Laminate Flooring and Sound Issues
Laminate flooring is becoming more and more popular throughout the U.K. due to its cost-effectiveness, durability, and ease of installation. As good as this type of flooring is however, it does have its drawbacks. One of them relates to the sound issues resulting from installation in a second-floor room.
Traditional wood flooring and carpet both tend to have natural sound deadening properties. When you install traditional materials in a second-floor room, you may hear some movement in the room below, but it's usually subtle and not very disturbing. But the nature of laminate flooring and how it's constructed means sound travels through it very quickly. Those sound waves can disturb anyone in the room underneath. Thankfully, there are two solutions to help mitigate this issue.
Acoustic Underlayment
Acoustic underlayment is a layer of material placed between the sub-floor and your laminate. It doesn't change the volume of the sound, only the tone. It won't help much on a brand-new floor, but if applied between an existing floor and a laminate it could be just enough of a barrier to stop the sound from being heard below. If it doesn't prevent it completely, it can at least tone it down to the point where it's no longer annoying.
Homasote or Cork
Homasote is a sound barrier product developed by an American company for use in a variety of commercial and residential applications. The manufacturers of this product claim unrivalled success as a sound barrier in walls, floors and ceilings. As an added bonus, it's made of 98% recycled materials. Homasote products and been manufactured and used in the United States since 1915, when the company's first product was introduced to insulate the interior of rail road cars. In the years since, the company has developed better performing products for use by professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike.
Cork is another excellent sound deadening material that you can use underneath your laminate flooring. The Homasote company makes a cork product, but so do dozens of other manufacturers in both North America and Europe. A layer of Cork placed between the sub floor and your laminate will almost certainly stop most sound issues. Cork's acoustical properties absorb sound waves and spread them across the entire surface of the material. This is the best way to defuse the sound and keep it from reaching the rooms below.
If you plan to install laminate flooring in a second floor flat, you might want to check with the building owner before doing so. There may be local regulations or property owner preferences that prevent you from installing laminate without some sort of sound barrier.