In apartments, the noise you’re usually fighting is impact sound footsteps and dropped objects travelling to the unit below. The best fix is a combination: a good acoustic underlay plus a floor that isn’t too hard and clicky, installed to meet your building’s acoustic rating. Carpet is quietest, but if you want hard flooring, hybrid or vinyl with a quality acoustic underlay is the sweet spot. Here’s how to get it right (and keep your owners corporation happy).
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Quick Answer: What Actually Reduces Noise
- A dedicated acoustic underlay rated for impact sound.
- A floor that isn’t rock-hard and hollow underfoot.
- An install that meets your building’s required acoustic rating.
- Sealing edges and using the right transitions to stop sound leaks.
Impact Noise vs Airborne Noise (What You’re Fighting)
| Type | Example | Best defence |
| Impact noise | Footsteps, dropped items | Acoustic underlay + softer floor |
| Airborne noise | Voices, TV, music | Mass and sealing (walls, gaps) |
In apartments, impact noise to the unit below is the big one and it’s exactly what the right underlay targets.
Acoustic Ratings Explained (What Your Building May Require)
Many apartment buildings have acoustic requirements in their by-laws, often referencing ratings like AAAC star ratings or lab measures such as impact sound insulation. In plain terms: your floor build-up has to prove it reduces footstep noise by a certain amount. Before you buy, check what your owners corporation requires it decides which underlay and floor you’re allowed to use.
Best Flooring Types for Sound Reduction
| Flooring | Noise performance | Note |
| Carpet | Quietest | Best for impact noise |
| Hybrid + acoustic underlay | Very good | Popular hard-floor choice |
| Vinyl (LVT/SPC) + underlay | Very good | Soft, quiet underfoot |
| Laminate | Okay | Can sound clicky without good underlay |
| Tile / timber | Hardest / loudest | Needs strong acoustic layer |
Best Acoustic Underlays and How to Choose
- Look for underlay specifically rated for impact sound reduction.
- Rubber and high-density foam underlays generally perform well.
- Make sure it meets your building’s required rating on paper.
- Confirm it’s compatible with your floor (and doesn’t double up on pre-attached underlay).
Meeting Strata / Owners Corporation Requirements
This is the step people skip and regret. Many buildings require you to submit an acoustic report or use an approved underlay before you install hard flooring. Getting this right upfront avoids complaints, disputes, or being asked to pull the floor up later.
Installation Tips That Maximise Sound Reduction
- Use the full acoustic build-up the rating requires don’t cut corners.
- Leave proper expansion gaps and seal edges neatly.
- Use soft transitions at doorways.
- Add rugs in high-traffic zones for an extra buffer.
Getting apartment flooring right is part product, part paperwork and both matter. At Flooring Expert, we help you choose a floor and acoustic underlay that meet your building’s rating, so it’s quiet, compliant, and complaint-free. Ask about our free buying consultation and we’ll help you tick every box before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the quietest flooring for apartments?
Carpet is quietest, but hybrid or vinyl with a good acoustic underlay is the best hard-floor option.
Do I really need acoustic underlay?
In most apartments, yes and your building may require it by the by-laws.
What’s impact noise?
Sound from footsteps and dropped objects travelling to the unit below the main apartment issue.
What acoustic rating do I need?
It depends on your building. Check your owners corporation’s requirements before buying.
Is laminate too noisy for apartments?
It can sound clicky without a good underlay. Choose a quality acoustic underlay if you go laminate.
Can I install hard flooring without approval?
Often no many buildings require approval or an acoustic report first.
Does underlay help with voices and TV noise?
Not much, that’s airborne noise. Underlay mainly targets impact sound.
Do rugs actually help?
Yes, in high-traffic areas they add a useful extra buffer against footstep noise.
Related guides
- Light vs Dark Floors | Which Colour Is Right for You?
- What Is the Best Flooring for Apartments Under Strata Rules?
- Differences Between Commercial and Residential Flooring Guide
- Clear Signs It’s Time to Repair or Replace Your Flooring
