Project Overview
This project in Walworth involved fitting engineered wood flooring with an acoustic underlay across the main floor of a first-floor flat. The clients had an older, worn floor that they wanted to replace with a stylish but practical alternative. They chose a rustic-grade engineered oak for its character and warmth, and our recommendation to use a high-performance acoustic underlay was accepted immediately, given their concern about noise impact on the flat below. The job covered the living room, hallway and two bedrooms.
The Challenge
The main challenge on this project was meeting the building's noise reduction requirements while also keeping the floor height increase to a minimum. High-performance acoustic underlays are thicker than standard foam underlays, which adds height. In this flat, several doorframes had limited clearance and we had to confirm the finished floor height before proceeding to ensure doors would clear the new surface. A couple of doors required the bottoms trimming once the floor was in, which we carried out on site.
Our Approach
- Strip-out: The old flooring was removed and the subfloor inspected for level and stability.
- Door height check: All internal doors were measured against the planned finished floor height to identify which ones would need trimming.
- Acoustic underlay: The specified acoustic underlay was laid and taped at all joints to form a continuous layer, providing both impact sound and thermal insulation.
- Engineered wood fitting: Rustic oak engineered boards were laid using a floating click-lock method, maintaining consistent expansion gaps at all walls and fixed points.
- Door trimming: Two internal doors were planed along the bottom edge on site to clear the new floor level.
- Trims: Matching beading and transition strips were fitted throughout to give a clean finish at all edges.
The Result
The finished floor looked excellent and the acoustic performance was immediately apparent -- the clients noticed a significant reduction in the hollow sound underfoot compared with the previous flooring. The rustic oak character added warmth and personality to the rooms. Engineered wood flooring supply and fit in London typically costs between £35 and £60 per square metre depending on the grade and profile chosen, with acoustic underlays adding a modest premium over standard products. The overall result was a floor the clients were very happy with and that met all the building's requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does all flooring in flats need an acoustic underlay?
Most leases for flats in England and Wales include a requirement for floor coverings to meet a minimum impact sound reduction standard. We always recommend checking your lease before fitting and can advise on underlay specifications that meet typical requirements.
What is rustic grade engineered wood?
Rustic grade boards include a greater number of natural features such as knots, colour variation and grain character. This is different from prime or select grade, which is more uniform. Rustic grade is popular for its warmer and more natural appearance.
Can engineered wood be fitted over underfloor heating?
Yes, engineered wood is generally more stable than solid wood and well suited to use over underfloor heating systems. Board thickness and species affect how efficiently heat transfers through, and we can advise on the best options at the survey stage.