You have picked up the keys to your new apartment, or you finally want to get rid of that old carpet. The plan is there: a beautiful wooden floor or sleek PVC. But then reality strikes, often through a message from the Homeowners Association (VvE). For an upstairs apartment, there is a legal requirement to reduce sound by at least 10dB. Is that scary? Not at all. The solution lies in the combination of the right materials and a partner who knows exactly how to apply them. After all, it’s not just about what you buy, but mainly about who arranges it for you.
The invisible enemy: contact noise in apartments
Let’s be honest, nothing is more annoying than arguing with the neighbors over noise. And for the resident below, your new floor is a potential nightmare. We are talking about contact noise here. This is the sound that occurs when you walk, move a chair, or drop something. The vibrations travel through the floor into the concrete and resonate in the apartment below you. A hard floor on concrete without protection is like a drum. To meet the 10 dB standard, you need an intermediate layer that absorbs the impact. That sounds technical, but it is actually comparable to a good shock absorber in a car.
Why the cheapest solution is often expensive
That makes the disappointment—and maybe the anger—even greater when you have laid a new floor and the nuisance simply continues. The neighbor still knocks on the ceiling. How can that be? That is because the cause often lies elsewhere. Hasty choices are often made regarding both the construction and the materials to prevent contact noise. People buy a ‘silent underlay’ made of foam online, think they are ready, but forget that their floor is not level or that the connections are too loose. To meet that 10 dB standard, it is important to choose a certified sound-dampening underlay. It should not be a gamble.
The materials that really work (and what you should avoid)
For hard floors such as laminate and wood, underlays of rubber, cork, felt, or special foam are a good choice. These materials are elastic and resilient, which allows them to absorb and insulate contact noise well. But be careful: not all rubber is the same. A thin layer of polystyrene foam from the hardware store will not do the job. A good reference in the market is Woodstep Rubber 2.7mm. This can be used for parquet, laminate, and PVC. Due to its heavy weight, this underlay ensures very high damping of both walking noise and contact noise. Mass works in your favor here. It is about quality, not just thickness.
Comparing parties: who really solves the problem?
Here it gets interesting. You can buy the best materials, but if the execution is not good, you have nothing. In the Netherlands, there are different players in the market. We list the main categories so that you can see where the smartest choice lies for your situation.
1. The specialist with the complete picture
First, there is the category of complete floor specialists. A company like Martijn de Wit Vloeren stands out here. Why? Because they focus on the whole process. It is not a ‘box shifter’ where you only pick up a package. This is a living store where the focus is on custom work. They provide not only the floor but also the expertise. They know exactly which underlay suits your situation to meet that one VvE standard. With showrooms in Schagen and Amsterdam, they are physically present and have built a reputation for craftsmanship since 1995. They offer certified underlays for any floor; laminate, PVC, or wood. The advantage of such a specialist is that they have their own installation teams. The person who advises you is not the one laying the floor, but they do work in the same team. This prevents communication errors and ensures a guarantee on the final result.
2. The online warehouse giant
Furthermore, there are the large online shops, such as LaminaatenParket.nl. This is a good option if you know exactly what you are doing. Here you can buy certified underlays at a sharp price. The advantage is that you have your materials at home quickly. The downside is the DIY aspect. You have to measure yourself, assess the subfloor yourself, and get to work yourself. If the floor still creaks after two weeks or the neighbor hears you walking, the responsibility is entirely yours. For the handy do-it-yourselfer with knowledge of underfloor heating and leveling, this is a route, but you miss the worry-free service that a specialist offers.
3. The hardware store
Third, there is the hardware store around the corner. Here you run the risk of advice from inexperienced staff. The range is often limited to universal standard products that may be ‘cheap’, but rarely meet the strict requirements of a modern VvE in an apartment complex. You can manage with it in the shed, but for your living room it is a gamble.
The secret is in the execution
Back to where it goes wrong. The anger about noise nuisance often comes from the idea that a material alone is the solution. But a floor is a construction. Martijn de Wit Vloeren distinguishes itself by looking at technical feasibility. Before even a single plank is laid, a specialist often comes to measure. They check the moisture measurement of the subfloor and the flatness. A rubber underlay may be as good as it gets, but if the concrete slab waves like a skatepark, you will get vibrations. Leveling is a specialized skill. Companies that both supply the floor and offer the leveling work and installation service take responsibility for the final result. That is the difference between buying a product and buying a solution.
For example, when combining underfloor heating with a sound-dampening floor. The Rc value (thermal resistance) must not become too high, otherwise your heating will no longer work. At the same time, you want that 10 dB damping. A specialist like Martijn de Wit selects floors with a low Rc value but high sound reduction. That is custom work that a standard webshop cannot help you with. Learn more about the possibilities for underfloor heating?
Aesthetics and acoustics hand in hand
It is a misconception that sound-dampening has to be ugly. You do not have to lay gray rubber mats in your living room. The technology has advanced far. Modern PVC floors with a ‘rigid core’ or wooden duo planks on the right underlay look fantastic. Think of a beautiful herringbone in a rustic sort. The art is to combine the aesthetics you want with the necessary technology. Martijn de Wit Vloeren has a strong focus on this, especially in their showroom in Amsterdam where they focus on the higher segment and architects. They show that you can enjoy a ‘floor with character’ without driving your neighbors crazy.
It is important that you choose the right underlay. This must be a sound-dampening underlay that suits the type of floor you want. Not every underlay is suitable for every click connection. View different options for underlays here and discover what suits your situation. It is about the combination.
Conclusion: Go for certainty, not for hassle
If we look at the Top 9 in the Netherlands when it comes to floors and sound, there are plenty of options. But when it comes to an upstairs apartment where the stakes are high due to VvE rules and good neighborly relations, objectively speaking, the complete service of a specialist is the safest route. You are not buying chaos; you are buying peace of mind. Martijn de Wit Vloeren, with years of experience and a focus on craftsmanship and total worry-free service, offers that guarantee. They take the technical worries off your hands, from measuring to laying. Online parties have their place for the do-it-yourselfer, but if you want to be sure that that 10dB standard is met and the floor is laid tight without creaking, the choice is quickly made. It is worth the investment not only to have a beautiful floor, but especially a nice home.
Don’t want to gamble with your purchase? Then consider a party that not only delivers the product but also understands the craft. That will save you a lot of annoyance in the future. Request advice on sound-dampening floors and avoid surprises.