That sudden groan of a floorboard can be a unsettling sound, making you wonder what's going on beneath your feet. While it might seem like a cause for concern in a new home, those creaks are often a natural result of the materials and settling process. In this guide, we'll explain the common reasons why floors creak and provide some piece of mind about this very normal occurrence.

How to stop creaking floors

If you’ve noticed creaky floors in your new home, you might be wondering if there’s an issue or if they need to be fixed. The good news is that creaking floors and other noises from your new home are usually completely normal and nothing to worry about.

Watch our video below to learn more or read on for more information about the flooring in your new home.  

Why do floors creak?

The upstairs floors in your new home aren’t made with concrete like the ground floor, of course. Upper floors are built with sturdy timber joists, which are designed to be able to flex as needed. So, it’s completely normal for there to be a slight element of movement and creaking as a result - it’s nothing to worry about.

Upstairs floors are built with materials that can create friction noises as they move together - for example wiring against chipboard flooring, or the water pipes running under the flooring. Though these elements are built separately, changing temperatures and house settling can cause slight movement.

You might notice creaking and other noises from the flooring are more noticeable at different times of the year. This is because materials expand and contract with the temperature. This isn’t a structural problem and shouldn’t be any cause for concern.

To learn more about the thoughtful design and quality that goes into every Redrow home, discover 'Better by design.'