Thin Laminate Underlay

Why laminate flooring needs underlayment.

Thin laminate underlay.

Locking laminate flooring features tongue and groove construction which allows the planks to be snapped and locked into place. Laminate flooring is thin and is constructed of a type of fiberboard rather than solid hardwood or even plywood as with engineered wood flooring. In laminate flooring installations the underlayment is the thin flexible sheet of resilient material that is installed on top of a subfloor in order to act as a base for the laminate planks or tiles you re installing. Unfortunately the only two options are to either.

There is underlay for many different requirements such as fibre underlay for carpet to foam underlay which is suitable for wood laminate and carpet. Laminate is a very thin material usually 6mm to 10mm in width. Laminate flooring underlayment cannot be too thick or it will compromise the joint integrity and be too bouncy causing the joints to fail and your floor s locking system to break. Underlay acts as an insulator whilst offering comfort and cushioning under your feet.

Laminate floors require a thin underlayment which feels softer underfoot and creates the realistic sound of walking on a hardwood floor. It s always a necessary step to include with your laminate flooring installation. While the subfloor provides the foundational support for the room the underlayment is what supports the flooring material itself intended to enhance and protect the flooring. Laminate flooring underlayment is at most 4mm thick.

An underlay is a thin layer of a cushioning material placed underneath your flooring.