New Flooring in the Choir Loft
  • Pax
    Posts: 11
    Hi everyone,

    We are doing a remodel of the choir loft in my church and I am trying to discern the best flooring to put in. Currently we have carpet so that will be going away. (Praise God!). I am leaning toward laminate flooring paired with a hard underlayment. I know it’s not quite hardwood in terms of acoustic warmth but it's more durable and lower maintenance. From what I’ve gathered, it also performs better acoustically than vinyl.

    I’m hoping this setup gives us a solid balance — a good acoustic environment without the upkeep of real wood.

    Does anyone have experience with this? Anything else I should be considering?
    Any products recommendation, pitfalls to avoid, or other tips?

    Thanks in advance for any input!
  • Quaerens
    Posts: 11
    Hi Pax,
    In my experience laminate is very "loud" when it comes to shoes, people/music stands moving around, or things being dropped. Solid hardwood (not engineered) doesn't react to movement/impact with the same loud hollow noise. It is also more durable--it can in 10-15 years be sanded down and refinished if necessary. With the right finish, maintenance should be about the same.
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  • davido
    Posts: 1,018
    The harder the floor material, the better the acoustic. Stone>ceramic tile>hardwood. Any of these options are ideal, but vinyl would be better than carpet.
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  • francis
    Posts: 10,955
    We just installed a brand new hardwood floor (beech I think) in our choir loft. It really is the best option I think because it’s easier on the posture, not a hard reflection, it looks absolutely stunning and is refinishable.

    https://www.junckershardwood.com/wood-flooring/solid-hardwood-flooring/beech-wooden-flooring
  • francis
    Posts: 10,955
    Nope. It’s birch not beech.
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  • canadashcanadash
    Posts: 1,516
    We have linoleum and laminate. It is very loud, especially when people wear a "harder" shoe, or any kind of heel.
  • mmeladirectress
    Posts: 1,111
    not wanting to sidetrack this thread, from which i am making notes, but i have a side note to add, in case anyone finds it helpful -

    in our little loft (some variety of oak flooring, circa 2003), I'm using a DIY fix for furniture noise / wear.

    Fabric shops & online sources sell 1" Velcro in reels (I think I paid about $30 for 15 ft)

    Both sides have adhesive backing. I discard the hard brush side, cut the soft brush side to length and apply to the bottoms of benches, prie dieus, as needed. Holding up very well after maybe 3 yrs so far.
    Thanked by 4Chant_Supremacist Bri ServiamScores CHGiffen
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  • francis
    Posts: 10,955
    in our little loft (some variety of oak flooring, circa 2003), I'm using a DIY fix for furniture noise / wear.

    we have applied ye ole tennis ball cushion to our chairs in the loft... also works very well!

    You can also purchase adhesive felt furniture pads.
    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=adhesive+felt+furniture+pads&crid=1RIJZADGOUQ41&sprefix=adhesive+flet+furniture,aps,128&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_23

    I imagine the tennis ball solution (although not a nice look) is quite effective and does not come off or wear out. You CAN get black ones made for bottoms of chairs, etc.
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    Thanked by 4Chant_Supremacist Bri CHGiffen mmeladirectress
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