Learning About Laminate Floor Underlayment
If you are in the market for new laminate flooring, you want to be sure that you get the best for you and your home. We have the best information you are looking for on laminate floor underlayment, and are here to help you along the way. Be sure that you check out our other articles as well as the rest of our site for great information that you can actually use.
All laminate flooring needs an underlayment, but which one do you choose and why do you need it? The underlayment layer of your laminate floor is mostly to absorb noise as you walk across the floor because the laminate floor is not directly secured to the subfloor. The underlayment also cushions the laminate floor to give it a somewhat softer feel. In some cases the underlayment is used to block moisture from the subfloor that could damage your laminate flooring. Underlayment is not to be confused with the padding used with carpets; thicker does not necessarily mean better.
Underlayment comes in a variety of materials for different purposes. You need to check with the retailer or the manufacturer's guidelines to find which is the recommended underlayment for your particular brand of laminate flooring and your specific subfloor situation. The four most common forms of underlayment are standard foam, a foam/film combination, modified underlayment, and solid cork.
Standard Foam
Standard foam is the usual underlayment of choice. Since there is no moisture barrier on this type of underlayment, it is used in situations where there is no chance of moisture seeping in from the subfloor. Typically, standard foam underlayment is used over plywood subfloor. However, since second story or higher subfloors are off the ground, they do not need moisture barriers; therefore, standard foam may be used as an underlayment in apartments or condos on those higher levels. Standard foam underlayment alone is not suitable in cases where moisture may be a problem. In those situations, a moisture barrier needs to be added. In addition, if sound reduction is needed on elevated floors, standard foam will not be the underlayment of choice.
Combo Foam/Film
Combo foam/film is basically standard foam with an attachment of a moisture barrier. This film blocks moisture that could seep from the subfloor to the laminate flooring, which would cause damage. Combo underlayment has the same thickness and sound reduction as standard foam. This underlayment is typically used on concrete subfloors at ground level or with plywood subfloors that are close to the ground. Most manufacturers of laminate flooring will recommend their brand of underlayment. If they do not offer a combo foam/film underlayment, they will need to sell you a 6 mil plastic barrier to be laid under the standard foam as a moisture barrier.
Modified Underlayment
Modified underlayment is a denser and/or thicker foam underlayment. Typically, modified underlayments are made of closed cell foam, rubber, or fiber. Since these reduce sound better, they are most often used on higher-level floors. Note that the sound reduction is not the upward traveling, top sound, but the noise that would travel beneath the floor to anyone in the rooms below. Therefore, using modified underlayment on a ground floor will not really accomplish anything other than costing you more.
Page 2: Learning About Laminate Floor Underlayment
Related Articles
Guide To The Best Laminate Flooring
There are many different manufacturers of wood laminate flooring, and with all of them claiming to make the best laminate flooring it can be quite confusing to tell just who is telling the truth. Of course it is important to remember that just because one type of laminate flooring is great for you ...Information Discount Laminate Flooring
Discount laminate flooring is one of those things that can either be a great deal or a real nightmare, depending on the type of wood flooring you ultimate choose to lay down. While finding a wood flooring product that is both low in price and high in quality can save you hundreds or even thousands ...
