Footsteps, chairs sliding, kids running, neighbours below complaining—noise is one of the biggest flooring issues in condos and multi-level homes around Toronto and the GTA. The right flooring and underlayment can dramatically reduce that noise, but only if you understand how sound ratings, materials, and installation all work together.

This guide explains, in practical terms, how to make your floors quieter in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, and surrounding cities—whether you’re in a condo with strict bylaws or a three-storey house where sound travels between levels.

Why Floors Are So Noisy in Condos and Multi-Level Homes

Most noise complaints come from:

• Impact noise: Footsteps, kids running, chairs dragging, objects dropping.
• Airborne noise: Voices, music, TV sound traveling through floors and ceilings.

In condos and stacked townhomes, you typically have:

• Concrete slabs: Hard, reflective surfaces that transmit impact noise efficiently.
• Minimal layers: Often just concrete + a thin underlayment + flooring.
• Shared neighbours: People below you hear more than you think.

In multi-level houses and semis, noise moves:

• From upper floors down to main floors (kids, pets).
• Between rooms with open staircases and thin subfloors.

Good sound performance is less about one magic product and more about: flooring + underlayment + subfloor + installation working together.

Understanding STC and IIC in Simple Terms

You’ll see these two ratings in condo bylaws and underlayment brochures:

• STC (Sound Transmission Class): Measures how well a floor/ceiling assembly blocks airborne sound (voices, TV, music).
• IIC (Impact Insulation Class): Measures how well it reduces impact sound (footsteps, chair movement, dropped items).

Higher numbers generally mean better performance, but there are a few important points:

• STC and IIC are ratings for the entire system, not just the underlayment.
• Values measured in a lab can be different from real-world performance.
• Many condo boards specify a minimum IIC/STC that your flooring system must meet.

When you’re comparing underlayments and flooring products, look for:

• STC and IIC ratings for the tested assembly (e.g., “6" concrete slab + XYZ underlayment + laminate floor”).
• Clarification that the test used a concrete slab, since that better reflects condo conditions.

How Flooring Material Affects Noise

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and SPC

Vinyl and SPC can be relatively quiet underfoot, especially with quality underlayment:

• Impact noise: Better than many rigid surfaces when paired with a good underlay.
• Airborne noise: Hard surfaces still reflect sound; rugs help a lot.

Click-lock vinyl over a proper acoustic underlayment is a very common condo choice in Toronto & the GTA because it balances sound performance, water resistance, and durability.

Browse vinyl and SPC flooring | Read the vinyl & SPC guide

Laminate Flooring

Laminate can be noisier if installed over the wrong underlayment, but it can perform well with the right system:

• Impact noise: Floating laminate can “click” or sound hollow without good underlayment.
• Solution: Use high-quality acoustic underlayment specifically designed for laminate and, in condos, that meets STC/IIC requirements.

In many GTA condos and multi-level houses, upgrading the underlayment makes a big difference in how laminate feels and sounds.

Explore laminate flooring | Read the laminate buying guide

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood can be installed as a floating floor or glued down:

• Floating over underlayment: Similar sound considerations to laminate; the underlayment is critical.
• Glue-down: Often quieter underfoot because the floor is firmly attached to the subfloor, but still benefits from the right system and sometimes acoustic adhesives or membranes.

In higher-end Toronto condos, engineered hardwood with the right acoustic system is a common solution that balances sound, performance, and resale value.

Browse engineered hardwood | Read the engineered hardwood guide

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood is usually nailed or stapled to wood subfloors in houses, not condos. It can:

• Transmit impact noise between levels if there’s no additional sound treatment.
• Benefit from area rugs and underlayment systems below the subfloor, but those are more involved projects.

View solid hardwood flooring | Read the solid hardwood guide

The Role of Underlayment in Quiet Floors

Underlayment is often the biggest lever you have to improve sound without changing the entire structure of the building.

What acoustic underlayments do:

• Absorb some of the impact from footsteps and dropped objects.
• Reduce the “drum” or “hollow” sound under floating floors.
• Help meet condo sound requirements when properly selected.

Types of underlayments commonly used:

• High-density foam or rubber composites designed for sound control.
• Cork underlay (used in some systems).
• Multi-layer systems that combine moisture barriers with acoustic layers.

Not all underlayments are equal. For condos and multi-level homes, look for products that:

• Are specifically rated for use with your flooring type (vinyl, laminate, engineered).
• Provide tested STC/IIC ratings over a concrete slab.
• Are acceptable under your building’s bylaws.

