How to Reduce Noise Between Floors in a House — UK Guide

Written by our acoustic insulation specialist — 15+ years experience. About our experts.

After 15 years advising UK homeowners on floor noise problems, the most common scenario I encounter is this: someone in a two-storey house can clearly hear footsteps from the floor above — and wants to know what to do about it.

Understanding the Problem

Floor noise between levels of a house comes in two forms. Impact noise — footsteps, dropped objects, furniture scraping — travels through the floor structure itself. Airborne noise — voices, TV, music — travels through the air and then through the floor. Most domestic noise complaints involve impact noise, which is why acoustic underlay is the first line of defence.

Solutions for Houses

For a house (as opposed to a flat), you do not need to meet Building Regulations Part E unless you are converting it. This gives you flexibility. Our 6mm rubber acoustic underlay at 74dB is the most practical solution — lay it under your hard floor finish and you will achieve a meaningful, noticeable reduction in impact noise. For more serious problems, our 12mm acoustic flooring system provides both impact and airborne noise reduction.

Timber Joist vs Concrete Floors

Timber joist floors (most UK houses pre-2000) transmit more noise than concrete. For timber joists, adding acoustic mineral wool in the joist void combined with our acoustic underlay above gives the best results. For concrete floors, the underlay alone provides excellent performance.

Browse our acoustic underlay range or contact our experts for a free recommendation.