If you're looking for a way to improve the durability and insulation of your laminate flooring, investing in an underlay is a wise decision. Not only does it prolong the lifespan of your flooring, but it also provides noise reduction and extra comfort underfoot. However, with so many options available on the market, it can be challenging to choose the right underlay for your needs.
Before making a purchase, factors readers need to consider include the type of subfloor, room location, and budget. The type of subfloor is essential because different underlays require different installation methods. For example, a foam underlay is easy to install but works best on a smooth and flat subfloor. Additionally, the location of the room is important because some underlays are designed for sound insulation, making them ideal for a bedroom or study. Lastly, budgetary concerns should be addressed because higher-priced underlays may offer better quality and features but may not be necessary for all situations.
Are you tired of hearing echoing footsteps throughout your home? Do you want to add a layer of comfort to your laminate flooring? Or are you simply looking to prolong its lifespan? No matter your reason, choosing the right underlay for your laminate flooring is crucial for achieving your goals. In this article, we'll explore the various factors required for selecting the ideal underlay for your floors. Let's get started!
10 Best Underlay For Laminate Flooring
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The product is ideal for use as an underlayment for wood and laminate flooring, providing comfort and sound reduction.
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The product is ideal for providing moisture protection and support for laminate and hardwood flooring installations.
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The product is ideal as an underlayment for laminate and engineered wood floors.
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Ideal for providing sound reduction, compression resistance, and moisture protection for laminate flooring installation.
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This foam underlayment roll is ideal for use under wood and laminate flooring, covering up to 400 sq. ft.
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It is ideal for use as an underlayment for engineered wood and laminate flooring to provide cushioning and insulation.
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Ideal for providing premium underlayment padding with tape and vapor barrier for heavy duty foam flooring installation in a 600 Sqft space.
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Ideal for providing protective cushioning for all types of floors and finishes, including hardwoods, for an 8'x10' area.
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This product is ideal for preventing slipping and protecting floors under rugs with its felt and rubber construction.
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The product is ideal for providing a non-slip cushion under area rugs, protecting floors and finishes.
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1. Roberts Serenity Foam Wood & Laminate Underlayment, 100 Sq. Ft. Roll
This roll of flooring underlayment is designed for use with wood subfloors, providing 100 sq. ft. of coverage. Measuring 25 ft. x 4 ft. x 3/32 in., it is suitable for use with laminate and engineered wood flooring. It is also compatible with radiant heated floors. If used with concrete slabs, a Moisture Barricade (Item# 70-115, sold separately) is recommended to ensure proper installation.
The roll is easy to install and provides a smooth surface for flooring. Its 3/32 inch thickness helps to absorb sound and provides added cushioning underfoot. The underlayment also helps to reduce moisture, preventing any damage to the flooring over time.
Overall, this flooring underlayment is a great choice for those looking for an effective and easy-to-install option for wood subfloors. It also offers flexibility with its compatibility with different types of flooring and radiant heated floors.
- Easy to install
- Provides a smooth surface for flooring
- Reduces moisture to prevent damage to flooring
- Suitable for use with different types of flooring
- Compatible with radiant heated floors
- – Moisture Barricade is sold separately for use with concrete slabs
2. Moisture-Proof Blue Flooring Underlayment For Laminate/hardwood (200 Sq.ft)
The 200 sq. ft. roll of underlayment is ideal for laminate, engineered wood, and solid hardwood floor systems. It is designed to protect your floors from harmful subfloor moisture with its built-in moisture blocking film, which eliminates the need for additional films. The cushioned foam underlayment helps smooth out minor subfloor imperfections and irregularities, while also increasing thermal and sound insulation. The standard sound absorption feature helps to reduce noise in today’s active households and minimizes the hollow sound associated with floating floors. The installation process is made easy with the roll out design and included tape for connecting seams.
With this underlayment, you can maximize comfort in your home by creating a strong and stable foundation for your flooring. It provides a durable layer of protection that will help extend the life of your flooring and maintain its appearance over time.