Read: Underlayment & Subfloors Guide (Toronto & GTA)

Condo Bylaws and Approval: What You Need to Check

Before you install new flooring in a condo, always check:

• Minimum STC/IIC requirements: Often specified in the building rules.
• Approved materials: Some buildings restrict or prohibit certain types of flooring.
• Underlayment rules: They may require specific types or thicknesses.
• Approval process: You may need to submit product data sheets before work begins.

Failing to meet these requirements can lead to:

• Noise complaints from neighbours.
• Requests (or demands) to change or upgrade your flooring system.
• Insurance or warranty complications if damage occurs.

When in doubt, get written confirmation from your property manager or condo board that your chosen flooring + underlayment system is acceptable.

Read: Condo Flooring in Toronto & the GTA – Complete Guide

Making Floors Quieter in Multi-Storey Houses

Even without condo bylaws, many Toronto and GTA homeowners want quieter floors between levels.

Simple improvements:

• Use acoustic underlayment under floating vinyl, laminate, or engineered hardwood.
• Add rugs and runners in hallways and above bedrooms.
• Avoid very hard, thin underlayments that don’t absorb impact.

More involved solutions (for major renovations):

• Adding resilient channels and additional drywall on ceilings below noisy floors.
• Upgrading insulation between joists.
• Using specialty acoustic membranes in full floor/ceiling assemblies.

Most homeowners start with underlayment and rugs—lower cost, no structural work, and still noticeable benefits.

Room-by-Room Soundproofing Tips

Living Room / Main Living Area

• Use an acoustic underlayment under floating floors.
• Add a large area rug with a quality rug pad in seating zones.
• Use furniture and soft furnishings (sofas, curtains, bookshelves) to absorb airborne noise.

Bedrooms (Especially Above Other Units or Rooms)

• Choose softer-feeling options with good underlayment: vinyl/SPC or laminate with acoustic underlay; engineered hardwood over acoustic systems.
• Use rugs near the bed and in common walking paths.

Condos with Neighbours Below

• Prioritize products with tested STC/IIC ratings over concrete.
• Use thicker or higher-density acoustic underlayments approved for your flooring type.
• Consider glue-down systems for engineered hardwood if recommended, as they can feel more solid underfoot.

Common Soundproofing Mistakes

• Choosing floors by look only: Ignoring underlayment and sound ratings can lead to noisy, echoing spaces.
• Using the wrong underlayment: For example, a soft foam under vinyl that voids warranties or doesn’t actually help sound.
• Ignoring condo rules: Installing floors without checking STC/IIC requirements can cause problems later.
• Expecting silence from floors alone: True soundproofing often involves the entire floor/ceiling assembly, not just the top layer.

Putting It Together: Practical Recommendations

For most projects in Toronto & the GTA:

• Condos over concrete: Vinyl/SPC, laminate, or engineered hardwood with high-quality acoustic underlayment that meets building STC/IIC requirements.
• Multi-storey houses: Use acoustic underlayment under floating floors on upper levels, and rugs/runners in high-traffic areas.
• Basement suites: Vinyl/SPC with underlayment to help with both sound and comfort.

Shop vinyl and SPC flooring | Shop laminate flooring | Shop engineered hardwood | Shop solid hardwood

Need Help Choosing a Quiet Flooring System?

If you’re planning a condo renovation or updating floors in a multi-level home in Toronto or the GTA, it’s worth getting advice before you commit. Contact Top Floorings and tell us about your building type, subfloors, and noise concerns—we can recommend flooring and underlayment combinations that keep your home quieter and your neighbours happier.

FAQ: Soundproof Flooring in Toronto & the GTA

Will underlayment alone soundproof my floor?

No. Underlayment can significantly reduce impact noise and improve comfort, but true soundproofing involves the entire floor/ceiling assembly. Underlayment is an important piece of the puzzle, not the whole solution.

What STC/IIC ratings should I look for?

Requirements vary by building. Many condos target IIC ratings around 60 or higher, but you must check your specific bylaws. Higher numbers are generally better, but they must be achieved by the whole system, not just the underlayment.

Is vinyl quieter than laminate?

Vinyl/SPC is often a bit quieter and softer underfoot than laminate when both are installed over appropriate acoustic underlayment. However, the underlayment choice and installation quality play a huge role for both materials.

Can I install hardwood in my condo if I want quiet floors?

Many condos restrict solid hardwood but allow engineered hardwood with specific underlayment. Engineered hardwood can be part of a quiet floor system when paired with the right acoustic products, but always get written approval from your building before installing.