Choosing the Best Floor Underlayment For Your Laminate Floors

If you are thinking about installing laminate flooring in your home, you may think that your decision-making ends when you choose the type and brand you will get. However, there is more to this equation than meets the eye. You also need to seriously consider, and therefore, investigate, the underlayment that you will install as part of your overall floor. Laminate flooring underlayments are what you lay down on the floor just before you install your actual flooring materials.

The purpose of laminate floor underlayments is twofold. First, underlayments are designed to absorb little imperfections and nuances in the sublfloor. Second, underlayments are installed, in essence, to help silence your floor by absorbing the sound made from walking on the floor. However, underlayments do not function in any manner to make the floor more durable or of a higher quality.

You should always use the laminate floor underlayment that is recommended by the manufacturer of the laminate floors you are installing. However, in general, there are 4 kinds of laminate flooring underlayment available to lay under your laminate floors.

The first, and most common, type of underlayment material is foam. Foam underlayment consists of a thin padding, which is typically approximately one-eighth of an inch thick. Foal underlayments are usually used over plywood subfloors. It is important to note that foam underlayments do not act as a barrier for moisture, so you should use this type of underlayment under floors in rooms of low humidity, such as a hallway or bedroom.

The second type of underlayment is a combination of foam and film. This underlayment material does have a moisture barrier on one side of it, and thus, it can be used under floors in rooms where there is moisture.

The third type of underlayment is a floor muffler. A floor muffler underlayment is a closed cell material with a moisture barrier attached on each side. Floor muffler underlayments are rated the highest because they are the most diverse of all the underlayment materials. This type of underlayment can be installed over both concrete or plywood subfloors.

Finally, the fourth type of underlayment is a modified material that is thicker than laminate tiles. This type of underlayment can be made from cell foam, fiber, high-density foam, or rubber. It is especially useful for installing on second story floors, and above, because it significantly reduces noise and improves comfort.