- Built-in moisture blocking film for added protection
- Cushioned foam underlayment smooths out subfloor imperfections
- Increases thermal and sound insulation
- Standard sound absorption helps reduce noise
- Easy roll out design with included tape for connecting seams
3. Black Jack Premium Underlayment For Laminate Floors
Get the perfect underlayment for your laminate and engineered wood flooring with this roll of flooring underlayment. Measuring 28 ft. x 43 in. x 2.5 mm, each roll can cover an area of up to 100 sq. ft. This underlayment features a dense, closed cell structure that provides excellent moisture, mold and mildew resistance. It also offers cushioning and sound reduction, ensuring that your floors will be comfortable to walk on and that your home will be a more peaceful place to live in.
The underlayment is designed to resist wear and tear, and it can level minor subfloor imperfections, so your floors will look better than ever. Installation is easy, thanks to the plastic overlap and adhesive strip that make it a breeze to lay down and secure. With this underlayment, your floors will be more comfortable, more durable, and more beautiful than ever before.
- Provides excellent moisture, mold and mildew resistance
- Offers cushioning and sound reduction
- Resists wear and tear to ensure long-lasting performance
- Levels minor subfloor imperfections
- Easy to install with plastic overlap and adhesive strip
4. Whispershield Laminate Flooring Underlayment – 360 Sq. Ft.
This flooring underlayment is designed to be used with laminate, floating engineered, and luxury vinyl plank floors that are 5mm or thicker. It features a dense recycled fiber structure that supports the click-together mechanism and will maintain its supportive configuration even under consistent traffic. In addition, this underlayment offers superior sound reduction that helps to absorb sound and prevent it from traveling to other rooms, making click-together floors sound solid underfoot.
The recycled fibers also provide moisture protection by allowing installation over concrete to 'breathe', which helps manage vapors from becoming bulk moisture. The attached vapor barrier further protects the overlying floors from harmful moisture. This underlayment is approved for in-floor radiant heat systems, allowing heat to permeate evenly while helping to protect the floor covering material from thermal shock. Achieve warmth with the quiet warmth radiant heat system.
This underlayment is certified clean and safe for indoor air quality, with no VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) or off-gassing from materials. It is easy to install, simply roll it out and join the seam. It can be installed over wood or concrete subfloors, and each roll covers 360 sqft.
- Can be used with laminate, floating engineered, and luxury vinyl plank floors 5mm or thicker
- Superior sound reduction
- Compression resistant
- Provides moisture protection
- Certified clean and safe for indoor air quality
- Approved for in-floor radiant heat systems
- Easy to install
- Covers 360 sqft per roll
5. Xl Foam Underlayment For Wood & Laminate Floors
Looking for an ideal flooring underlayment for your laminate and engineered wood flooring? This Polyethylene Foam has a thickness of 3/32 inch or 93.75 mil, providing the needed cushioning and comfort to your flooring installation. With its easy handling, you can quickly roll out and install its 400 sq. ft. roll without any hassle.
This underlayment is designed to correct minor subfloor imperfections, making it perfect for imperfect subfloors. It also helps to reduce noise and acts as a moisture barrier, ensuring that your flooring stays durable and long-lasting.
Made from high-quality materials, this Polyethylene Foam is reliable and sturdy, ensuring that your flooring stays protected and stable for many years. It is an excellent choice to complete your flooring installation and enhance its overall performance.
- Provides comfort and cushioning to your flooring installation
- Easy to handle, roll out, and install
- Corrects minor subfloor imperfections
- Acts as a moisture barrier, ensuring that your flooring stays durable
- Reduces noise, providing a peaceful environment
6. Green Cushion Roll For Engineered Flooring – Roberts
This roll of underlayment is designed to be used with engineered wood and laminate flooring. It provides a cushioning effect over concrete and wood subfloors, ensuring a more comfortable walking experience. The roll measures 360 square feet, which covers a considerable area.
