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First up, this is nothing to do with a home theatre, but someone suggested the AVS forum as somewhere that had knowledgeable members who could explain this to me.
Question:
Before I complain to the local government office, can someone check my decibel calculation for me?
According to the research I've done so far laminate flooring with underlay has a protection level of 25dB on average versus carpet flooring with underlay offering a protection level of 53dB - a difference of 28dB. Tiles have a protection level of 23dB versus vinyl with underlay which has a protection level of 40dB - a difference of 17dB.
I have used a smart phone app to do a rough measurement (cheap sound meter on order from Amazon), and I think I understand this bit - the 'resting rate' in our bedrooms at 11pm-ish is about 40dB. The stomping noise in their living room shoots up to mid 70s; the chair dragging is worse, high 70s. So if they add carpet, which is an extra 28dB of protection, I should be back around a quiet bedroom mark?^
For the other two bedrooms below the kitchen, it's not as good
Background story if you're interested:
My OH and I brought an apartment last year. It is classed a 'new build' as we are the first people to live in it, even though it was built five years ago (recession in Ireland). We fitted out the kitchen, the bathrooms etc and moved in happy. It is a three bed duplex, with the living area on the lower floor and the bedrooms on the upper floor.
The apartment above us was brought by a social housing association recently (FYI in Ireland they like to spread the social housing out across all areas, in the hope the occupants of social housing will be inspired and motivated by the rest of their community), and they did their own fit out, which is bad news. The living area of this apartment is directly above our bedrooms, and we are being kept awake at night until 2am by one of the the occupants who work shift work. Then we get woken up early in the morning by the other occupant who also does shift work. We get less than 5 hours sleep a night as our ceilings vibrate with chairs being dragged across our ceiling and heavy footwear stamped across it as well. I understand this is 'impact noise'.
The requirements set down by the government building regulations and the managing board of the apartments state that sound must be deadened. The social housing association installed laminate in the living room, and tiles in the kitchen. We followed the rules and got high specification underlay and mortar/adhesive, which cost more, so not only are we tired but we are feeling foolish for having spent the extra money.
We appreciate everyone needs to have a life, but we also need some sleep. We don't see why we should miss out on a good nights sleep just because the social housing trust is too cheap and nasty to install decent underlay.
Question:
Before I complain to the local government office, can someone check my decibel calculation for me?
According to the research I've done so far laminate flooring with underlay has a protection level of 25dB on average versus carpet flooring with underlay offering a protection level of 53dB - a difference of 28dB. Tiles have a protection level of 23dB versus vinyl with underlay which has a protection level of 40dB - a difference of 17dB.
I have used a smart phone app to do a rough measurement (cheap sound meter on order from Amazon), and I think I understand this bit - the 'resting rate' in our bedrooms at 11pm-ish is about 40dB. The stomping noise in their living room shoots up to mid 70s; the chair dragging is worse, high 70s. So if they add carpet, which is an extra 28dB of protection, I should be back around a quiet bedroom mark?^
75 -28 = 48
Stomping less carpet protection equals new sound rating.
Not perfect, but a big improvement?Stomping less carpet protection equals new sound rating.
For the other two bedrooms below the kitchen, it's not as good
78 - 17 = 61
Chair dragging less lino protection equals new sound rating
Can anyone tell me if I understand sound / decibels or am I confused? I'm not sure I'm applying this right.Chair dragging less lino protection equals new sound rating
Background story if you're interested:
My OH and I brought an apartment last year. It is classed a 'new build' as we are the first people to live in it, even though it was built five years ago (recession in Ireland). We fitted out the kitchen, the bathrooms etc and moved in happy. It is a three bed duplex, with the living area on the lower floor and the bedrooms on the upper floor.
The apartment above us was brought by a social housing association recently (FYI in Ireland they like to spread the social housing out across all areas, in the hope the occupants of social housing will be inspired and motivated by the rest of their community), and they did their own fit out, which is bad news. The living area of this apartment is directly above our bedrooms, and we are being kept awake at night until 2am by one of the the occupants who work shift work. Then we get woken up early in the morning by the other occupant who also does shift work. We get less than 5 hours sleep a night as our ceilings vibrate with chairs being dragged across our ceiling and heavy footwear stamped across it as well. I understand this is 'impact noise'.
The requirements set down by the government building regulations and the managing board of the apartments state that sound must be deadened. The social housing association installed laminate in the living room, and tiles in the kitchen. We followed the rules and got high specification underlay and mortar/adhesive, which cost more, so not only are we tired but we are feeling foolish for having spent the extra money.
We appreciate everyone needs to have a life, but we also need some sleep. We don't see why we should miss out on a good nights sleep just because the social housing trust is too cheap and nasty to install decent underlay.
