Background
Impact noise from an upstairs neighbour — like footfall, moving furniture, or children playing — is one of the most common and frustrating complaints in flats and shared buildings.
In many cases, the tenant below cannot access the room above, meaning traditional underlay or floor insulation solutions aren’t possible.
This case study outlines how a targeted solution was developed using Sound Insulation Store products to significantly reduce impact noise transmitted through the separating floor — even when the floor above cannot be modified.
Client Situation
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Location: Riverside Housing, Esterbrooke Street, Westminster, London - Residential apartment block
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Issue: Multiple noise complaints from tenants in three blocks of flats in Central London, caused by persistent footfall and impact noise on separating floors.
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Constraint: No access to the floor above for installing acoustic underlay
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Goal: Reduce noise transfer into the lower apartment without modifying upstairs flooring
Our Approach
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Acoustic Survey
Our team analysed the complaint and through sample testing of the exisiting floor and ceiling determined the noise source was predominantly impact noise — footsteps and dynamic loads — being transmitted through the floor slab into the neighbour below. -
Product Specification
After assessing the structure, we recommended a high-performance acoustic ceiling solution suitable for installation entirely from the underside — perfect for situations where the room above can’t be accessed. -
Installation
Installers fitted the selected system from below, using a Metal Frame system, infilled with acoustic rockwool, to decouple sound and isolate noise paths before attaching dBoard - a heavyweight acoustic layer to dampen impact noise from below. -
Post Testing
A sound test was carried out after installation to measure the upgraded ceiling's performance.
Pre Testing:
Sound Insulation Store carried out sample acoustic testing in Esterbrooke, Chapter and Regency Street. The results concluded that the acoustic performance of the exiting separating floors were consistently poor across all three streets as they are the same structure.
Sample Results:
| Separating Floor | Airborne | DnTw + Ctr | = 37 Db FAIL (6 db below current building regulations) |
| Separating Floor | Impact | LnTw | = 72 Db FAIL (8 db below current building regulations) |
Products Used
| Purpose | |
|---|---|
| MF Suspended Ceiling | A decoupling system to isolate the floor structure, decoupling sound paths with acoustic hangers and reducing vibration transmission. |
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100mm Acoustic Slab Insulation installed into the void created by the MF ceiling, reducing low frequancy noise and reverbiration, like putting a pillow into a kickdrum. |
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| dBoard | A high density fermacell board, backed with mass loaded vinyl for sound dampening. Insalled onto an MF Frame to improve low-frequency impact noise reduction. |
| Siniat Fire Board was used to finish, using scrim tape and joint compound before painting. This plasterboard provides additional mass for noise redution and superior fire resistance. | |
| The perimeter was sealed with acoustic sealant to isolate noise from flanking down the walls above. |
Tip: The choice of layers and fixings was selected for ease of installation from below without requiring access to the upstairs apartment.
Results
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| Separating Floor | Airborne | DnTw + Ctr | = 51 Db PASS (8 db above current building regulations) |
| Separating Floor | Impact | LnTw | = 56 Db PASS (8 db above current building regulations) |
After installation, the following improvements were noted:
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Footfall Impact Noise Reduction: 16 db uplift in impact performance.
- Airborne Noise Reduction: 14 db uplift in airborne performance.
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Occupant feedback: Significant reduction in perceived noise from footsteps and movement, both the tenants and Riverside Housing were delighted with the results.
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No disruption to upstairs tenant: All work conducted from below without alteration to the floor above
Note: Typical untreated separating floors can transmit footsteps and mid-to-high frequency impact noise very effectively; adding mass, decoupling, and resilient layers interrupts these sound paths.
Technical Highlights
| Impact Noise Reduction | 14–16 dB improvement* |
| Installation Access | From below only |
| System Type | Decoupled acoustic ceiling assembly |
| Typical Floor Type | Timber separating floor |
| Time to Install (per room) | 1–2 days |
*Results may vary depending on structure and finishes — always consult an acoustic professional for precise design.