The underlayment has been tested for sound transmission and has received an STC rating of 66. This means that the underlayment is effective at reducing sound such as voices and television. Additionally, the underlayment has an IIC rating of 67, which measures sound such as moving furniture and walking. These ratings mean that the underlayment will reduce noise levels, providing a more peaceful living environment.
The roll measures 60 inches by 72 feet and comes in a single pack. It is easy to install and will provide a durable base for your flooring.
- Provides cushioning over concrete and wood subfloors
- Reduces sound levels for a more peaceful living environment
- Easy to install
- Durable base for flooring
7. Premium 3-In-1 Flooring Underlayment With Vapor Barrier
The AMERIQUE Premium 3mm Thick Flooring Underlayment Padding is the perfect solution for homeowners who want to protect their floors from moisture and mold. This underlayment is made of non-allergenic, 3mm closed foam technology that can reduce sound and give excellent performance and long life due to anti-crush technology. It is perfect for wood, bamboo, and laminate flooring. The underlayment is easy to install with its self-adhesive strip, which makes it suitable for DIY projects. The product comes in a pack of 3, with a total of 600 square feet (200 square feet per roll) and has a royal blue color. The underlayment has a 3 in 1 heavy-duty foam that includes tape and vapor barrier, which provides additional protection against moisture. The installation process is simple and straightforward, with overlap and adhesive strips making it easy to lay down. With this underlayment, you can enjoy a more comfortable and quieter space while protecting your flooring from unwanted moisture and mold.
The AMERIQUE Premium 3mm Thick Flooring Underlayment Padding is a great investment for homeowners who want to protect their floors from moisture and mold while enjoying a comfortable and quiet space. The underlayment is easy to install, and its 3mm closed foam technology reduces sound and provides excellent performance and long life due to anti-crush technology. The underlayment is suitable for wood, bamboo, and laminate floors and comes with a self-adhesive strip for easy installation. Additionally, the underlayment has a 3 in 1 heavy-duty foam that includes tape and vapor barrier, which provides additional protection against moisture. With this underlayment, you can be sure that your flooring is well-protected and that you can enjoy a more comfortable and quieter space.
The AMERIQUE Premium 3mm Thick Flooring Underlayment Padding is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to protect their floors from moisture and mold. The underlayment is made of non-allergenic, 3mm closed foam technology that can reduce sound and give excellent performance and long life due to anti-crush technology. It is perfect for wood, bamboo, and laminate flooring. The underlayment is easy to install with its self-adhesive strip, which makes it suitable for DIY projects. The underlayment comes in a pack of 3, with a total of 600 square feet (200 square feet per roll) and has a royal blue color. The underlayment also has a 3 in 1 heavy-duty foam that includes tape and vapor barrier, which provides additional protection against moisture. With this underlayment, homeowners can enjoy a more comfortable and quieter space while protecting their flooring from unwanted moisture and mold.
- Non-allergenic, 3mm closed foam technology protects against moisture and mold
- The underlayment has anti-crush technology for excellent performance and long life
- Suitable for wood, bamboo, and laminate flooring
- Easy to install with a self-adhesive strip
- Includes tape and vapor barrier for additional protection against moisture
- – The royal blue color may not be suitable for everyone's taste
- – The installation process may require some experience with DIY projects
8. Safefloor Felt Pad For Hardwoods – 8'x10'
Looking for a rug pad that can provide extra cushioning while protecting your floors? Look no further than this 100% felt pad! With its ultra-plush feel, it offers a thick buffer between your rugs and floors for luxurious comfort. The pad contains 40oz of felt per square yard, which makes it denser and heavier than most rug pads available in the market.
This rug pad is perfect for use with rugs anchored by furniture or heavy rugs that stay in place on their own. It is not designed for non-slip applications, but you can try one of the company's felt and rubber options for that purpose. The pad's extra thickness provides sound absorption and insulation benefits, making it an ideal choice for those looking to maximize cushioning.
If you're worried about furniture on larger rugs causing abrasion to floors over time, this pad can help. It will not mark or stain floor finishes, ensuring your floors are protected from damage. The pad is also eco-friendly, as it is made in the USA and contains no glues, PVC, or latex.
