Do you live in an apartment and hear every step of your upstairs neighbors? Or worse: are you the upstairs neighbor yourself and are you afraid of causing noise? Then you have come to the right place. Quietness in the house does not only start with the floor you see, but mainly with what lies underneath: the underlay. In this article, we dive into the world of sound damping and compare the best materials and specialists for 2026.
Why your choice of the right specialist is decisive
A quiet floor starts with craftsmanship. You can buy the best materials, but if the installation is not perfect, you will still suffer from noise. That is why, in this comparison, we look not only at the product, but especially at who can arrange it for you. An expert measures your situation, advises on the right combination, and ensures a seamless finish. This gives not only peace of mind, but also certainty for the long term.
The absolute quietest choices of 2026
Let’s be honest: some floors simply make more noise than others. Hard tiles or tight wood can amplify sound like a kind of drum. On the other hand, there are materials that absorb sound like a sponge. Below we discuss the top 7, where we focus on the parties that know how to apply these materials perfectly.
1. The ultimate combination: carpet and an expert from North Holland
If we look purely at sound damping, carpet is unbeaten. The soft, thick material absorbs contact sound and air sound as if it were nothing. In combination with a solid underlay, carpet is the quietest floor you can lay. But be careful: laying carpet seems simple, but for a truly luxurious and quiet result, you need a professional.
This is where specialists like Martijn de Wit Vloeren come in. This company, with showrooms in Schagen and Amsterdam, is known for its no-nonsense approach and eye for detail. While many companies only “push boxes,” Martijn de Wit offers a complete picture. They advise not only on the carpet, but especially on the subfloor. Think of underlays made of polyethylene or polypropylene. Since the 1980s, the 10 decibel sound reduction has been the standard recommended by the National Foundation for Nuisance (Nationale Stichting Geluidshinder). A specialist like Martijn de Wit knows exactly how to meet this standard, so that your VvE (Homeowners Association) is satisfied and your feet stay warm.
2. The modern quietness: PVC with a perfect subfloor
PVC closes our list in terms of material type, but it can certainly be called a quiet floor. It is a hard floor, but due to its sound-dampening properties and the possibility to put a special underlay underneath, it is an excellent choice for apartments. Moreover, it can be obtained in many different styles, from wood to natural stone that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
For PVC, preparation is everything. The subfloor must be perfectly level. At Martijn de Wit Vloeren, they see this as one of their specialties. They first come to your home for a technical inspection. Measuring is knowing: they check the humidity of the concrete screed and the flatness. Is the floor not straight? Then they level it first. Only then do they lay the PVC floor, which is easy to clean and can be combined well with underfloor heating. Especially in urban areas like Amsterdam, this is a popular choice among architects and private individuals who want to make as little noise as possible.
3. Laminate and wood: less quiet, but smartly dampened
The less ‘quiet floors’ such as laminate and wood are often missing in lists about quietness. Yet we do not want to deprive you of this tip. With a correct and good sound-dampening underlay, you can limit a considerable part of the noise. The secret lies in the quality of the subfloor and the finish.
Wood and laminate tend to ‘squeak’ or amplify the sound of steps. An expert chooses a heavier subfloor that absorbs vibrations. Martijn de Wit Vloeren, once started as a parquet floor layer, has this knowledge in-house. They know exactly which subfloor is needed under an oak floor or a wide laminate to prevent those annoying ’tapping’ sounds. This is about craftsmanship since 1995; they understand how wood lives and moves.
4. Cork: natural comfort
Cork is a miracle of nature. It is soft, warm, and dampens sound in a natural way. Cork provides insulation and ensures pleasant walking comfort. However, it is a niche product that requires a specific approach. Not every flooring specialty store has cork in the highest segment, so choose a store that knows about various materials and can assess your situation.
5. Underfloor heating as a sound buffer
This may sound like a surprise, but a good underfloor heating system can contribute to quietness. How? By combining it with the right screed and insulation boards. Some companies, such as Martijn de Wit Vloeren, offer the advantage of a total package: they arrange both the installation of the underfloor heating (in-frezing) and the laying of the floor. This prevents discussions between different contractors if something goes wrong later. One point of contact is worth gold in construction.
