Which Underlayment is Best?

Laminate flooring, though a relatively new invention is one of the most popular types of flooring in the world today. It has reached its level of popularity because it is affordable, easy to install and will give you the look of an expensive floor. You can choose between the look of a hardwood floor, a tile floor or a stone floor. Laminate flooring is often far more comfortable to walk on, thanks to the underlayment layer of flooring that is installed between the sub-floor and the laminate planks. So which underlayment is best? Read on to find out!

Here are the major types of underlayment:

Standard Foam Underlayment: This is the most common type of underlayment. This underlayment is a thin foam pad that is about one eighth of an inch thick. This underlayment only provides a basic level of correction to the sub floor and does not do much to reduce sound or increase comfort. Standard foam underlayment works well in environments where moisture is not an issue and is most often installed over a plywood subfloor.

Combination Foam/Firm Underlayment: This is basically the same underlayment as the standard foam, but it has a moisture barrier attached to one of its sides. This barrier prevents the moisture that accumulates on the sub-floor from causing damage to the laminate flooring. Other than the moisture barrier, it is the exact same stuff as the standard foam underlayment.

Floor Muffler Brand Underlayment: This underlayment is made from a type of closed cell foam and a moisture barrier. It is the next step up from the standard foam or the combo foam/firm underlayment. Floor Muffler brand is made to work like cork underlayment but at a fraction of the cost. It reduces sound, can be used on both concrete and wooden sub floors and was made to be thicker and more comfortable than other underlayment.

Modified (Upgraded) Underlayment: this type of underlayment is generally made to be denser and thicker than the standard foam underlayment. It is usually made from rubber, closed cell foam, high density foam or from fiber. The main goal of the modified underlayment is to give a greater reduction in sound than the standard underlayment.

Solid Cork Underlayment: Solid cork is an underlayment that is made from corkwood. Cork underlayment is the best underlayment you can buy and the price reflects this. Cork is better for the environment, moisture resistant, softer to walk on and the best in terms of sound reduction (cork is often used to sound proof walls). Cork can be used under almost all laminate flooring but you might want to install an extra moisture barrier just in case.

There are a number of factors to deciding which underlayment is best, like your budget, the size of your room, what the room will be used for and where the room is located. Hopefully, though, now that you have learned about the different types of underlayment that are available deciding which underlayment is best will be a much easier process.

Installing Laminate Flooring Tip #1

Not all house walls are perfectly straight. In order to get a good fit on your first board, you may have to cut it to match the curve in your wall.

Installing Laminate Flooring Tip #2

Unlike most hardwood flooring, laminates are virtually dent resistant, but remember you can find a good selection of matching fillers online in case of any gouges or dents.

Installing Laminate Flooring Tip #3

Make sure you clean your floor thoroughly before you start working, use either a vacuum or a stiff bristled broom. Once your floor is clean and clear of debris you will be in a good position to determine if your floor is even or not.

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