August 2018
When built, condo buildings are required to meet minimum building code standards. These standards can be inadequate when flooring is changed from absorbent flooring material like carpets which prevent sound from migrating through a building.
The current popularity of hardwood and similar flooring means that sound can more easily travel from one condo suite to another.
Some condo boards have established minimum standards for sound control when flooring is changed. These standards, described as IIC or FIIC ratings, denote the ability of material to reduce noise. When these standards exist for a condo building, condo owners choosing to renovate a suite are responsible for ensuring all material they utilize meets the minimum established standard.
When effective, these standards can mitigate the amount of airborne sound travelling through windows, doors, floors, vents and walls. It also mitigates the level of impact sound – such as from furniture or walking across a floor – that travels beyond a suite.
The higher test rating a material receives the better it is at sound reduction. A carpeted floor can have a FIIC rating of about 70.
Actual results of sound control efforts depend on building construction. A suspended ceiling, not typical in most condo buildings, creates an air pocket that helps improve sound control.
No material is likely to provide perfect results in a condo building containing hundreds of residents and their personal lifestyles along with mechanical rooms, elevators and exercise areas with weights and other equipment.
