How Forgiving Is Laminate Underlay?

Forgiveness

• The amount of forgiveness that laminate underlayment has ultimately depends upon the type of material it is composed of and the material from which the subfloor is constructed. Most underlayment is made of some type of foam material. The thickness of the foam determines the amount of cushion it provides. Also, the type of floor upon which it sits will also factor into the equation. A foam underlayment sitting on a plywood floor will have sightly more give than one sitting directly on a concrete slab.

Foams

• Most underlayments consist of some type of foam material that is rolled out across the floor. This foam is usually about 1/8 inch thick and provides some cushion when the floor is stepped on. The sound created when someone walks on a laminate floor often is a hollow-sounding click. Some foam has a moisture barrier on the underside, which may eliminate some of this sound, but it does not necessarily add forgiveness.

Cork

• A second type of underlayment sometimes used for laminate flooring is composed of cork. The benefit it offers is elimination of the hollow sound often associated with laminate flooring. The intention is make laminate flooring more closely mimic natural wood flooring. This flooring will have some forgiveness, but usually slightly less than a standard foam underlayment.

Upgraded or Modified Foam

• An alternative to using cork to eliminate the sound made by a laminate floor is to use a modified or upgraded form of foam flooring. This is usually thicker and has more forgiveness than a standard foam underlayment. The upgraded underlayment may consist of rubber or some other type of material designed to provide a greater level of cushion. It is often chosen by homeowners who also want to eliminate the hollow sound associated with laminate floors.