engineered.
Solid wood flooring, as the name suggests, is made entirely of solid wood, cut into planks. Engineered, on the other hand, is made of a top layer of solid wood – varying in thickness – bonded to several layers of high-density fiberboard (HDF) or plywood.
“We generally recommend engineered wood flooring for upper floors as it offers excellent stability and is less prone to movement over time, which can help reduce the risk of cracks developing,” says Ian Tomlinson. “Installation methods also play an important role, with glued installations generally providing better acoustic performance than mechanical fixing methods.”
Whichever type of flooring you decide to put on the upper floor of your home, make sure that you most common Flooring mistakes People make it so you can avoid doing the same. And, if you already have sticky floors Upstairs, make sure you correct the problem before fitting new flooring.
