Hi, We moved into a postwar coop building two years ago. (apartment's previous occupant was an old lady, who had never done any renovation). We gut renovated the whole place, soundproofed our floor and walls. There was 30 year old parque flooring in living & foyer. bedrooms were carpeted (which was peeling). We put sound-proof layer (Sound Control Underlayment) under our new engineered wood... [more]
Hi,
We moved into a postwar coop building two years ago. (apartment's previous occupant was an old lady, who had never done any renovation). We gut renovated the whole place, soundproofed our floor and walls. There was 30 year old parque flooring in living & foyer. bedrooms were carpeted (which was peeling). We put sound-proof layer (Sound Control Underlayment) under our new engineered wood flooring. Now we have covered about 60% of the apartment with carpets. especially the walkways. The neighbor downstairs is very sensitive & has started complaining (I guess the apartment was seldom occupied before us, so she is not used to any sound). My question is - isn't our sound-proof layer considered as 100% carpeting? We have that layer & new wood planks. The board is siding with the neighbor, just because of 80% rule - which was put in the contracts 50 years ago and should be changed. Please advise.
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Response by 300_mercer
over 6 years ago
Posts: 10570
Member since: Feb 2007
It is a great question assuming one can prove to the board that there is soundproofing under the wood floor. While for the coop, it is purely board’s discretion on whether they will consider carpeting and how they defined carpeting in the house rules, I would love to know whether this sound proofing layer qualifies as “carpeting” legally.
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Response by Aaron2
over 6 years ago
Posts: 1698
Member since: Mar 2012
Carpet is not underlayment, even if they perform similar functions. If the building rule says '80% covered with carpet', then that's the criteria, and you either meet it or you don't, on a measurable sq.ft. basis, regardless of your new soundproofing and wood floor. You should objectively demonstrate to the board that the underlayment prevents the transmission of noise to the same extent that carpet does, and then you will have a case to make that the downstairs neighbor is a sensitive crank. Unless you spent a *lot* of money and engineering time, generally a carpet with pad will win over underlayment when it comes to walking on a hardwood floor in heels (or a kid bouncing a ball).
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Response by 300_mercer
over 6 years ago
Posts: 10570
Member since: Feb 2007
Aaron, Thank you for clarifying. While there are very good underlayments now which combined with a plywood subfloor on top of concrete subfloors are sufficient, it seems that the unit owner will need to make a case.
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Response by stache
over 6 years ago
Posts: 1298
Member since: Jun 2017
Julie you are facing an uphill battle.
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Response by Anton
over 6 years ago
Posts: 507
Member since: May 2019
especially your down stairs neighbor often pay the freaking managing agent to give you hard time
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It is a great question assuming one can prove to the board that there is soundproofing under the wood floor. While for the coop, it is purely board’s discretion on whether they will consider carpeting and how they defined carpeting in the house rules, I would love to know whether this sound proofing layer qualifies as “carpeting” legally.
Carpet is not underlayment, even if they perform similar functions. If the building rule says '80% covered with carpet', then that's the criteria, and you either meet it or you don't, on a measurable sq.ft. basis, regardless of your new soundproofing and wood floor. You should objectively demonstrate to the board that the underlayment prevents the transmission of noise to the same extent that carpet does, and then you will have a case to make that the downstairs neighbor is a sensitive crank. Unless you spent a *lot* of money and engineering time, generally a carpet with pad will win over underlayment when it comes to walking on a hardwood floor in heels (or a kid bouncing a ball).
Aaron, Thank you for clarifying. While there are very good underlayments now which combined with a plywood subfloor on top of concrete subfloors are sufficient, it seems that the unit owner will need to make a case.
Julie you are facing an uphill battle.
especially your down stairs neighbor often pay the freaking managing agent to give you hard time