If I move to the top floor, will I completely escape floor noise

Living in an apartment, many people have probably thought at least once:

“If I move to the top floor, will I completely escape floor noise?”

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The conclusion

It’s half true and half false.

While noise from upstairs is completely eliminated,
inter-floor noise itself does not disappear entirely.

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1. Does the top floor solve floor noise?

There is a common misconception.

✔ What is true

• Since there is no unit above,
  impact noises such as footsteps or running (“foot stomping”) are eliminated

✔ What is not true

• Noise from lower floors, neighbors, and structure-borne sound still exists

 In other words,
“Only upstairs noise disappears; floor noise itself does not.”

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2. Noise from lower floors can travel upward (Important)

This actually happens in real cases.

People move to the top floor expecting quiet,
but still hear children running from the floor below.

Why does this happen?

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3. The reason: wall-type structure

Most apartments in Korea use a wall-structured system.

Key characteristics:

• Sound travels not only through floors but also through walls
• Vibrations spread both upward and downward

In reality,
floor noise can travel across multiple levels above and below a unit

This is why a “reverse transmission” phenomenon occurs,
where noise from lower floors is heard above.

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4. Types of noise still heard on the top floor

Even on the top floor, it is not completely quiet.

① Impact noise from below

• Children running
• Objects dropping

Vibrations travel upward through the structure

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② Noise from neighboring units

• Furniture dragging
• Doors slamming

Transmitted through walls

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③ Mechanical/utility noise (often overlooked)

• Elevator vibrations
• Plumbing noise
• Machinery room noise
  Transmitted through the entire structure

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④ Rooftop-related noise

• Rain, wind, thermal expansion sounds
• Equipment (ventilation fans, etc.)

 Unique to top-floor units

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5. Advantages of living on the top floor

There are still clear benefits:

• Complete elimination of upstairs noise
  (This is significant—about 80% of noise complaints come from above)
• Better privacy
• Improved sunlight and views
• Generally quieter environment

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6. But there are also disadvantages

Choosing the top floor solely for noise can lead to regret.

✔ Downsides

• Noise from lower floors still exists
• Hot in summer, cold in winter (insulation issues)
• High dependence on elevators
• Possible mechanical noise

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7. Who should consider the top floor?

✔ Recommended for:

• People stressed by upstairs impact noise
• Those highly sensitive to noise

✔ Not recommended for:

• Those expecting complete silence
• Those sensitive to structure-borne noise

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8. Realistic conclusion

The top floor is not a complete solution to floor noise,
but rather an option to eliminate upstairs noise.