Before embarking upon a flooring installation project it is important to determine whether or not you’ll need to use underlay for your chosen flooring product type. The manufacturer instructions will advise as to whether this is the case, but how to choose the right type? For those of you unfamiliar with what underlay is, the different types available, and which type to use with specific flooring types, we’ve put together this handy guide on how to choose the right underlay!
What Is Underlay?
Underlay is a thin layer of cushioning material that sits between the subfloor and your chosen flooring to provide extra comfort and protection.
What Are the Benefits of Using Underlay?
Underlay can have a big impact on the look and feel of your flooring. Its benefits include:
- Soundproofing – reducing the sound of footsteps and echoes
- Providing cushioning underfoot
- Levelling out the subfloor and hiding small imperfections
- Creating a moisture barrier to protect your flooring from the water rising from the subfloor
- Insulating – warming the home and helping you save money on energy bills
What Types of Underlay Are Available?
There is a large selection of underlay to choose from, the most common being:
- 2mm Clear Underlay (no protective membrane)
- 2mm Silver Underlay (protective membrane)
- 3mm Gold Underlay (protective membrane)
- 1.5mm LVT Underlay
- 4mm Fibre Boards
When installing underlay ahead of laying flooring, always make sure the colour side of your underlay is facing down towards the ground.
What is the Best Type of Underlay for Laminate Flooring?
Our 2mm Clear Underlay and 2mm Silver Underlay are the best to use with laminate flooring as they help to protect from high impact damage and provide shock absorption from heavy footfall, which could otherwise cause wear and tear to your flooring over time.
What is the Best Type of Underlay for Engineered Wood Flooring?
Our 3mm Gold Underlay is best for use with engineered wood flooring, as the damp-proof membrane will help to protect from water damage such as warping. If your subfloor is particularly uneven then it might be best to opt for 4mm Fibre Boards.
What is the Best Type of Underlay for Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
Similarly to laminate flooring, 2mm Clear, 2mm Silver or 1.5mm LVT Underlay is best for LVT flooring. However, we do have a range of LVT flooring here at Tile Mountain that has in-built underlay to save you time, money, and effort when undertaking a new flooring installation project. Check out our full range of In-Built Underlay Luxury Vinyl Flooring.
Hopefully, any questions you may have had about which types of underlay are required for the different types of flooring products have been answered after reading this handy guide. If you’re still unsure or just need a little bit of extra help then why not give our friendly customer services guys a call on 01782 223822 or hit us up via our live chat function for some free, impartial advice. You might also enjoy these posts on the Tile Mountain blog… https://www.tilemountain.co.uk/blog/new-video-how-to-install-engineered-wood-flooring/ https://www.tilemountain.co.uk/blog/23046-2/ https://www.tilemountain.co.uk/blog/laminate-flooring-all-your-questions-answered/
