What is Floor Underlayment?
Floor underlay is a layer of material placed beneath the floors to create a suitable surface to lay the floors. It levels small bumps or dents on the floor and evens it out for flooring. It also makes the flooring more comfortable to walk on.
Is Underlayment Necessary For Flooring?
Underlayment gives strong support to your floor and reduces noise. It protects your floor from damp subfloors. Without underlayment, the flooring can become warped, damp and mildew.
What is the Purpose of Underlayment?
Underlayments serve a number of functions. Some of these include:
- Level the surface: It can level bumps and dents on the floor and create a smooth surface. This ensures a completely smooth top surface when flooring is installed.
- Extra cushioning: It adds an extra layer of soft cushion, helping it last longer. Your flooring will not wear out under pressure and will last longer.
- Noise reduction: Its cushioning underlayment can help reduce noise from the floors. It will help make the room quieter and more peaceful.
- Moisture protection: It prevents moisture and protects your floor from dampness.
- Durability: It helps extend the life of your floors. It doesn’t tear up very easily and can be used in UV exposed areas as well.
- Comfort: It makes your floor softer and smoother to walk on. It adds a thick, spongy yet dense layer, making your floor feel very pleasant.
What are the Different Types of Floor Underlayment?
There are many types of floor underlayment available. However, four common types have been used in recent years. These four include:
Foam
Foam underlayment is very budget-friendly. The thicker the foam, the better the results. It cancels out noise and acts like a cushion. It’s best to use over chipboard or wood subfloors.
Felt
Felt underlayment protects your floor from water damage. It stops the water from reaching your hardwood flooring. It acts like a carpet that evens out bumps and dents very well.
Cork
Cork is naturally resistant to moisture. So, it doesn’t need any sealant. It also helps in getting rid of cracks in the substrate. Cork underlayment is used in areas where moisture is present, like kitchens and bathrooms.
Rubber
Rubber is a strong material that many prefer for underlayment. It is a popular choice due to its properties like cushioning, sound absorption and moisture resistance. It is well suited for rooms with moisture or damp areas; however, it can break down quicker than others.
What is the Best Underlayment for Laminate Floors?
High-density foam is the best choice for laminate flooring. Foam protects these floors by expanding and contracting with them. To add to this, foam is long-lasting, provides a level subfloor and reduces sound transfer.
What is the Best Underlayment for Vinyl Plank Flooring?
High-density foam is one of the most preferred choices for vinyl plank flooring. It is useful in avoiding dents on the vinyl floor surface and preventing the degrading of the spongy layer. Another choice is cork because it is also an anti-microbial material.
What is the Best Underlayment for Hardwood Floors?
Felt is used as underlayment for hardwood floors. It forms a hard surface without making the planks wet, which can cause them to warp. Cork is also a good choice, as it resists moisture and supports heavy loads on wood. The kitchen or other damp areas, are perfect places to use cork in.
Things to Consider While Buying Floor Underlayment?
There are a variety of floor underlayments available. However, selecting the right one is important.
Foam Underlayment
If you are looking for light weight that can be installed easily, opt for foam. It also has good cushioning and is soundproof. You can use it for upper-level floors or ceilings. However, it is vulnerable to moisture.
Felt Underlayment
If you need a budget-friendly option, pick felt. It creates a level surface on the subfloor and offers good sound absorption. While it is not as soft as foam or cork, the material has cushioning. Felt should only be applied on dry areas since moisture can harm it.
Cork Underlayment
If you need something that protects against mold and mildew, go for cork. It is soft and can be compressed. Also, it deals with both hot and cold conditions well. It is ideal for basements and other concrete floor applications.
Rubber Underlayment
Rubber is a good choice if you're looking for something strong. It's made with recycled rubber. It is waterproof and absorbs sound well. It is suitable to use in damp areas as it has a considerable thickness. Rubber is also relatively more budget-friendly than the others.