Home Underlayment Why Do I Need Underlayment for Laminate Flooring Installation?

Why Do I Need Underlayment for Laminate Flooring Installation?

by Bestlaminate
Published: Last Updated on 31 comments 10 minutes read

When it comes to installing laminate flooring, choosing the right underlayment is crucial. As a floating floor, laminate flooring needs to have room to “breathe” and expand or contract with changes in temperature. Underlayment serves a vital role in allowing the floor to float while providing stability, support, noise reduction, and ensuring the locking systems between planks are secure for a durable flooring project.

With a variety of underlayment options available, selecting the appropriate one for your specific project is essential. Our team of flooring experts is dedicated to helping you understand the importance of underlayment and guiding you to the best option for your unique needs. So, let us assist you in making your laminate flooring installation a success!

How to Choose Your Underlayment

Choosing the right underlayment for your project is a crucial step. It all starts with your subfloor and the type of flooring you’re using.

When considering your subfloor, there are key factors to keep in mind. Whether you have a wood subfloor, cement, or are installing over an existing floor, there are important considerations to take into account.

Equally important is understanding the specific flooring you’re installing and its recommended installation method. For example, many laminate floors come with pre attached underlayment, but you may still need a vapor barrier for moisture protection.

Let’s delve into the details together to ensure you make an informed decision that meets your specific needs.

Installing on a Wood Subfloor

To ensure a successful installation of laminate flooring on a wood subfloor, it is crucial to properly prepare the subfloor. This involves making sure it is clean, level, and strong. In most cases, a standard underlayment is recommended for a well-prepared subfloor. This provides the necessary cushioning and support for your floating floor.

  • BestLaminate Standard Flooring Underlayment – Designed to give your flooring stability, reduce noise, and provide support for the locking systems, the Bestlaminate Standard Flooring Underlayment is an essential choice for floating floor installations. Especially when installing on wood subfloors, the standard underlayment is not only practical but also affordable.

However, if you are looking for additional benefits such as superior sound reduction, easier installation with an adhesive tape strip, or sound dampening and insulating properties, there are premium underlayment options available. These options are especially useful if you have specific priorities or if your subfloor has imperfections or creakiness. They offer noise reduction and cushioning capabilities. Here are a few suggestions:

  • BestLaminate Blue Vapor 3-in-1 Flooring Underlayment – Designed to cater to a wide range of flooring options including laminate flooring, this underlayment boasts of basic performance and moisture protection, with additional features such as an attached moisture barrier, tape for easy installation, and overlap for enhanced moisture protection.
  • BestLaminate Silver Vapor 3-in-1 Flooring Underlayment – Designed to provide ultimate protection for your laminate or engineered hardwood floating floors, the 3-in-1 Silver Vapor Barrier Underlayment boasts impressive features that make it a top choice. It offers excellent moisture barrier protection and sound reduction to keep your floors free of damage and noisy squeaks.
  • BestLaminate 3-in-1 Felt Flooring Underlayment – Designed to provide ultimate comfort and performance, Bestlaminate’s premium felt underlayment is perfect for laminate and engineered floating floors. With its superior sound reducing and insulating properties, this eco-friendly underlayment helps reduce noise and give your floors a soft cushion while also blocking out moisture thanks to its self sealing overlap and adhesive tape strip for easy installation.

To make your search for underlayment options quick and easy, you can use the filtering feature on our website’s underlayment category. Simply select the options that match your flooring and subfloor type. If you have any questions or need further assistance, our team of experts is always ready to help.

Installing on a Cement Subfloor

When it comes to installing laminate flooring over a cement subfloor, moisture can be a major concern. The ground beneath the concrete can release moisture that can seep up and damage your beautiful new flooring, especially if you’re installing in moisture-prone areas like basements.

To ensure your laminate flooring stays safe and moisture-free, it’s crucial to use underlayment with a vapor barrier. This underlayment acts as a protective barrier between the cement subfloor and your flooring, preventing any moisture from seeping through.

This is especially important if you’re installing in a below-ground level area like a basement, where the risk of moisture is even higher. By using one of these underlayments, you can have peace of mind knowing that your laminate flooring will remain in top condition for years to come.