The pad is available in thicknesses of 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4". So, you can choose the one that best suits your needs. If you want extra cushioning, go for the 1/2" option. However, if you want less cushioning, try the 3/8" or 1/4" options.
- Provides extra cushioning and floor protection under your rugs for luxurious comfort
- Denser and heavier than most rug pads available in the market
- Will not mark or stain floor finishes, ensuring your floors are protected from damage
- Eco-friendly, made in the USA, and contains no glues, PVC, or latex
- Available in thicknesses of 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4"
- – Not suitable for non-slip applications
9. Safegrip: Mohawk Home Non-Slip Rug Pad
Looking for a rug pad that can keep your rug in place while protecting your floors from damage? Look no further than this durable and versatile rug pad! The slip resistant latex rubber backing ensures that your rug stays in place, preventing slipping, bunching, and wrinkles. At the same time, the felt surface and latex backing provide long-lasting protection for your flooring, guarding against scratches, scrapes, punctures, and other types of abrasion wear.
This rug pad is also versatile enough to work with a variety of floor types. Simply place the pad under your rug with the felt side down if you have carpet. If you have hardwood or a similar surface, place the pad under your rug with the rubber side facing down. Plus, with two thickness options (3/8” and ¼”), you can choose the right amount of plush underfoot cushioning for your space. And if you need a custom size, this rug pad can be easily cut to fit any rug by cutting 2 inches smaller than the rug size.
Whether you're looking to add cushion to your area rugs or protect your floors from damage, this rug pad is an everyday essential. It's perfect for any room in your home, as well as Airbnb properties.
- Durable slip resistant latex rubber backing to prevent slipping, bunching, and wrinkles
- Felt surface and latex backing protect flooring from scratches, scrapes, punctures, and other types of abrasion wear
- Versatile enough to work with a variety of floor types
- Available in two thickness options for customized cushioning
- Can be easily cut to fit any rug size
10. Safegrip Usa Rug Pad: Thick, Non-Slip Felt & Rubber
Keep your rugs firmly in place with this rug pad that offers a strong gripping power. The natural rubber backing prevents slipping, sliding, and wrinkling in high-traffic areas. It's made in the USA with 100% recycled felt needle-punched to prevent moisture buildup. The 1/4-inch thick felt is heat-pressed, adding soundproofing and insulation without being abrasive to protect rugs and floors from scratches. It also adds extra comfort underneath rugs without extra bulking. This rug pad is odorless, low VOC’s, and hypoallergenic. The natural rubber backing will not stain, strip, or damage hard surface flooring, and it contains no glues, PVC, or non-stick adhesives. You can safely use it with hardwood, laminate, stone, tile, radiant heat, concrete, bamboo, and more. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, please contact the seller for total satisfaction.
- Strong gripping power keeps rugs in place
- Durable cushion adds soundproofing and insulation
- Non-abrasive to protect rugs and floors from scratches
- Odorless, low VOC’s, and hypoallergenic
- Safe for all hard surface flooring types
- Made in the USA with 100% recycled felt to prevent moisture buildup
- Adds extra comfort underneath rugs without extra bulking
- No glues, PVC, or non-stick adhesives
Best Underlay For Laminate Flooring FAQs
Can you install laminate flooring without an underlay?
It is not recommended to install laminate flooring without an underlay. The underlay acts as a moisture barrier, absorbs sound, and provides insulation. Without an underlay, the laminate flooring may become damaged over time due to moisture penetrating through the subfloor. Additionally, the lack of an underlay can result in a noisy floor, as the laminate will make a hollow sound when walked on.
Furthermore, the underlay provides a smooth and level surface for the laminate to be installed on. Without an underlay, any imperfections in the subfloor will be transferred to the laminate, resulting in an uneven and unattractive floor.
It is important to choose the correct underlay for the type of laminate being installed, as different types of underlay provide different benefits. For example, a foam underlay is best suited for sound insulation, while a vapour barrier underlay is best suited for moisture protection.