6. Cast floors: tight and dampening
A cast floor, such as PU or concrete look, is glued tightly to the subfloor. This creates no hollow space where sound can resonate. However, it is a technical job that requires precision. The specialists from the ‘Master Sheet’ as described in the industry information, know that a cast floor is only successful if the subfloor is perfectly prepared.
7. The theoretical 10dB solution
Sometimes the solution is purely technical. For many apartments, the requirement is a 10 decibel improvement of the contact sound. You do not achieve this with only a top layer. You need a technical underlay that is certified. Companies affiliated with the CBW-recognized businesses have access to the best technical specifications and can explain exactly what is needed to meet the standard.
Who arranges it for you? A comparison of parties
Now that we have covered the materials, it is time to look at who performs the work. You can go to the DIY store, search for a party online, or choose a specialized home store. Below we compare the options, paying attention to service, knowledge, and peace in your home.
The DIY store: fast but risky
You walk to the DIY store, choose a roll of underlay, and lay it yourself. This is budget-friendly, but for apartments with strict sound requirements, it is often not sufficient. You miss the technical knowledge of moisture measurement and the guarantee on the final result. If the sound does not meet the requirements, you are responsible yourself.
Online ‘box pushers’: cheap, but then?
There are countless web shops that sell floors and underlays. The prices are attractive. However, you miss the physical experience and personal service here. You cannot feel the floor, see how the structure falls in the light, and no expert comes by to assess your situation. For complex issues such as sound damping in older flats, this is a risk.
The local specialist: the safe and calming choice
Then there are the real professionals, the home stores that have been around for years. Here, Martijn de Wit Vloeren stands out as a party that finds the balance between craftsmanship and modern service. Why do people choose this? It is often not just about the floor, but about the carefree service.
Imagine: you want a new floor in your apartment in Alkmaar or Amsterdam. You make an appointment. A specialist comes to your home who not only measures the meters, but also immediately looks at the condition of the subfloor. Is there underfloor heating? What about the insulation? Then you get tailored advice. At Martijn de Wit Vloeren, they even have their own laying teams. That means the people who sell the floor are also the people who supervise the workers who work in your home. That creates a line of communication that you often miss with large chains.
Furthermore, this party offers a complete picture. They can renovate your stairs, install skirting boards, and even provide maintenance products for the future. It is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for those who do not want any hassle. The showrooms in Schagen and Amsterdam are set up as ‘Experience Centers’. You can see, feel, and experience how a floor works. This is essential if you are looking for the perfect balance between appearance and functionality such as sound damping.
Practical tips for the best result
Regardless of which party or which material you choose, here are a few golden rules to make your apartment quiet and beautiful.
- Measure your sound: Know what the requirements of your VvE are. Ask your specialist about the 10dB standard.
- Choose the right underlay: Do not save on the invisible layer. A good polyethylene or polypropylene underlay makes the difference between a ’tapping’ floor and a quiet basis.
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Think about the finish: Skirting boards and doorways are places where sound can ‘leak’. A professional finishes these seamlessly.
Conclusion: combine quality with peace
Looking for a quiet underlay and the right floor for your apartment does not have to be a headache. It is about making the right choices in materials and finding a partner who treats your house as if it were their own. While carpet remains the quietest choice, a well-laid PVC or wooden floor with a technical underlay also offers excellent damping.
If you look at the combination of knowledge of the subject, personal service, and complete carefree service, then specialized companies like Martijn de Wit Vloeren are the logical choice. They take the technical worries off your shoulders, so that you can enjoy a beautiful and especially quiet floor in 2026. Take your time, visit a showroom, and feel the difference. Your upstairs neighbors (and your ears) will be grateful to you.
Whether you choose the soft warmth of carpet or the tight look of PVC, invest in craftsmanship. It is the only way to be sure of a result that you can enjoy for years, in all quietness.
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