Tenements were originally built with sound deafening under the floorboards in the form of ash/sawdust. A lot of flats had this removed during the 20th century during renovations. My first flat had the deafening removed in some rooms and you could hear downstairs conversations word for word! My current flat still has deafening and is quiet and toasty despite being >120 years old. [Under One Roof](https://underoneroof.scot/articles/1167/Dealing_with_noise/Floors_and_ceilings) |