When Jim from The House Design & Build approached us for this Victorian conversion project on Redland Hill, the vision was clear: transform a historic four-flat property into modern, stylish living spaces while preserving its original character. However, converting aged properties comes with hidden challenges that demand specialist preparation before a single piece of finished flooring can be laid.
Key Objective: Deliver an high-end finish across four self-contained flats and a high-traffic communal staircase, ensuring full acoustic soundproofing between floors and maximum durability for future tenants.
Overcoming Noise & Squeaky Subfloors
In multi-unit Victorian conversions, floor noise between flats is one of the biggest complaints from tenants. Before laying any finished flooring on the upper levels, we undertook extensive acoustic preparation. We painstakingly identified and secured every loose, creaking floorboard across the property before installing 6mm SP101 flooring-grade plywood.
To ensure top-tier sound reduction beneath the LVT, we laid mass-loaded acoustic vinyl, letting the material acclimate overnight before securing it with high-strength F. Ball F3 adhesive and rolling it for a 100% solid bond.
Durable Style for High-Traffic Living
For the kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways, the goal was to combine the warmth of modern wood-effect LVT with long-term rental durability. Because these open-plan areas receive direct sunlight, standard adhesives wouldn’t cut it. We utilized high-temperature gluedown adhesive to prevent any expansion, lifting, or shrinkage over time, fully setting the floor with a 50kg heavy roller.
On the ground floor, old ceramic tiles were completely uplifted, primed, and treated with an Ardex latex screed to create a seamless, glass-smooth foundation.
Comfort Meets Low Maintenance
Bedrooms were fitted with high-density 9mm PU foam underlay and hard-wearing polypropylene loop pile carpet. Soft underfoot for new tenants, this carpet choice is bleach-cleanable and built to withstand real daily life.
Meanwhile, the grand Victorian communal entrance and staircase were fitted with heavy-duty commercial carpet paired with built-in coir matting at the front door—designed to handle years of constant foot traffic while creating a warm first impression the moment you step inside.
