The first step with a condo installation is to figure out what your subfloor is made of. Pull up a corner of the carpet and see what’s under it. If the subfloor is made of concrete, then you won’t be able to install either a nail down or staple down hardwood floor and will need to stick with either a glue down or floating hardwood floor. If the subfloor is made of wood, then you can choose either a nail down, staple down, or floating hardwood floor.

Since most condo's nowadays use engineered hardwood, you’ll need to turn your attention to an underlayment. Underlayment is a protective pad that is placed between the hardwood floor and the subfloor which protects the hardwood against moisture and reduces the transmission of sound to your neighbors as you walk along the floor itself. If you don’t have the right underlayment, then your neighbors will be able to hear everything that you’re doing upstairs.

Most North American condo boards require a Sound Barrier underlayment to reduce sound transmission.

Another option to consider is to install a cork floor. Not only do cork floors look great, they also provide great sound protection between you and your neighbor.

One last reminder for condo installation: be sure to check your condominium by-laws and building code prior to installing any hard surface floor.