Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Using carpeting as soundproofing in private units

[Norm Gauss (normangauss11]

The important principle is not how much sound is reflected (hard surface vs.
soft surface) but how much is transmitted through the floor.  If carpeting
has sound-insulating material under it, then it will improve the
sound-transmission problem.  Otherwise, there will probably be little
difference.

When laying down a laminate floor (e.g., Pergo), there is a requirement in
most building codes that a special sound-absorbing underlayer be applied
before the laminate goes down.  It is design to minimize the clicking sound
that laminate flooring emits when walked on.

We just had laminate flooring installed in our new home, and we were told
that, if separate residences existed below ours, then we must install the
special underlayer.
The Quick-Step website explains this http://www.quick-step.com/

Norm Gauss
Oak Creek Commons
Paso Robles, CA


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Heimann" <heimann [at] WORLD.STD.COM>
To: <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 3:09 PM
Subject: [C-L]_ Using carpeting as soundproofing in private units


> Hello everyone,
>
> In designing our units, we have put in a good amount of
> soundproofing between units since we want to have a minimum of noise
> between units.  We were told, however, that the only effective way to
> minimize sound transmission between that are units above and below each
> other is to use soft flooring (carpeting) rather than hard flooring
> (hardwood, etc.) in the upper units.  Accordingly, we decided to put
> carpeting in all units that are above other units.  Those units could not
> choose to have hardwood floors even as an option.
>
> We are now in the process of writing condo documents as well as
> rules and regulations.  How do we legally require carpeting or other
> sound-deadening floor coverings in the upper level units, considering that
> otherwise the unit owners or their successors could later on remove the
> carpeting and replace it with much noisier hardwood or other hard
> flooring?  Has anyone addressed this situation and if so how?
>
> Thanks for your assistance on this question.  I hope all your
> summers are going well!
>
> Sincerely,
> David Heimann
> JP Cohousing
>
>
>
>
>
>
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