Ceramic tiles. There is no other flooring type that has the design flexibility of ceramic tile or natural stone. There are multiple shapes, sizes, installation patterns and color ways that give ceramic tile and natural stone endless design choices. This is just one of the many benefits of ceramic tile and natural stone. Ceramic tile and stone are practically impervious to claw scratches and potential damage from, ahem, accidents. The glazed tiles clean easily, so they're easy to keep looking good year in and year out.

Ciciliot

The question was on soundproofing not pets and flooring. There are cork and rubber underlays that you can use a floating floor over. A good flooring store should be able to advise. Does your condo assoc have a recommendation?

I got cork underlayment that had soundproofing over within the specs of the HOA. This was glued to the base support. Thinset was placed over this and stone on top of that.

Thanks for your input! I'm checking out whether something like cork or a soundproofing barrier can be used with Nafco floors by Tarkett. This is vinyl plank that really looks and feels like wood. The protective surface is something called Tritonite (at least it's not Kryptonite!). It's really beautiful and pretty much dog proof too!

Has anyone used Foresta flooring?

A good flooring specialist will be able to design a floor system for you that will meet your requirements and that of your condo association.

If the sound more than just background, you need to build in a false floor. Basicaly sound travels better through hard vibratory surfaces (wood, tile etc). The more you can disconnect the floor from the ceiling below, the better. This might not be acceptable to your condo association, but it is the way sound works.

As for underlayments, anything is better than nothing but you need to ensure you get as much area as possible covered. Any gaps and the sound will come through.

Also, the more the floor "floats" on a damping membrane the better. There are plenty of sites dedicated to studio construction techniques. Highly recommended to check them out.

Pb

Scot is correct

Soundproofing is difficult esp in your situation. That said there are products that certainly can do a very good job -

If you are re-flooring or have new construction I would rec looking into Mass loaded vinyl 1/8" heavy -goes on like rolled flooring under your finish floor.

Below is a website that I used when I was looking into soundproofing during our renovation 3 yrs ago. We have a 1930 home that is plaster & lost quite a bit of plaster, which has an excellent sound proofing quality.
The folks here are helpful & knowledgeable -

I took my time to understand the science of soundproofing as much as I could before purchasing anything. I also have a bro in law that is a master carpenter and built many of the Sony studios in Manhattan - He used multiple layers of sheetrock (differing widths, and staggering joints)

Good luck - quietness is something I'm willing to go an extra mile for !

Here is a link that might be useful: SOundproofing.org

There is a lot more to it then putting some sound deadening mat or cork under the floor! A lot more!

If you put your trim molding on, you have to deaden it too. Transitions cannot be anchored.