If you live in Ireland and want quieter floors, match the solution to the noise type and subfloor. Footsteps and furniture are impact noise — solved with dense, resilient acoustic underlays or floating systems. Voices and TV are airborne noise — often needing added mass or ceiling upgrades. For Irish apartments, carpet + high-density underlay or LVT with certified acoustic backing works best. For semi-detached homes, timber-joist treatments plus acoustic underlay are key. Thin foam underlays rarely work.
Best Choices by Scenario
| Home type | Subfloor | Noise problem | Best flooring system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment | Concrete slab | Footsteps below | Carpet + 9–11 mm rubber/PU acoustic underlay |
| Apartment | Concrete slab | Height limited | Acoustic LVT (certified Ln,w ≤ 70) |
| Semi-detached | Timber joists | Creaks + impact | Engineered wood + rubber/felt underlay + joist insulation |
| Semi-detached | Timber joists | Voices/TV | Ceiling upgrade + mineral wool (floor alone won’t solve) |
| Any | Mixed | Budget-conscious | Laminate + only high-density acoustic underlay |
1) Introduction: The Irish Noise Problem
Irish housing stock is a mix of modern concrete-slab apartments, post-war semi-detached houses, and older timber-floor builds. Noise complaints are one of the most common neighbour issues in Dublin, Cork, Galway, and commuter counties like Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow.
At FBS Flooring, based in Dublin and serving all of Ireland, we see the same mistakes repeatedly:
- Tenants installing laminate with thin foam, expecting silence
- Apartment owners blocked by management company rules
- Semi-D homeowners are treating floors when the noise travels through the walls
This guide solves that, with realistic, Irish-specific advice.
2) Soundproofing 101 for Floors (What Actually Matters)
Impact Noise vs Airborne Noise (Critical Difference)
Impact noise
- Footsteps
- Dropped items
- Chairs dragging
Travels through the structure. Measured as Ln,w (lower = better) or IIC (higher = better).
Airborne noise
- Voices
- TV
- Music
Travels through air and structure. Measured in dB reduction (Rw).
Floors are best at reducing impact noise.
Airborne noise often needs ceilings or walls treated too.
Flanking Paths (Why Noise Still Gets Through)
Even the best underlay fails if sound bypasses it via:
- Skirting boards
- Party walls
- Service pipes
- Rigid fixings
This is why floating systems with perimeter isolation gaps matter.
Why “Thicker” Isn’t Always Better
In Ireland, many apartments have door clearance limits (often 10–15 mm max).
Soft, thick foam compresses under furniture, killing acoustic performance and causing floor failure.
What matters more than thickness:
- Density (kg/m³)
- Compression set resistance
- Resilience over time
3) Apartment vs Semi-Detached: Irish Reality Check
Typical Irish Apartments
- Concrete structural slab
- Noise complaints are mostly impact noise downward
- Management company rules often specify minimum acoustic ratings
Reality check:
Floor-only solutions can work if the issue is impact noise.
Typical Irish Semi-Detached Houses
- Timber joist floors upstairs
- Noise travels through floors + party walls + ceilings
Reality check:
Floor upgrades help, but joist insulation or ceiling work is often required.
4) How to Choose the Right System (Not Just Flooring)
Subfloor Type
- Concrete slab: prioritise resilient layers
- Timber joists: control vibration + creaks first
Height & Door Clearance
- Measure before choosing materials
- Door trimming is common but not always allowed in rentals
Underfloor Heating (UFH)
- Choose low thermal resistance acoustic underlays
- Avoid thick rubber unless UFH-rated
Moisture & Irish Climate
Ireland’s humidity means:
- Concrete slabs need vapour barriers
- Timber floors need acclimation (48–72 hours)
Fire & Building Rules (High-Level)
- Apartments may require Class B fire ratings
- Always check management company specs
5) Best Soundproof Flooring Options in Ireland (2026)
1. Carpet + Quality Acoustic Underlay (Top Performer)
Best for: Apartments, bedrooms, living rooms
- Thickness: 9–11 mm underlay
- Impact improvement: ~25–35 dB (typical range)
- Cost: €35–€70/m² installed (Ireland estimate)
- Pros: Best impact reduction, warm, forgiving
- Cons: Not ideal for kitchens
2. Acoustic LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)
Best for: Apartments with height limits
- SPC vs glue-down matters
- Look for certified acoustic backing
- Improvement: ~15–25 dB
- Cost: €45–€85/m²
3. Engineered Wood + Acoustic Underlay
Best for: Semi-detached homes
- Floating install preferred
- Combine with joist insulation
- Improvement: ~14–22 dB
4. Laminate (Only with Proper Underlay)
Best for: Tight budgets
- Avoid thin PE foam
- Use high-density rubber or felt
- Reality: Never “silent”
5. Cork Floors / Cork Underlayment
Best for: Sustainability-focused homes
- Moderate impact reduction
- Sensitive to moisture
6. Rubber Acoustic Mats
Best for: Serious impact control
- Heavy, dense
- Height and cost considerations
7. Acoustic Screeds / Floating Floors
Best for: Major renovations
- Excellent performance
- High cost, disruptive
Adjacent Solution: Ceiling Upgrades
When airborne noise persists:
- Resilient bars
- Double plasterboard
- Mineral wool
6) Underlay Deep Dives
Materials Compared
- PU foam: light, budget
- Rubber: dense, durable
- Felt: stable under load
- MLV combos: mass + resilience
Reading Acoustic Ratings
- Ln,w: lower is better (EU standard)
- IIC: higher is better (US)
- Marketing “dB reduction” without context = red flag
Our Minimum Apartment Spec (Ireland)
- Density ≥ 800 kg/m³ (rubber equivalent)
- Thickness 5–10 mm
- Certified test data on concrete slab
7) Apartment Playbook (Concrete Slab)
Recommended System Stacks
- Concrete → rubber underlay → LVT → isolated skirting
- Concrete → PU/rubber hybrid → carpet
- Concrete → acoustic mat → engineered wood
Management Company Tip
Always submit:
- Underlay datasheet
- Acoustic test report
- Installation method statement
8) Semi-Detached Playbook (Timber Floors)
Step 1: Fix Creaks
- Screw loose boards
- Reinforce joists
Step 2: Add Absorption
- Mineral wool between joists
Step 3: Decouple
- Acoustic underlay
- Floating floor
When floors aren’t enough: treat party walls or ceilings.
9) Room-by-Room Recommendations
- Bedrooms: carpet + underlay
- Living rooms: LVT or engineered wood with acoustic backing
- Hallways: dense underlay, wear-resistant floor
- Home office: impact + airborne treatment combined
10) Visual System Stacks
- Apartment concrete cutaway
- Timber joist floor with insulation
- Flanking path diagram
11) Common Irish Mistakes to Avoid
- Thin foam underlay under laminate
- Ignoring door clearance
- No perimeter isolation
- Expecting floors to stop loud music
12) Budgeting in Ireland (2026)
Apartment
- Good: €35–€45/m²
- Better: €50–€65/m²
- Best: €70–€100+/m²
Semi-Detached
- Floor only: €45–€80/m²
- With ceiling work: €90–€150+/m²
Install time: 1–3 days typically.
13) Buyer’s Checklist (Printable)
- Noise type identified
- Subfloor confirmed
- Height measured
- Management rules checked
- Budget range set
14) Conclusion & Next Steps
Soundproof flooring works in Ireland when chosen correctly. Match the system to the noise, respect building constraints, and use tested acoustic materials, not marketing claims.
FBS Flooring, based in Dublin, serves all of Ireland with acoustic-focused flooring assessments and installations.
