The laying of a laminate or hardwood floor in place of carpet results in more impact noise (footsteps, dropped items) travelling into the floor. These noises can quickly become an annoyance for downstairs neighbours, often without the upper property being aware of it.
In response to a growing number of complaints about noise from laminate flooring the Scottish Executive through Defra commissioned Napier University to undertake research to investigate the problem. The research published at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/03/20901/55202 shows that removal of carpet and underlay on a basic timber floor could result in a 21 dB increase in sound transmission. The problem is proportionately worse in Scotland than in the rest of UK due to the higher proportion of flatted properties (some 40%) and the higher proportion of properties with timber joist party floors
A public information leaflet on this issue is available to download. Hard copies are available from Local authorities or by contacting the Scottish Executive on 0131 244 1521 or email noise@scotland.gsi.gov.uk