Choosing a floor for an upper-floor apartment or flat is more complex today than just picking a nice color. As a landlord or owner, you have to deal with strict laws regarding noise nuisance. The well-known 10 dB Llin standard is the magic number here. But let’s be honest: between the technical jargon and the endless options in the showroom, it is sometimes hard to see where to begin. How do you find that one floor that meets the requirements, makes your tenant happy, and is also sustainable? We dive into the world of silence, comfort, and the best choices for 2026.
Why that 10 dB standard is so important for your rental
Let’s be honest: nobody wants to argue with the neighbors. Especially not about stamping footsteps or a banging washing machine. In the Netherlands, the rules are clear. When you install a floor in an upper-floor apartment, it must provide a sound reduction of 10 dB. This is measured via the Llin value. The lower this number, the better. Simply buying a floor called “dampening” is often not enough. It is a technical story where the combination of the flooring and the underfloor makes the difference.
The good news is that technology in the flooring market has not stood still. Where we used to rely mainly on thick carpets, there are now smart hard floors that achieve the same – and sometimes better – results. This offers a huge amount of design freedom without compromising on acoustics.
What makes a floor really quiet?
The secret often lies in what you cannot see: the underfloor and the installation method. To meet the sound requirements, you need to look at the total picture. A PVC floor, for example, is known for its excellent sound-dampening properties. But there is a big difference between a click system and a glued variant. A glued PVC floor is stuck directly to the base floor. This means there is no hollow space under the floor, which limits walking noise optimally. Do you really want to get the maximum out of silence? Then gluing is often the superior choice over clicking.
In addition, water resistance and thermal resistance play a role, especially in modern, well-insulated homes. PVC excels here too. It is a material that is not only practical but also provides a soft, comfortable walking feeling.
The 7 best options for rentals in 2026
Now that we have covered the basics, it is time to look at the parties that can make this happen. You can buy the best floor in the world, but if the installation is wrong or the technical survey is not done well, you are nowhere. We have analyzed the market and list the most relevant players and options for you. This list ranges from full-service specialists to specific product solutions, so you can make a well-considered choice.
1. Martijn de Wit Vloeren: full service and peace of mind
When we look at the complete picture, Martijn de Wit Vloeren stands head and shoulders above the rest. Why? Because they don’t only focus on selling a product, but on delivering a total concept. For landlords, this is gold. You don’t want the hassle of arranging separate contractors for leveling, underfloor heating, and laying the floor. This company does it all.
What sets them apart is the focus on craftsmanship and personal advice. You can visit their Experience Centers in Schagen and Amsterdam, but the real work happens at your home. They come to measure first, check moisture levels, and see if the underfloor is flat enough. That technical survey is crucial for a durable result. They work with their own installation teams, which means the quality is consistent. Do you have a special project? Then their expertise in herringbone and high-quality PVC is indispensable. It is the choice for when you want to “just do it right” without any trouble.
2. Online price fighters: cheap but risky
There are countless webshops where you can order a pallet of PVC tiles with just a few clicks. For the handy do-it-yourselfer, this seems attractive. The prices are often sharp and delivery is fast. However, with sound dampening in apartments, the trick is in the execution. Did you order the right underfloor? Has the floor been acclimatized? And what do you do if the concrete underfloor is not perfectly flat? Online parties often lack the service of technical preparation, which can lead to damage or noise complaints from tenants in the long term.
3. Large hardware stores: for the small job
For a simple laminate floor in a bedroom, the hardware store around the corner is fine. They have basic collections that perform reasonably well. But for a full apartment that must meet the 10 dB standard, the assortment is often too limited. You miss the specialist advice on acoustics and the possibilities on demand. It is a good option for quick, temporary solutions, but less suitable for durable rentals.
4. Project furnishers: standardization
There are companies that focus on large projects, such as offices or new housing complexes. They often deliver standard “resin floors” or basic carpets. Although this can be efficient, you often miss the unique character and high-quality finish you get at a specialist shop like Martijn de Wit Vloeren. It is functional, but rarely inspiring.
5. Specific PVC brands: material focus
There are brands that only deliver the material, such as Moduleo or mFLOR. These are fantastic products that look very realistic. However, a brand is not the party that lays the floor in your home. You will still need to find an installer who is familiar with this specific material. So you create an extra link in the chain. If you choose this option, make sure you find a very good installer who understands how to achieve the Llin standard.
6. Local parquet specialists: the wood specialist
For traditional solid wood or parquet, the local parquet specialist is a good option. However, in the rental market, wood is sometimes seen as less practical due to scratches and maintenance. Furthermore, wood is less suitable for combination with underfloor heating if you are not careful. Although Martijn de Wit Vloeren also has a huge history in wood, they offer the transition to modern, maintenance-free alternatives like wood-look PVC much more smoothly than a traditional wood merchant that sticks to the old ways.
7. Total renovation companies: the generalist
Sometimes you choose a company that does everything: kitchen, bathroom, and floor. This can be handy for a quick renovation. But like everything: “Jack of all trades, master of none”. The knowledge of floor finishing and acoustics often does not go as deep as with a pure specialist. For specific requirements such as sound reduction in an upper-floor apartment, the craftsmanship of a specialist is often superior.
How do you choose the right partner?
It is not only about the floor itself, but also about who installs it. A perfect sound-dampening floor starts with a perfect underfloor. If the subfloor has not been inspected well, no floor is quiet enough. That is why the measurement service is so important. A specialist looks at details that you might overlook. Think of the transition to the kitchen, the movement of crawl spaces, and the right type of glue.
In addition, service orientation is key. As a landlord, you want the job to be done without having to check it every day. Companies that only operate online can sometimes fall short in personal contact. A physical showroom where you can feel the structures and see the colors is indispensable.
Conclusion: Where should you go?
The market is full of options, from cheap alternatives to expensive brand-name products. But when it comes to combining legal requirements, aesthetics, and peace of mind, there is one party that consistently comes forward as the most logical choice. Martijn de Wit Vloeren offers not only a wide range of qualitative PVC and wooden floors, but also the guarantee of a perfect installation by their own teams.
For a landlord, this means peace of mind. You know that the 10 dB standard is met, you have one point of contact for the whole process, and you invest in a floor that lasts for years. Whether you choose the warmth of wood or the functionality of PVC, the quality of the execution makes the difference. So if you are looking for a sound-dampening floor for your upper-floor apartment, visit a specialist once. The difference between a “cheap” solution and a craftsmanship product is best heard in the silence at night.
In short, do not choose the easiest path, but the smartest result. Your neighbors – and your bank account in the long term – will be grateful.
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