Add Laminate Flooring Underlayment for Comfort, Noise Reduction and Evenness

If you are shopping for laminate flooring, you probably already know that not all flooring products come with an attached underlayment. The addition of an underlayment is virtually a requirement for any laminate flooring project as it provides benefits in terms of comfort, sound and evenness.

Underlayment adds comfort to the sensation of walking on a floating floor (a floor not directly attached to a subfloor). It provides a “spring in your step” sensation while walking that is usually not noticed by a homeowner until it is absent. While the difference may not be dramatic, having an underlayment will definitely be beneficial in terms of improving your comfort level.

A good laminate flooring underlayment also provides soundproofing benefits. With floating flooring like laminate, there is a gap between the floor and the subfloor which creates a resonating chamber that amplifies sound. If there is no underlayment, your floor can inadvertently become a percussive instrument that exaggerates the sound of footsteps. An underlayment provides a means of deadening the sound to the point where you are no longer conscious of it. This is especially beneficial in space like hallways where there is a lot of foot traffic.

Another subtle benefit of a good laminate flooring underlayment is that is provides a great finishing touch to the task of evening out a subfloor. A good subfloor must be as flat as possible. An underlayment can even out slight surface irregularities which may have been previously overlooked during the installation process.

This RONA video provides installation tips for different types of underlayment material:

There are several types of underlayment commonly used with laminate flooring, each with general and specific benefits:

• Standard foam: Used in areas of low moisture as it has no built-in moisture barrier. If a large amount of moisture is expected, it can be used in conjunction with a plastic sheet. This is a good choice otherwise for above grade installations.
• Sound dampening or acoustical: Made specifically for acoustic control and may have a built-in moisture barrier as well. It is sometimes referred to as “closed cell” underlayment.
• Combination: Used in basements and other below grade installations. It comes with an attached moisture barrier.
• Vinyl-backed: Often sold in tile form and designed to be an easily laid alternative to standard underlay which is sold by the roll. It also provides noise-proofing qualities. If waterproofing is a priority, the seams must be sealed since it comes in tile form.