If I lay down a lot of rugs in my apartment (I AM ON THE 3rd FLOOR SO I HAVE SOMEONE UNDER ME). No complaints as of yet but I want to turn it up a bit will laying out alot of rugs help or not? If you have a better idea please help!THANKS!
Generally, refinishers charge $4 to $5 a square foot to sand and refinish hardwood floors, more if they add multiple coats of sealer. I would recommend against laying tile down over hardwood without taking it up first. A tile floor should have an underlayment of 1/2-inch hardibacker and a float (1/4-inch or so) of leveling compound before laying the tiles. This provides a good, solid surface that won't flex (tiles and grout won't crack from walking on it). Tile will run you about $5 to $6 a square foot for installation. This doesn't include the cost of the tile itself or the removal of the old floorboards, though. Good ceramic tile will run at least $4 a square foot.
It may help to muffle the noise but will not soundproof the space. If you're looking to turn up the TV or stereo bear in mind that there is little you can do to prevent noise transfer without having a building that is constructed to address noise control. If your floors are concrete you are in luck because there is much less sound transfer with concrete that other type of floors. Wood substrates in converted or older buildings can create major noise issues for tenants. If you share walls with your neighbors putting in foam insulation pads (like those used to control cold air) at the electrical outlets and switches may help a tiny bit. Keeping stereo/TV speakers away from shared walls should also help. You may consider putting speakers on a stack of old towels to reduce sound transfer through the floor. Your best bet may be to talk to the resident(s) beneath you and ask that they call you if the noise is too much. Discussing it up front can create good will with your neighbors and help keep you aware of what is considered reasonable. See link below for more detailed info on sound control issues in apartments. Good luck.
This Site Might Help You. RE: Will laying alot of rugs down soundproof the floor? If I lay down a lot of rugs in my apartment (I AM ON THE 3rd FLOOR SO I HAVE SOMEONE UNDER ME). No complaints as of yet but I want to turn it up a bit will laying out alot of rugs help or not? If you have a better idea please help! THANKS!
The rugs will reduce reverberation and echo within your property and may reduce some footfall noise transferring to the apartment below (in the areas where you have the rugs) but I'm afraid it will do very little to improve the sound insulation performance of the floor itself. Sound insulation performance has more to do with weight/mass than thickness! The heavier that you can make the floor the better. There are proprietary underlay systems on the market that you could install onto the floor but their suitability depends on what the existing construction is.
