Flooring question

I was at a board meeting many months ago where a condo homeowner discussed an issue with the upstairs neighbor installing wood flooring and all the new noise it created. I know many people have installed wood or laminate in recent years. I own a townhouse and the unit next to me recently redid all the flooring and stairs from carpet to laminate. It now sounds like a herd of elephants lives there. The stairs are on the opposite side, not our common wall, yet I can hear when the owner is going up and down those even.

I am surprised at the noise level and would have thought there was more insulation between side-by-side units. I greatly sympathize with condo owners who have someone above them with this flooring. I have lived here almost 14 years and have rarely heard my neighbors in all that time. This place has always been very peaceful.

I am wondering if there is anyway to improve the sound proofing? Or if our neighbors should be aware of the extra noise this kind of flooring creates and possibly look at throw rugs? Any ideas?

There's certainly something that can be done. Homeowners who install new flooring can use thicker sound deadening pads between the subfloor and their new flooring surface. Adjacent residents can also install vinyl barriers that reduce noise transmission.

Here's something I found with a quick google search. I'm sure there's many more articles on the subject.

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infsoundproofingapts.html

I'm sorry but I don't agree with your response or advice on how this matter should be handled. I too am a homeowner who lives in the lower unit from a homeowner who installed hardwood floor and tile in their upstairs unit when they moved it. I have not had any peace since. I hear every footstep, every item that is dropped on their floor (my ceiling), baby crying, my lamp and frames rattle. I am often woken in the middle of the night when they walk around their unit or drop something on the floor. I have absolutely no pease.

The Board and management need to take further actions and clearly define and enforce details how this should be handled in order to restore pease to those who live in the downstairs units. Homeowners who have upstairs units should obtain Board approval prior to installing hardwood or laminate flooring. PLEASE further MUST be taken!!

You're not the first to disagree with me and you won't be the last.

In the example above, the issue is with an adjacent resident. The design, materials and build of Villagio is all on Shea Homes. They probably met the bare minimum. I'm not sure what the HOA can do in a situation like that. I live in an upstairs unit and have gone through several neighbors downstairs. Even being above them, I heard all of them stumping up the common stairs to get to their units. It's as if they had bricks tied to their shoes. What should the HOA do there? I personally accept the fact that living in such close quarters I will at times hear my neighbors. Other times when the noise goes above my threshold I make a snide comment and things quiet down for a while. YMMV

I'm sure I won't be the last to disagree either.

I know what you mean about the traffic on the stairs as I have the same situation. As I am well aware of noises or disturbances that may occur living in close quarters, this has just gone to another level. I love my home and I would love to restore the peace I once had in my unit. I have brought up the noise to my neighbor several times, even pointing out that it's because of the floors is the reason why I am being disturbed. Although there is not really much that can be done unless they have proper sound proofing installed or, better yet, have them removed. I am addressing the Board with my situation since my neighbors have placed their unit on the market. I do not want this to continue and would like to see if there can be some resolution done prior to new owners moving in. The realtor informed me that she would disclose to the new or potential buyers of the noise disturbance to my unit. YMMV??

YMMV=Your Mileage May Vary

So are you the same homeowner that came to a board meeting a few months back?

No. I am not that homeowner. I live in Building 465.

ok, got it.

So when you say you're addressing it with the board. Have you reported this to Peachtree? I don't recall discussing it in the last meeting I attended?? Although, the last meeting was cancelled, so perhaps we were meant to discuss it then...

Let me know.

I am currently in the process of writing a letter to the board and peachtree. I hope to have it submitted by the end of the week so they can address at the next meeting.

Sounds good. We have our meetings the second Thursday of every month. So you have plenty of time.

Hi Tom,

Can you please confirm if the next board meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, February 12th?

Thank you!

Hi Lucky!

I haven't heard of any changes, so I'm assuming we're on for the 12th. If there's a change, I will post it.

Should we expect you in person? Premier Pizza at 6pm.

Take care!
Tom

Hello Tom!

Yes, I plan on attending in person. Do you know if the Board has received my letter?

-Theresa

I believe they have.

Let me rephrase that. Peachtree has received your letter and I believe that it's been placed on the agenda for this months meeting.

Great! Thank you for confirming.

For the record, I approached the BOD over two years ago and asked if there were any issues/rules/limitation on installing Hard Wood Flooring on my second floor unit. There were NO objections.

If the BOD decides to make some type rules against installing Hardwood Flooring, then there needs to be some type on grandfather clause in it!

Just my thoughts...

Dave
Bldg 440

Yes, that has been brought up as an issue. It's one of the reasons that makes this such a difficult topic and heated subject.