Living in an apartment building, condominium, or basement apartment, you might find the most common noise complaint to be the one caused by your neighbours living above your apartment. The sound of footsteps, dropped objects, chair shuffling, children running, or bouncing balls can be incredibly disruptive due to its frequency and unpredictability, and we understand how frustrating this can be for you.
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Impact noise is transmitted through the building’s structural elements, such as ceilings, floors, and walls. This type of sound transmission is known as structure-borne noise.
Unlike airborne noise, which travels through the air, structure-borne noise can propagate over long distances within the building’s framework. While it often originates from the apartment directly above, it can also come from adjacent units, units several floors above, or even from apartments across the corridor.
Because of this wide transmission path, locating the true source of impact noise can be challenging without a professional acoustic investigation.
Questions about the impact noise
Clients call me with questions like:
Answering these questions is not simple; the answer is often what the questioner does not want to hear.
Can I test the noise?
Yes, I can test the noise created by the resident above the complainant. The more important question is if the test result is useful to the complainant.
First and foremost, it is impossible to reliably distinguish between noise originating from an upstairs unit and noise that is normally present within the complainant’s own apartment during a typical on-site noise test. This overlap makes the interpretation of test results difficult and leaves the findings open to dispute or challenge.
In practice, only the Impact Insulation Class (IIC) of a ceiling–floor assembly can be reliably measured. While the Ontario Building Code (OBC) does not mandate a minimum IIC value, it recommends a rating of 55 as a guideline for acceptable impact sound performance.
In reality, this level of performance is often not achieved, especially in wood-frame buildings, where lightweight construction tends to transmit impact noise more readily. Even when the IIC value meets or exceeds 55, many residents still find the resulting footstep or impact sounds objectionable, as the numerical rating does not always align with subjective perceptions of acoustic comfort.
If your condominium corporation specifies a minimum Impact Insulation Class (IIC) value — although most do not — an IIC test may be worthwhile to verify compliance with that requirement. Such testing can help confirm whether the floor–ceiling assembly meets the mandated performance level or falls short of it.
The video below illustrates the standard procedure used to conduct an IIC test and measure the transmission of impact noise through a floor–ceiling structure.
How much noise is acceptable?
There is no regulatory requirement or universally accepted standard defining how much neighbour-generated noise is considered acceptable in a multi-residential building. As a result, general noise test results have limited practical value, since they cannot be compared against any enforceable threshold.
An Impact Insulation Class (IIC) test is only meaningful if the condominium corporation or building specification explicitly requires a minimum IIC value. In such cases, the test can be used to verify compliance with that specific requirement. Otherwise, it serves primarily as a diagnostic or informational tool, rather than a basis for enforcement.
Can the management identify the noise source?
Condominium management is often not receptive to noise complaints. When a manager visits the unit, the noise may not be occurring at that moment, or the manager may consider the sounds to be normal for multi-residential living. This can be understandably frustrating for the resident experiencing the disturbance.
As noted earlier, it is not practical or useful for an acoustical consultant to attempt to record intermittent noise events. It is more effective for the resident to record the noise when it occurs and present the recording to condominium management as part of a formal complaint. A clear recording, along with a written description of the time and circumstances, can make the complaint more credible and actionable.
Because structure-borne noise travels through the building’s framework, it is often difficult for management to determine the true source of the disturbance or to prove that a particular resident is responsible for unreasonable noise.
There is no acoustic testing equipment capable of pinpointing the exact origin of this type of noise. Locating the source is largely a process of observation and elimination — essentially trial and error. The property manager may need to walk through hallways, listen for unusual sounds, and, when appropriate, request access to specific units to assess possible sources and activities.
Even with diligent investigation, there is no foolproof method for identifying the individual or apartment responsible for structure-borne noise transmission.
Can I soundproof for impact noise?
To clarify, I am a consultant. I do not do soundproofing, but I advise you on how to do it correctly. I can refer a contractor to implement my recommendations.
Soundproofing the ceiling can reduce (not eliminate) the noise from above. This requires removing the existing drywall (if present) and installing a new resiliently attached ceiling surface. In most cases, this lowers the ceiling by at least 50 mm.
The impact noise transmits to your apartment through the ceiling and walls. It is difficult to quantify the soundproofing's effectiveness by improving the ceiling. People's responses to noise are highly individual. Some clients will be satisfied with the amount of reduction, others not so much. If you undertake the soundproofing project, you must accept this fact.
If you would like to request a no-obligation quote for my advice specific to your situation, click on the button below.
