Before you change the floors in a Liverpool flat, check your lease. Many leases say hard floors need a sound-reducing underlay, or that floors must be carpeted, to stop footsteps travelling to the flat below. Then choose a floor that suits a concrete floor: carpet with a good underlay, LVT or sheet vinyl. Here’s what to check and how to choose, from the team that fits carpets in Liverpool.
Check your lease first
Your lease is the document that sets the rules for your flat. Look for clauses that mention:
- Floor coverings. Some leases say floors must be carpeted, apart from kitchens and bathrooms.
- Noise or nuisance. Many leases ban anything that causes noise for neighbours.
- Consent. Some leases ask you to get written permission from the freeholder or managing agent before you change the floors.
- Underlay standards. Some leases set a minimum sound-reduction figure for underlay, usually in decibels (dB).
If anything is unclear, ask your managing agent before you order. Keep the product details for your floor and underlay, as you may be asked for them.
Why hard floors are louder in a flat
The noise that bothers neighbours most is impact noise: footsteps, dropped objects and chairs scraping, which travel down through the floor. Carpet and underlay soak up most of that impact. Hard floors don’t, so they need a sound-reducing underlay underneath to make up for it.
Choosing a floor for a concrete subfloor
Most flats have concrete floors rather than timber boards. Concrete needs to be dry, smooth and level before a new floor goes down, and new screed can take a long time to dry. We check the floor at the measure and tell you if it needs smoothing first.
| Floor | Noise in a flat | Waterproof | Best rooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet with good underlay | Quietest | No | Bedrooms, living rooms, hallways |
| LVT with sound-reducing underlay | Quiet | Yes | Kitchens, bathrooms, open-plan living |
| Sheet vinyl | Quiet | Yes | Kitchens, bathrooms |
| Laminate with sound-reducing underlay | Noisier | Water-resistant ranges only | Dry living rooms and bedrooms, if allowed |
For a closer comparison of the two most popular hard floors, read LVT vs laminate, or see our LVT flooring page.
Planning fitting day in a city-centre flat
City-centre flats can mean lifts, permit parking and long corridors. Tell us about access when we measure, so we can plan how we bring the flooring in and take your old floor away. We bring samples to your flat, so you can choose in your own light, and you get an instant quote.
A recent Liverpool job
We recently fitted marble-effect Karndean LVT through the hallway, living room and kitchen of a home in Liverpool, giving one continuous, waterproof floor across the ground floor. See more on our Liverpool carpets and flooring page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission to change the flooring in my flat?
Often, yes. Many leases include rules about floor coverings or noise, and some ask you to get written consent from the freeholder or managing agent first. Check your lease before you choose a floor.
Can I put laminate in a flat?
Sometimes. Laminate is one of the noisier hard floors, so if your lease allows hard flooring you’ll usually need a sound-reducing underlay. LVT or carpet is often the easier choice in a flat.
Is LVT quieter than laminate?
Yes. LVT is softer and quieter underfoot than laminate, and glue-down LVT in particular feels very solid. Fitted over the right underlay, it’s a popular choice for flats.
Do you fit flooring in Liverpool flats?
Yes. We measure and fit carpet, LVT and vinyl in flats and apartments across Liverpool, with no travel charge. Tell us about lifts, parking and access at the measure so we can plan fitting day.
Book a free measure in Liverpool
Book a free home measure and we’ll bring carpet, LVT and vinyl samples to your flat. There’s no travel charge in Liverpool, or call us on 01257 228 582 for an instant quote.
Book a Free Home Measure
We bring samples to your home, measure every room and give you an instant quote.
