When choosing an underlayment for your flooring, there are a few important factors to consider. The subfloor and type of floor covering you’re using will help determine the most suitable underlayment for your project.
With the right tips and guidance, you can achieve a smoother installation and great-looking floors by selecting the appropriate underlayment. Installing laminate flooring requires particular attention to ensure the best results.
Here’s a breakdown of everything you should consider before selecting an underlayment for your laminate flooring.
Laminate Flooring Subfloor Options
Concrete Subfloor
A concrete subfloor offers a solid base for installing underlayment and laminate, with benefits like durability, affordability, and resistance to pests such as wood-eating insects.
However, there are some challenges to consider when working with concrete:
- Moisture: Concrete can absorb moisture in damp or humid conditions, which can damage laminate flooring.
- Unevenness: Bumps or uneven spots in the concrete can complicate installation and may harm flooring planks.
- Hardness: Concrete's hard, cold surface can feel uncomfortable underfoot without the right underlayment.
To prepare a concrete subfloor for laminate installation, test for moisture and fix any uneven or damaged areas. Select an underlayment with a moisture barrier that also provides a soft, comfortable walking surface.
Plywood and OSB Subfloors
When preparing your subfloor for a laminate flooring project, there are several key factors to keep in mind, regardless of the subfloor material:
- Flatness: Check the subfloor for any sloping, waves, bumps, or cracks. If it’s damaged or unstable, these issues need to be fixed before installation.
- Cleanliness: Ensure the surface is clean and free of dirt or debris.
- Moisture: Avoid installing flooring if there’s excessive moisture. Address the moisture source before proceeding.
Resolving these issues will help ensure a smooth installation when laying down the underlayment.
What to Use Under Laminate Flooring
Underlayment is the layer installed between the subfloor and the visible floor covering. Choosing the right underlayment is essential for optimizing performance and compatibility with your flooring. Here are some popular types of underlayment for laminate flooring:
Cross-linked closed-cell polyethylene foam (IXPE Foam): IXPE foam is an excellent choice for laminate flooring. It offers strong compression characteristics, resistance to mold and mildew, and excellent sound insulation. The cross-linked molecular structure enhances stability, and the closed-cell design provides a reliable moisture barrier.Polyethylene foam (PE Foam): PE foam is a common and affordable underlayment choice for laminate flooring. While it may not offer the highest sound insulation or moisture protection compared to XLPP foam, it is a budget-friendly alternative.
XPS Foam: Extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam provides a cushioned feel underfoot as it compresses with each step. Sold as fanfold products, XPS foam is easy to unfold and install, making it a good option for laminate flooring.
Recycled Rubber: Rubber underlayments made from recycled materials offer solid sound insulation and are resistant to mold and mildew. However, they may require an additional moisture barrier layer as many recycled rubber underlayments do not provide moisture protection. This eco-friendly option is a great choice for environmentally conscious projects.
Recycled Fibers: Compressed recycled fibers are effective for sound reduction and provide insulation, keeping floors warmer.
6 Mil Moisture Barrier: This underlayment acts as a moisture retarder, ideal for applications requiring moisture control. It’s popular with installers as it makes sliding laminate planks into place easier.
Selecting the right underlayment will enhance the durability, comfort, and performance of your laminate flooring.
Choosing the Right Underlayment for Laminate Flooring
When selecting an underlayment for laminate floors, keep a few important factors in mind:
Sound Reduction: Laminate flooring can produce a hollow sound when walked on, so homeowners often look for ways to reduce noise. An underlayment with high-quality acoustic properties can help limit sound transmission, making the space quieter.Moisture Resistance: Moisture is a critical consideration for flooring installations. While it’s essential to avoid installing flooring over damp areas, choosing an underlayment with moisture-blocking properties can help protect against potential moisture issues in the future.
Comfort and Density: The density of the underlayment affects the feel underfoot. Less dense underlayments provide a softer surface, but too much compression can cause the laminate planks to flex, potentially leading to damage. Aim for an underlayment that balances comfort with stability.
By considering these factors, you can select an underlayment that enhances sound insulation, moisture protection, and comfort for your laminate flooring.
Benefits of Underlayment for Laminate Flooring
Here are some key benefits of installing underlayment beneath laminate flooring:
Improved Sound Insulation: High-quality underlayments offer acoustic benefits. When selecting an underlayment, consider metrics like Impact Insulation Class (IIC), Sound Transmission Class (STC), and Delta IIC. Higher values indicate better sound reduction, minimizing noise transfer between rooms.Moisture Protection: Certain underlayments provide a moisture barrier, which is essential for protecting laminate floors from potential water damage and preventing mold or mildew growth.
Smoothing Subfloor Imperfections: Underlayment can mask minor flaws in the subfloor, helping to create a more level and even surface for the laminate flooring.
Thermal Insulation: Proper underlayment materials can enhance the R-value of your flooring, adding warmth and energy efficiency to the space.
What Underlayment to Use for Laminate Flooring
Floorlot® offers a versatile range of underlayment products ideal for laminate flooring. Here’s an overview of our key options:
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Floorlot® GoldMax™: This high-performance underlayment delivers excellent acoustic insulation and moisture protection, thanks to its closed-cell IXPE foam structure. Floorlot® GoldMax is durable and protects floors from moisture.
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Floorlot® BlueStep™: BlueStep™ is a professional-grade polyethylene foam underlayment that combines solid moisture resistance at an accessible price, making it a great choice for laminate installations.
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Floorlot® LiteFoam™: LiteFoam® is a polyethylene foam underlayment in Floorlot®’s value collection, offering good performance at an affordable price. For installations over plywood only.
Explore Floorlot®'s full line of underlayment products to find the perfect fit for your laminate flooring needs.