Laminate Flooring Underlayment: A Comprehensive Guide
What is Laminate Underlayment?
Laminate underlayment is a soft padding that is installed beneath laminate flooring. It serves several important functions, including:
- Smoothing the surface: Underlayment helps to level out any imperfections in the subfloor, providing a smooth base for the laminate planks.
- Improving stability: Underlayment helps to keep the laminate planks firmly in place, preventing them from shifting or buckling over time.
- Softening footfall: Underlayment provides a bit of cushioning underfoot, making the laminate flooring more comfortable to walk on.
- Absorbing sound: Underlayment can help to reduce noise transmission both within the room and to floors below.
- Controlling moisture: Some types of underlayment are moisture-resistant, helping to protect the laminate flooring from water damage.
Types of Underlayment
Underlayment comes in a variety of materials, including:
- Foam: Foam underlayment is the most common type. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to install.
- Felt: Felt underlayment is made from recycled fibers. It is more expensive than foam underlayment, but it is also more durable and provides better sound absorption.
- Cork: Cork underlayment is made from the bark of the cork oak tree. It is the most expensive type of underlayment, but it is also the most durable and provides the best sound absorption.
When to Use Underlayment
Underlayment is generally recommended for all laminate flooring installations. However, there are a few exceptions:
- When the laminate flooring has pre-attached underlayment: Some laminate flooring products come with underlayment already attached to the bottom of the planks. In these cases, additional underlayment is not necessary.
- When the subfloor is perfectly flat and featureless: If the subfloor is perfectly flat and free of any imperfections, underlayment may not be necessary. However, it is still recommended to use underlayment in areas that receive heavy foot traffic or where there is a risk of moisture damage.
How to Install Underlayment
Installing underlayment is a relatively simple process:
- Prepare the subfloor: Make sure the subfloor is clean, dry, and free of any debris.
- Roll out the underlayment: Roll out the underlayment over the subfloor, starting in one corner of the room.
- Overlap the seams: Overlap the seams of the underlayment by at least 2 inches.
- Tape the seams: Use duct tape or underlayment tape to secure the seams.
- Trim the excess: Trim any excess underlayment around the edges of the room.
Benefits of Using Underlayment
Using underlayment with laminate flooring offers a number of benefits, including:
- Improved comfort: Underlayment provides a bit of cushioning underfoot, making the laminate flooring more comfortable to walk on.
- Reduced noise: Underlayment can help to reduce noise transmission both within the room and to floors below.
- Increased durability: Underlayment helps to protect the laminate flooring from wear and tear, extending its lifespan.
- Moisture protection: Some types of underlayment are moisture-resistant, helping to protect the laminate flooring from water damage.
Conclusion
Underlayment is an important component of any laminate flooring installation. By providing a smooth base, improving stability, softening footfall, absorbing sound, and controlling moisture, underlayment helps to ensure that your laminate flooring looks great and performs well for years to come.