Yes, new floors squeak — and it's usually normal
It surprises a lot of new-build owners, but a brand-new floor squeaking within the first year or two is common and rarely a defect. The lumber, subfloor and finished flooring were installed with a certain moisture content, and once your heating and air conditioning start cycling, all of it dries and settles into place. As it does, panels shift a hair and fasteners loosen slightly — and you get a squeak.
Why new construction is especially prone to it
New framing is still 'green' — it hasn't finished drying. Builders also work fast, and a subfloor panel that wasn't fully glued or a joist that was slightly bowed will announce itself once the house is lived in. Engineered and floating floors, common in new builds, add click-lock joints and foam underlayment that can settle unevenly. None of this is alarming; it's the house acclimatising.
When to look closer
Most new-build squeaks are harmless friction. Treat them as a concern only if the floor also sags, feels bouncy or spongy across a wide area, or the squeaks arrived suddenly alongside cracks or sticking doors. Those point to something beyond settling and deserve an inspection.
Fixing it (and your builder warranty)
If you're still inside your builder's warranty window, report the squeaks — they may be covered. If you're past it, or you'd rather have it handled properly now, we silence new-construction squeaks across the GTA without lifting your new floor: we re-secure the subfloor from above or below, colour-matched and non-destructive, backed by our own 1-year warranty. It's a fraction of living with the noise for the next decade.
Prefer to skip the DIY?
We silence squeaky floors and stairs across Toronto & the GTA — no floor replacement, 1-year warranty, free estimates.