Overall, it is highly recommended to install laminate flooring with an underlay to ensure the longevity, durability, and aesthetic appeal of the floor.
How do I choose the right underlay for my laminate flooring?
Choosing the right underlay for your laminate flooring is essential for a successful installation. The underlay helps to absorb sound, provide insulation, and create a level surface for your flooring. There are a few factors that you should consider when choosing the right underlay for your laminate flooring.
Firstly, you need to consider the type of subfloor you have. If you have a concrete subfloor, you will need an underlay that has a moisture barrier to prevent moisture from seeping through. On the other hand, if you have a wooden subfloor, you will need an underlay that provides extra cushioning.
Secondly, you need to consider the thickness of the underlay. The thicker the underlay, the more cushioning it provides. However, a thicker underlay may not be suitable for rooms with low ceilings or where there are height restrictions.
Lastly, you need to consider the type of laminate flooring you have. Some laminate flooring types come with an attached underlay, while others require a separate underlay. Ensure you check with the manufacturer's guidelines to determine the best underlay for your flooring.
In conclusion, choosing the right underlay for your laminate flooring requires careful consideration of the subfloor type, underlay thickness, and recommended guidelines from the manufacturer. Investing in the right underlay will not only improve the appearance of your flooring but also increase its durability and lifespan.
How thick should the underlay for laminate flooring be?
The thickness of the underlay for laminate flooring depends on various factors such as the subfloor condition, the type of laminate flooring, and the level of sound and heat insulation required. Generally, the underlay should be at least 3mm thick to provide adequate cushioning and prevent the laminate from cracking or creaking. However, if the subfloor is uneven or has imperfections, a thicker underlay of around 5mm or more may be necessary to ensure a smooth and stable surface for the laminate. Additionally, if noise reduction and heat insulation are a concern, opt for an underlay with a higher density and thickness. It is important to choose the right underlay for your specific laminate flooring and subfloor conditions to ensure a durable and comfortable installation. Consulting with a professional installer or flooring supplier can help you determine the best underlay thickness for your project.
What are the benefits of using an underlay for laminate flooring?
Using an underlay for laminate flooring can provide several benefits. Firstly, it can help to even out any small imperfections in the subfloor, which can prevent the laminate flooring from becoming damaged or uneven over time. Additionally, an underlay can provide a layer of insulation, which can help to reduce noise levels and make the room feel warmer. This can be particularly useful in spaces such as bedrooms or living rooms.
Another benefit of using an underlay for laminate flooring is that it can help to prolong the lifespan of the flooring itself. By providing a cushioning layer between the laminate and the subfloor, an underlay can reduce the amount of wear and tear on the flooring, which can help it to last longer and look better for longer.
Finally, using an underlay for laminate flooring can also make the installation process easier and faster. By providing a stable base for the flooring to sit on, an underlay can help to ensure that the planks or tiles are laid evenly and securely, which can save time and effort during the installation process. Overall, using an underlay for laminate flooring can provide a range of benefits that can help to improve the look, feel, and durability of your flooring.
What is the best underlay for laminate flooring?
The best underlay for laminate flooring is one that provides proper cushioning, sound insulation, and moisture protection. Foam underlay is the most popular choice for laminate flooring due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. It also provides good sound insulation and cushioning. However, if you are installing laminate flooring in a high-traffic area, you may consider using a thicker foam underlay for better cushioning.
Another popular option is cork underlay, which provides excellent sound insulation, moisture protection, and thermal insulation. It is also eco-friendly and durable. However, cork underlay is more expensive than foam underlay and requires professional installation.
Rubber underlay is another option that provides excellent cushioning and sound insulation. It also offers superior moisture protection, making it ideal for areas such as basements and bathrooms. However, rubber underlay is more expensive than foam underlay and may be more difficult to install.
Ultimately, the best underlay for laminate flooring depends on your budget and specific needs. Consider the level of traffic, sound insulation, moisture protection, and cushioning you require before choosing the right underlay for your laminate flooring.