Laminate flooring has attracted an increasingly large number of homes thanks to its elegant style, cost, and simplicity of maintenance. One crucial aspect of installing laminate flooring is selecting the right underlay to ensure it lasts for a long time and performs optimally.
In this article, we will delve into the importance of laminate underlay, its functions, and how to choose the right one for your home.
The Importance of Laminate Underlay
- Providing stability to the floor
- Acting as a soundproofing material to reduce noise transmission
- Providing insulation to protect from the cold and reduce energy usage
- Protecting the floor from moisture and mold growth
If used correctly, a laminate underlay may prolong the life of your flooring, lessen the need for maintenance, and improve the comfort level.
Considerations When Choosing Laminate Underlay
Type of subfloor: Identify whether you have a concrete or a wooden subfloor and select an underlay material appropriate for that subfloor.
Noise reduction: Noise reduction is achieved by finding an underlay with a high-impact sound rating (greater than 20 dB).
Thermal rating (TOG): When you want a room to be warm, select an underlay with a high TOG rating (0.5+).
Underfloor heating: If you have underfloor heating installed, select an underlay with a low TOG rating (below 0.5) to ensure efficient heat transfer.
Moisture and mold protection: Select an underlay with an embedded damp-proof membrane (DPM) or vapor barrier to prevent moisture-based floor issues.
Key Types of Laminate Underlay
PU Foam: A popular and affordable option, polyurethane (PU) foam is lightweight, easy to install, and provides good insulation.
Sponge Rubber: Durable and dense, sponge rubber is the right material for high-fidelity areas and delivers superior noise reduction (best-in-class).
Fibreboard: Fibreboard underlayment allows the leveling of irregular subfloors and offers robust thermal insulation.
Cork Underlay: Cork is an alternative that is more expensive, and is suitable for areas requiring strong soundproofing with a bruting arrangement of natural antimicrobial properties.
When selecting a laminate underlay, consider your specific needs and choose a material that matches your requirements.
Expert Recommendations
For noise reduction: Duralay Silentfloor Gold (24 dB sound impact rating)
For thermal rating: Duralay Timbermate Excel (0.55 TOG rating)
For underfloor heating: Duralay Heatflow Laminate & Wood (0.35 TOG rating)
For moisture and mold protection: Woodtex (cost-effective option with a silver backing)
Conclusion
Choosing the right laminate underlay is crucial for ensuring the longevity and performance of your flooring. Based on the criteria of subfloor type, noise reduction, thermal rating, UFH, and moisture performance, it is possible to choose the right underlay for your home.
Whatever you require for soundproofing, insulation or to protect your floor from moisture, our complete guide has given you the knowledge to make an intelligent choice. If you’re still unsure, please feel free to contact our expert team at [insert contact information].
Key Takeaways:
- Laminate underlayment is a critical component of the durability and effectiveness of your flooring.
- When selecting an underlayment for laminate, factors such as subfloor type, noise reduction, thermal rating, underfloor heating, and moisture protection should be taken into account.
- Select a material that meets the individual needs, one of the following, e.g., PU Foam, Sponge Rubber, Fibreboard, or Cork Underlay.
- Expert suggestions involve Duralay Silentfloor Gold, Duralay Timbermate Excel, Duralay Heatflow Laminate Wood, and Woodtex.
- Select the appropriate underlay to prolong the longevity of your flooring, minimize maintenance, and improve overall comfort.