Do You Use Padding With Laminate Flooring?

Standard Underlayment

• Standard underlayment is 1/8 inch thick. The foam padding is used in areas where there is no problem with moisture, such as to cover a plywood subfloor or a concrete floor that is above ground. Condos with concrete subfloors on the second and third stories can use standard foam underlayment. However, if you desire sound reduction, the standard foam underlayment is not suitable.

Modified Underlayment

• Modified underlayment is thicker than standard foam underlayment. The material is denser and can be made of rubber, fiber or closed-cell foam. Modified underlayment doesn’t reduce the noise made when you walk across the floor, but is used on floors above the first level to reduce the noise downstairs. Different products vary in thickness and sound level reduction.

Combination Underlayment

• Combination underlayment is used on concrete floors or in areas where moisture between the laminate and subfloor could be a problem. If you are installing laminate flooring on a subfloor over a crawlspace, in a basement or on a first floor with a concrete floor, you need a moisture barrier. Combination underlayment includes both standard foam and 6 mil polyethylene film, which is the moisture barrier.

Cork Underlayment

• Cork underlayment is typically 1/4 inch thick, but the thickness depends on the manufacturer. Cork must be glued to the subfloor before the laminate is installed. Cork underlayment has a high rating for deadening the sound heard below the floor. In order to use cork, the floor must be completely flat with no imperfections in the subfloor. Generally, cork is used in condos or when you need to increase the height of the subfloor.