If you are purchasing good quality laminate flooring with attached underlayment, you probably won't have to concern yourself with choosing laminate padding. The best flooring brands now come with underlayment already conveniently attached, making installation even less time consuming. However, this isn't the case in all instances. So, it will be worth your while to know a bit about laminate padding before you go shopping.
Note: View this collection of laminate floor underlay: while available you can order free samples, with no shipping costs either at the time of writing!
The manufacturer of your flooring planks or tiles should give you a clear indication of the requirements in terms of laminate padding. It is important to choose the best you can afford, as it can have a whole range of benefits. Don't see this as an unnecessary add-on. It is crucial for the success of your installation. Don't feel intimidated by sales people. By doing just a bit of homework online before you buy, you can talk to them like an old DIY pro!
The laminate padding or underlayment will be placed directly on the sub floor. The flooring planks or tiles will then be assembled on top of the pad. You will probably be installing what is called a floating floor. This refers to a floor that isn't glued or nailed to the sub floor. It usually consists of tongue and groove planks that 'click' together to form firm joints.
5 Top Benefits Of Laminate Padding Or Underlayment
- Helps with sound dampening
- Makes your floor a bit more comfortable underfoot by providing cushioning
- It often also includes a barrier against moisture
- If there are imperfections in the floor where you are doing the installation, the padding should help
- It helps with thermal insulation
The least expensive option will be standard foam. However, note that this won't be very effective in terms of sound insulation and it also doesn't include a moisture barrier.If your main goal is to dampen sound, you should rather choose an acoustical underlayment such as SoundChoice Underlay with Moisture Barrier. This has been manufactured to help to reduce impact sound when using the floor. In addition (if you are installing the floor in an upper floor), it is also very effective in terms of lessening the sound that travels to the floor below the installation. It will also help with imperfections in the sub floor, should this be an issue. It comes with a moisture barrier.
Another possibility is Duo Foam underlayment. This is a 2-in-1 product consisting of a PolyFoam layer combined with a polyethylene film that acts as a moisture barrier. This can be used if you are doing the installation over a concrete sub floor for instance, where you will need moisture protection.
You may get laminate flooring with attached underlayment that you want to install over a concrete sub floor. In this case you could opt for something like MoistureBlock underlayment. This is not a padding as such, but a Polyethylene film that can give adequate moisture protection.
Remember, it is of little use to buy the best laminate flooring brand and then being left without anything in the kitty for the underlay! Make sure that you budget for the best laminate padding you can get to the most enjoyment from your floor for years to come.
Note: Check out this collection of laminate floor underlay: while available you can order free samples, with no shipping costs either at the time of writing!
