Floor underlayment is common in many flooring applications to provide a sturdy, protective layer between the subfloor and floor covering. Most homeowners never see their flooring underlayment, but it’s an important component of a long-lasting, cohesive flooring system.
Learn about various types of floor underlayment and how the subfloor and finished flooring influence whether or not you need underlayment.
What Is Underlayment?
Underlayment is a thin material installed directly beneath the finished floor and the subfloor. Floor underlayment plays a few key roles in protecting your home and your flooring:
- Moisture and vapor barrier: Underlayment, including options with an integrated moisture barrier, prevents ground moisture from rising up to the finished flooring, which may cause lasting damage. This is a particular concern for hardwood, engineered wood, and laminate flooring products.
- Sound absorption: Underlayment softens the impact noise caused by foot traffic. You often find noise-reducing underlayment paired with hard flooring surfaces (think wood, laminate, and vinyl) and in multi-story homes.
- Subfloor improvement: Underlayment can smooth out bumps and other imperfections in the subfloor. This provides the finished floor above a smooth, level platform and prevents gaps in floating floors like vinyl.
Depending on the underlayment and finished flooring material, underlayment can also provide a degree of thermal insulation and cushioning, improving energy efficiency and comfort underfoot.
How to Choose the Best Underlayment for Floors
Choosing the right underlayment depends on the material and condition of your subfloors and your choice of finished flooring. These are the most common types of flooring underlayment options for most homeowners, and we’ll make informed recommendations after your free, in-home consultation.
- Foam underlayment: The most popular and affordable option, foam underlayment is typically paired with laminate and engineered wood flooring. It strikes an excellent balance between sound absorption, cushioning, and price, and may come with a moisture barrier attached.
- Cork underlayment: Eco-friendly and naturally moisture-resistant, cork underlayment is typically used with laminate and hardwood
- Felt underlayment: Often made with recycled fibers, felt underlayment is a great choice for hardwood floors. It’s prized for its superior noise absorption and insulating qualities.
- Rubber underlayment: Rubber is the popular choice for tile and stone flooring because it is highly moisture-resistant. It’s also very durable and absorbs sound extremely well.
Do I Need Underlayment for Laminate Flooring?
Wondering, “when do you need underlay for laminate flooring?” Laminate is a “floating floor,” which means planks click together and rest on the subfloor. Underlayment prevents the laminate from shifting and moving, and is almost always necessary. It is so critical that many laminate flooring products come with underlayment attached!
Do I Need an Underlayment for Hardwood Floors or Engineered Wood Flooring?
Underlayment protects solid wood and engineered wood flooring from moisture. While the exact underlayment material varies based on the flooring type and installation method, it is almost always recommended. Our flooring team typically uses felt, cork, or foam underlayment for hardwood. Apart from hardwood, you may ask, “do I need underlayment for engineered hardwood flooring?” The answer is that many of today’s engineered wood products come with a pre-attached underlayment material.
What Underlayment Is Best for Carpet?
You may have noticed we haven’t mentioned carpet yet! Carpet underlayment is more commonly referred to as carpet padding, but it serves many of the same functions. Carpet padding is available in various depths (thicknesses) and materials, including rebond foam, polyurethane foam (PU), rubber, and felt.
When considering what underlay is best for carpet, remember that rebond foam is the most common type of carpet padding due to its durability, affordability, and comfort underfoot.
When to Skip Underlayment
You often won’t need to select or use underlayment in a few situations.
- Glue-down flooring: Sheet and glue-down vinyl flooring attached directly to the subfloor, so there’s no need for underlayment. This is also true for glue-down engineered wood floors.
- Ceramic and porcelain tile: In most cases, you won’t need to use underlayment when installing tile on a level subfloor or a cement board. Trust your installation team to make recommendations on when to use underlayment for your project.
Take a Flooring Deep Dive with Floor Coverings International® of Regina
Choosing the right types of underlayment and flooring for your home requires a careful balance between form, function, and budget. As a local business, we understand that selecting and installing new floors is a significant investment for our friends and neighbors. That’s why we strive to provide transparent pricing, unmatched selection, and a truly stress-free shopping experience. Start your project today by scheduling a free, in-home consultation with our Design Associate!
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