  • BestLaminate Blue Vapor 3-in-1 Flooring Underlayment – Designed to cater to a wide range of flooring options including laminate flooring, this underlayment boasts of basic performance and moisture protection, with additional features such as an attached moisture barrier, tape for easy installation, and overlap for enhanced moisture protection.
  • BestLaminate Silver Vapor 3-in-1 Flooring Underlayment – Designed to provide ultimate protection for your laminate or engineered hardwood floating floors, the 3-in-1 Silver Vapor Barrier Underlayment boasts impressive features that make it a top choice. It offers excellent moisture barrier protection and sound reduction to keep your floors free of damage and noisy squeaks.
  • BestLaminate 3-in-1 Felt Flooring Underlayment – Designed to provide ultimate comfort and performance, Bestlaminate’s premium felt underlayment is perfect for laminate and engineered floating floors. With its superior sound reducing and insulating properties, this eco-friendly underlayment helps reduce noise and give your floors a soft cushion while also blocking out moisture thanks to its self sealing overlap and adhesive tape strip for easy installation.

Installing Flooring with Attached Underlayment

When it comes to laminate flooring, there are many designs available that come with pre-attached underlayment. This feature offers a great level of convenience, as it eliminates the need for purchasing and installing separate underlayment.

However, if you are planning to install laminate flooring with pre-attached underlayment on a cement subfloor, there is an important additional step to consider. To prevent moisture from seeping up through the subfloor, it is crucial to install a vapor barrier. This thin film serves as a protective layer, safeguarding your new flooring from any moisture-related issues. Our top recommendation for a reliable vapor barrier is Visqueen Vapor Block PE Film Flooring Underlayment.

  • Visqueen Vapor Block PE Film Flooring Underlayment – Designed to protect your laminate and vinyl flooring from moisture damage, the Visqueen film is the perfect solution. This practical and cost-effective moisture barrier provides a solid layer of protection between your subfloor and flooring, ensuring your investment lasts for years to come.

It’s crucial to pay attention to the back of your laminate flooring. If you have already purchased laminate flooring with underlayment already attached, it’s important to note that using additional underlayment is unnecessary. This is a common misconception, and using double padding can actually be detrimental. Having too much cushion can compromise the integrity of the locking system, resulting in an unstable floor.

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Got questions about underlayment? Leave a comment below and our flooring experts will be ready to assist you! We’re here to ensure your decision-making process is stress-free and your flooring project is a success.

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31 comments

TJ June 17, 2022 - 3:32 pm

What are the Floor laminates and underlay distance -s from the walls for expansion purposes?

Reply
Rachel Vahcic June 22, 2022 - 9:00 am

Thanks for your question, TJ. We recommend leaving a 1/4 inch expansion gap from the walls.

Reply
Ron thomas May 26, 2021 - 9:32 pm

I have a floor man doing my floor but he did not use the blue wrapping the underlay of the he only use the black what is the significance of leaving out the blue I have a concrete slab floor

Reply
Vanessa June 25, 2021 - 3:23 pm

Hi Ron, If he was installing laminate, you are required to have an underlayment. If you are installing vinyl, you are not required to use an underlayment. The underlayment helps the laminate float, allowing it to expand and contract. In most cases, underlayment will also have a vapor barrier which keeps any moisture away from the laminate planks.

Reply
Types of Flooring - How to Choose The Best Floor. - Poetry Homes March 11, 2021 - 1:53 pm

[…] place. The subfloor will prevent warping and provide a smooth surface to install the material. The most common underlays are foam, cork (for sound resistance), cement board and […]

Reply
Wendy Turner April 16, 2020 - 7:29 pm

How would you put a floating floor over tiles? Need underlay?

Reply
Alana Kane April 19, 2020 - 12:29 pm

Hi Wendy, thanks for the question. First, you will need to make sure the tile is level. You’ll need to fill in the grout lines if they are deep. If you are installing laminate, you will need a standard underlayment – no need for a vapor barrier. A vinyl can be installed directly over the tile once it is level.

Reply
Tyrone Campbell March 14, 2020 - 5:44 pm

I have already laid a high-grade locking laminate flooring but I put Kilz on the wood the wood was dry and no moisture found it is already installed will I have a problem with this high grade flooring in the future and the flooring is waterproof

Reply
Alana Kane March 30, 2020 - 6:07 am

Hi Tyrone, thanks for the question. Is the Kilz a sealant? We never recommend adding sealant or polish to a laminate, as the top layer is not natural wood. You may have problems with expansion if the polish adhered within the locking systems.

Reply
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