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Footsteps, dropped keys and scraping chairs can travel easily between apartments, especially over hard floors. At Western Distributors, we help Melbourne apartment owners choose flooring and underlay that balance style with quieter living. This guide explains how impact noise works, what acoustic ratings mean, which underlay options perform best, and how to meet your building's rules before installation.
Footsteps, dropped keys and scraping chairs can travel easily between apartments, especially over hard floors. At Western Distributors, we help Melbourne apartment owners choose flooring and underlay that balance style with quieter living. This guide explains how impact noise works, what acoustic ratings mean, which underlay options perform best, and how to meet your building’s rules before installation.
More Australians are living in apartments than ever before. The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 16 percent of private dwellings counted in the 2021 Census were apartments. The same Census, as reported by ABC News, showed that about 500,000 Australians live in high rise buildings of nine storeys or more.
Shared walls and floors mean shared sound. Among all acoustic issues, impact noise through floors causes the most frustration. The Fifth Estate reports that footsteps and moving furniture on hard flooring are the leading acoustic complaint in apartments, with some residents deeply distressed by ongoing noise.
The effects can go beyond annoyance. A large study in BMC Public Health, based on residents of multi storey housing in Denmark, found that people highly annoyed by neighbour noise were more likely to report a range of mental and physical health symptoms.
There are two main types of noise to consider:
Flooring and underlay mainly help with impact noise. When a hard surface is struck, the vibration travels through the slab and into the apartment below. A resilient layer beneath the floor absorbs part of that energy before it reaches the structure.
The National Construction Code sets minimum sound insulation requirements for floors between apartments. However, many acoustic engineers believe these minimums are too low for comfortable living.
A paper presented to the Australian Acoustical Society in 2024 argued that the NCC impact sound limit of 62 dB is inadequate, and recommended tightening it to 55 dB. The authors described a building where the body corporate now requires a result of 45 dB, which aligns with a five star rating, creating conflict with the more lenient code.
That star rating comes from the Association of Australasian Acoustical Consultants, whose apartment and townhouse acoustic rating guideline is widely used by acoustic engineers and strata committees. Higher star ratings indicate better sound insulation.
Before choosing a new floor, read your building’s bylaws or rules carefully. Many schemes require approval for hard flooring and may specify a minimum acoustic performance.
Hard flooring disputes are among the most contentious in strata, and that no timber floor matches the sound insulation of quality carpet and underlay. The most strata schemes include bylaws protecting residents’ right to peaceful enjoyment of their homes.
In Queensland, the Real Estate Institute of Queensland outlines advice from the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management, noting that adjudicators often use Building Code criteria as a guide to reasonable noise levels. Rules differ between states, so Victorian owners should check their owners corporation rules and seek approval where required.
Underlay is often the most important part of an acoustic flooring system. Common options include:
The best choice depends on your flooring type, slab thickness and building requirements. Always make sure the underlay is compatible with the flooring manufacturer’s warranty.
Browse carpet underlay range at Western Distributors to compare options for comfort and noise reduction.
Each flooring type performs differently in multi storey buildings:
Acoustic ratings can be confusing. A product may perform well in a laboratory but differently in your apartment. Results depend on slab thickness, ceiling construction below and how the floor is installed.
When comparing products, ask for:
Some owners corporations also require acoustic testing after installation, so keep all product documentation.
Even with good flooring, small habits make a difference:
These small changes cost very little but can noticeably improve relationships with neighbours below.
Noise remains a major concern for apartment residents. The Owners Corporation Network has promoted UNSW research into noise issues in residential communities, reflecting how important this topic has become.
The right acoustic flooring and underlay can make apartment living quieter and more comfortable for everyone. By understanding impact noise, checking your building rules and choosing tested systems, you can enjoy the look you want without disturbing your neighbours. For expert advice on apartment flooring in Melbourne, contact us today, and our team will help you find the right solution.
What is the best underlay for apartment soundproofing?
Dense rubber or high quality acoustic underlays usually perform best, but always check results for your specific floor system.
Do I need approval to install hard flooring in an apartment?
Often yes. Many strata schemes and owners corporations require approval and minimum acoustic performance for hard flooring.
What is the acoustic requirement for apartment floors in Australia?
The NCC sets minimum impact sound limits, but many buildings require stricter ratings through their bylaws.
Is carpet quieter than hybrid flooring?
Yes. Carpet with quality underlay generally reduces impact noise more effectively than hybrid, laminate or timber floors.
Does acoustic underlay reduce footstep noise?
Yes. Acoustic underlay absorbs impact energy, reducing footsteps and other sounds transmitted to apartments below.
What does a 5 star acoustic rating mean?
Under the AAAC guideline, five stars indicates high acoustic performance, offering better sound insulation than minimum code levels.
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