Comments on: Reader Question – Hardwood Floors in a Second Floor Condo http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/ The official blog of the World Floor Covering Association - wfca.org Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:28:58 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: mark http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/comment-page-1/#comment-3803 mark Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:11:01 +0000 http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/#comment-3803 I live downstairs from a unit with wood floors. It is horrible, despite an underlayment with a respectable IIC rating. BEWARE - the IIC rating does not reflect sound below 100 Hz (the deep thuds) and once structure borne, travel great distance. There is ample literature on this online and many horror stories like mine. Be considerate and do not install wood floors unless you're in a steel concrete structure and have done your homework. This is a huge problem and the cause of many disputes. I live downstairs from a unit with wood floors. It is horrible, despite an underlayment with a respectable IIC rating. BEWARE – the IIC rating does not reflect sound below 100 Hz (the deep thuds) and once structure borne, travel great distance. There is ample literature on this online and many horror stories like mine. Be considerate and do not install wood floors unless you’re in a steel concrete structure and have done your homework. This is a huge problem and the cause of many disputes.

]]> By: Ted http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/comment-page-1/#comment-190 Ted Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:00:52 +0000 http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/#comment-190 Once dried in a week or so, Green Glue is done "drying." It doesn't lose properties over time. Common polymers are degraded by heat and UV rays, something that a wall or floor will not be subjected to. You will have much better success damping (converting to heat) a vibration than blocking it. Best approach is a combination of efforts / techniques. Once dried in a week or so, Green Glue is done “drying.” It doesn’t lose properties over time. Common polymers are degraded by heat and UV rays, something that a wall or floor will not be subjected to.

You will have much better success damping (converting to heat) a vibration than blocking it. Best approach is a combination of efforts / techniques.

]]> By: FloorFella http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/comment-page-1/#comment-192 FloorFella Thu, 29 May 2008 21:57:05 +0000 http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/#comment-192 Vince, yes cork is good. There are some waffle textured corks which minimize contact points to reduce structural vibrations being propagated into the floor/ceiling section. There are also some rubber/cork composites out there that work great as well as some thinner materials like cross-linked polyolefin and polyethylene roll-stock products that can often provide moisture barriers as part of a two-layer composite. Most of these are effective. Not so sure about a water based adhesive. Vince, yes cork is good. There are some waffle textured corks which minimize contact points to reduce structural vibrations being propagated into the floor/ceiling section. There are also some rubber/cork composites out there that work great as well as some thinner materials like cross-linked polyolefin and polyethylene roll-stock products that can often provide moisture barriers as part of a two-layer composite. Most of these are effective. Not so sure about a water based adhesive.

]]> By: Vince Salerno http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/comment-page-1/#comment-191 Vince Salerno Thu, 29 May 2008 21:24:02 +0000 http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/#comment-191 cork is one of the best sound deadners out and works well with laminate cork is one of the best sound deadners out and works well with laminate

]]> By: FloorFella http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/comment-page-1/#comment-189 FloorFella Wed, 28 May 2008 20:26:04 +0000 http://floortalk.wfca.org/2008/05/27/reader-question-hardwood-floors-in-a-second-floor-condo/#comment-189 What happens when the Green Glue dries and loses it's viscoelastic properties? What is the Impact Insulation Class (IIC) with this setup and how long will it maintain the specification? There are many tried and tested materials for under floating, glue down and nail-down hardwood surfaces. Most flooring installers should be able to help you choose the right product and meet code requirements for the IIC. What happens when the Green Glue dries and loses it’s viscoelastic properties? What is the Impact Insulation Class (IIC) with this setup and how long will it maintain the specification? There are many tried and tested materials for under floating, glue down and nail-down hardwood surfaces. Most flooring installers should be able to help you choose the right product and meet code requirements for the IIC.

]]>