The Benefits Of Laminate Flooring Underlayment

Laminate flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring on the market, mainly due to the fact that it creates the look of real wood, tile or stone for a fraction of the price of the real thing. The only real downside to laminate is that it can be quite loud if it is installed incorrectly. Many people complain about their rooms sounding hollow or having an echo after their new flooring is in place. The primary reason this occurs is because proper underlayment was not used when installing the floor.

What Is Laminate Flooring Underlayment?

Laminate flooring underlayment is a type of thin foam that is placed between the subfloor and the laminate planks or tiles. There are a number of benefits to using underlayment including the following: Underlayment helps create a sound barrier between the subfloor and laminate flooring. This, in turn, reduces the hollow sound of footsteps that homeowners frequently complain about. Underlayment is particularly important in rooms that are located on an upper floor since it can help dampen the sound of footsteps in any rooms that are located directly below the room where the flooring is installed. Laminate flooring is relatively thin. Any imperfections in the subfloor may show through or cause issues once the flooring is installed. Underlayment helps eliminate this problem by creating a soft, smooth surface for the flooring. Bumps, ridges or cracks in the underlying floor are less likely to cause problems if there is underlayment between them and the laminate flooring.

The Experience of Laminate Flooring Underlayment Absorbs Shock

Underlayment helps create a softer feeling under foot. If the flooring is installed directly on the subfloor, it can create an extremely hard surface that jolts the body with every step. The addition of padded underlayment helps absorb the energy of each footfall, creating a softer, more comfortable surface to walk on. In some cases, underlayment can act as a moisture barrier. Although not every type of laminate underlayment is designed to block moisture, certain types are. If you are installing laminate flooring directly over concrete, for instance, using a moisture barrier is essential to prevent trapped moisture from damaging the floor. This can be accomplished by using a standard underlayment in conjunction with a vapor barrier, or by using an underlayment that is designed to act as a vapor barrier on its own. As you can see, there are a number of benefits associated with laminate flooring underlayment. Not only can it act as an effective sound barrier but it can also create a floor that is more comfortable to walk on. Perhaps most importantly, however, it can prevent damage to the flooring itself by protecting it from moisture or from any imperfections in the subfloor. Laminate flooring underlayment