Do I Need Underlayment for My Laminate Flooring?

Thickness is not the most important factor to consider when it comes to the subfloor. An extra thick subfloor only works if you're installing a carpeted floor or if you're trying to smooth an uneven subfloor. Otherwise, a subfloor with additional padding can cause the laminate or vinyl floor to flex too much, potentially breaking the locking system. Look for a laminate subfloor that is 2 to 3 mm thick; some dealers may falsely claim that a 6 mm subfloor can double sound absorption.

However, material and density are better indicators of soundproofing. The subfloor is the fundamental support of the room, with the aim of improving and protecting the floor.

You must also ensure that the subfloor (and the lower subfloor) are level and smooth to achieve a uniform finish on the laminate floor.

Laminate flooring itself is quiet when walking, but it has the potential to be intrusive when flexed against the subfloor. If your laminate floor already has an attached subfloor, you don't need to install another one, as this accessory is designed to save you time.

Unlike carpet padding, a thicker underlayment won't make laminate or wood floors feel softer. With other trade-backs, you'll be spending your hard-earned money to replace your laminate floor after just a few years. Cork, one of the most expensive underlayment options, can sometimes add up to 50 percent to the cost of installing laminate flooring. The proper selection and installation of the subfloor is important because they can affect the feel of the laminate floor and its wear and tear over time.

Laminate and subfloor are combinations of medium-cost flooring available today, so their price is higher than you might be looking for. They usually have minor imperfections and slight variations, which can seriously affect the softness of any floor placed on them and affect the connection between the laminate planks. Nowadays you can find many laminate floors that have been manufactured with subfloor padding integrated into the lower part of the material. Moisture problems and uneven subfloors can cause laminate flooring to fail, resulting in a much higher repair cost than installing a subfloor.

It is very important to understand that underlayment for laminate and floating wooden floors is not the same as carpet padding. Despite the low price of a foam subfloor, it can serve as an excellent cushion between the subfloor and a vinyl, engineered wood or laminate floor. As one of the most insulating and sound-absorbing subfloors on the market, rubber can protect your laminate floor from mold, mildew or noise associated with a concrete or wood subfloor.