Rental Property Investor · Cleveland, MN · Member since 2017 · 518 posts · 354 votes
I have 2, second floor apartments that I'll be renovating starting in July when the current renters move out. I would like to use vinyl plank, but am wondering what is the best underlayment to help with the noise? I know vinyl doesn't need it but want the extra noise reduction.
Investor · Tenafly, NJ · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 1 vote
9y
I have a 2 family house in NJ and prior owner had some noise issues from the second floor to the first floor. It used to have a carpet with a think foam below, but I remove it because it was old and you could heard the noise.
I removed the carpet but left the original hardwood floor. Proceed to install a very heavy rubber mat about 1/2 inch thick, and install plank vinyl on top of it. I bought the rubber mat online for $1,200 to cover 600 feet area. and it weight about 500 pounds. And you still could heard some noise!! So I am going to ask 2nd floor tenant to place area rugs to help. So I have 3 different heavy floors and still is not enough!!
Net, noise is a tough on in multi families. If you install vinyl, I will have some serious type of acoustic barrier.