Laminate Flooring Underlayment Information

Standard Foam Underlayment

• The standard type of underlayment is thin foam used for covering concrete or plywood subfloors. This type of underlayment is ideal for areas where you don’t have a lot of moisture or need any type of noise barrier. If a concrete floor is above ground and not in a basement, you can use the standard foam. Other places for using this type of underlayment include living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.

Combo Underlayment

• The combo underlayment contains foam and a thin layer of polyurethane film attached that acts as a moisture barrier. Concrete basement floors always require a moisture barrier because the moisture from the soil underneath the floor makes the floor sweat. If you are laminating over plywood that is covering a crawl space, you would need to use combo underlayment for added protection. If a moisture barrier isn’t used, mold and mildew will grow between the concrete or plywood and laminate.

Cork Underlayment

• Noise reduction cork underlayment will reduce the noise levels between the floors. This underlayment doesn’t do anything for the comfort of walking on the floor and doesn’t insulate the floor from foot traffic noise in the same room. If you need to raise the floor level in one room to meet the level of an adjoining room, cork underlayment is ideal for the job. The most common thickness of cork underlayment is 1/4 inch thick, but his can vary depending on the manufacturer. Cork must be laid over a perfectly flat and level surface because it isn’t foam like the standard or combo material that can conform to tiny imperfections on the subfloor.

Upgraded Underlayment

• High quality upgraded underlayment is made from a higher quality foam and sturdier materials such as fibers and rubber. If you need a good sound barrier between rooms, this is the type of laminate underlayment to use. This type of underlayment will not reduce the foot traffic walking across a hard surface.