Why This Solution Works
Impact noise travels through rigid structures very efficiently. When walking above a bare concrete floor or timber floor, the impact force creates vibrations that pass into the structure and are heard below. This system ecuces sound transmission by:
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Adding mass (to block the transmission of vibrations),
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Decoupling layers (to interrupt the mechanical transfer of energy), and
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Using resilient fixings (to isolate floor elements from one another).
- Acoustic Insulation (to stop sound reverbirating through noise paths).
Client Feedback
“We heard a noticeable difference as soon as the work was finished. The noise from upstairs reduced dramatically — and we didn’t need to disturb the neighbours above.”
— Satisfied customer, Residential Block (Anonymous)
About Sound Insulation Store
Sound Insulation Store is the UK’s specialist supplier of high-performance acoustic materials and solutions — from impact noise reduction systems to sound-proofing membranes and underlays. Our products are designed for real-world problems where ease of installation, durability, and acoustic performance matter.
Frequently Asked Questions - Acoustic Ceiling Treatment
Can you reduce footstep noise from upstairs by treating the ceiling below?
Yes, footstep and impact noise from an upstairs neighbour can often be reduced by installing a specialist acoustic ceiling system from below. The best results usually come from a system that adds mass, creates separation from the existing structure and reduces vibration paths through the ceiling.
Is it better to treat the floor above or the ceiling below?
Where possible, treating the floor above is usually the most direct way to reduce impact noise because the treatment is closer to the source of the problem. However, if the upstairs neighbour will not allow access, a ceiling soundproofing system installed from below can still provide a practical and effective solution.
What types of upstairs noise can ceiling soundproofing help with?
A properly specified acoustic ceiling system can help reduce impact noise such as footsteps, children running, chair movement and general banging from above. It can also help reduce airborne noise, such as voices and television noise, depending on the existing structure and the system installed.
Will soundproofing my ceiling completely remove noise from upstairs?
No soundproofing system can honestly guarantee complete silence, especially with impact noise. The aim is to significantly reduce the noise so it becomes less intrusive. Final results depend on the existing floor and ceiling construction, installation quality, flanking noise paths and the type of noise being created above.
Do I need access to the upstairs flat?
No, not necessarily. One of the main benefits of a ceiling soundproofing solution is that the work can be carried out from the room below. This is ideal for flats, apartments and situations where the upstairs neighbour is unwilling or unable to change their flooring.
How does an acoustic ceiling system reduce impact noise?
Impact noise travels through rigid building structures as vibration. A good acoustic ceiling system works by adding mass, separating the new ceiling from the existing structure, using acoustic insulation in the void and sealing weak points around the perimeter. This helps interrupt the path that vibration and sound use to travel into the room below.
What products are usually used to soundproof a ceiling from upstairs noise?
A ceiling soundproofing system may include an acoustic frame or acoustic hanger system, acoustic mineral wool in the ceiling void, high-mass acoustic boards, plasterboard and acoustic sealant around the perimeter. The exact specification should be chosen based on the existing construction and the type of noise problem.
Can ceiling soundproofing help with Part E sound testing?
Yes, a correctly designed ceiling upgrade can help improve the acoustic performance of a separating floor where sound testing is required. However, every building is different, so the system should be specified carefully and, where needed, verified with pre-completion sound testing.
How much ceiling height will I lose?
The amount of ceiling height lost depends on the acoustic system used. Decoupled ceiling systems usually need enough depth for the frame, insulation and acoustic board layers. A technical adviser can help choose the most suitable build-up based on the available ceiling height and the level of noise reduction required.
What should I do before choosing a ceiling soundproofing system?
Before choosing a system, try to identify whether the main issue is impact noise, airborne noise or both. It is also worth checking the ceiling construction, ceiling height, access, lighting, pipework and any possible flanking noise paths. If the project needs to meet a specific acoustic target, a sound test or acoustic assessment is recommended.
Need Help Soundproofing a Ceiling From Noisy Upstairs Neighbours?
Speak to our technical team for help choosing the right ceiling soundproofing system for footstep noise, banging, voices or impact noise from above.
