If you are installing hardwood or engineered hardwood floors, you have many decisions to research and make. One such choice is the type of underlayment you will install. If this is your first step into hardwood flooring, this might be the first time you’ve even heard of underlayment. Once you know what it is, why you need it, and what choices are available, making the right decision for your new floors becomes simple.
What Is Hardwood Floor Underlayment?
Underlayment is a layer between your subfloor and your floor. While some flooring comes with the attached underlayment, others require installing a separate one. Underlayment often consists of rubber, cork, foam, or felt. Each option has different qualities to suit the needs of various floors and rooms. Though your underlayment will be invisible beneath your floor, choosing the right type will improve your flooring and help it last longer.
Why You Need Underlayment
While underlayment isn’t always necessary for hardwood floors, it has benefits. One of the most significant reasons to install underlayment is the added stability and durability. Underlayment supports your floor and smooths subfloor imperfections. It allows your flooring to lay correctly over the subfloor, preventing tripping hazards or an uneven appearance. Underlayment also provides extra sound absorption for your floor. Quality underlayment will muffle footsteps and other impact sounds and reduce echoes from voices, TVs, and other noises that travel through the air. Underlayment can also protect your hardwood floors from moisture damage. The underlayment’s moisture barrier is particularly beneficial for wood floorings, as it will help prevent warping and other expensive damages.
Hardwood Floor Felt Underlayment
Felt is one of the most popular types of hardwood underlayment. This option provides essential moisture resistance and sound absorption. You can choose heavier layers of black felt for additional insulation, sound absorption, and moisture resistance. Thick layers of black felt also provide extra cushioning, increasing the comfort of your room. Manufacturers create felt underlayment from recycled materials, making this an environmentally friendly option for your home. However, felt is relatively simple compared to other underlayment materials. While higher-density felt underlayment provides extra protection, it won’t absorb as much sound as other options.
Hardwood Floor Cork Underlayment
Though not quite as popular as felt, cork is an excellent choice due to its environmentally friendly materials and great sound absorption. Cork is a natural and renewable resource. And its exceptional sound absorption makes cork a popular choice for second-story rooms or apartments on higher floors. This firm yet flexible material is also perfect for adjusting to imperfections in the subfloor, providing extra stability to your floors. Cork is a natural insulator that can help regulate the floor’s temperature. This material also has anti-microbial properties that prevent the growth of bacteria and mold on your floors. However, the cork isn’t waterproof. You’ll want to look for cork underlayment options with a built-in water or vapor barrier.
Hardwood Floor Foam Underlayment
Foam underlayment is both affordable and easy to install. Like felt, foam provides extra cushioning for your wood floors. In addition to extra comfort, it also provides flexibility and insulation. Foam underlayment reduces friction between the floor and the subfloor as your wood naturally expands and contracts with the seasons. The foam also offers high sound absorption, which can drastically reduce hollow noises from echoing sound waves and impacts against the floor. Some foam underlayments come with a built-in moisture or vapor barrier to protect your wood floors from water damage—an important option to consider in basements, kitchens, or other rooms with a lot of water or humidity.
Hardwood Floor Rubber Underlayment
Rubber is another easy-to-install option, thanks to its flexibility and pliability. This versatile alternative offers excellent sound absorption, moisture resistance, and insulation. The naturally waterproof material helps prevent moisture issues in your wood, including mold or mildew growth. Rubber underlayment also offers superior sound absorption and prevents hollow-sounding floors. While rubber underlayment is less popular due to its higher price, the easy installation and incredible benefits make it an effective and versatile choice.
Indiana Floor, Inc.: Your One-Stop Shop for Quality Flooring Products
Since 1993, Indiana Floor has been the leading choice of contractor supply to the hardwood flooring trades. We offer a vast inventory of finished, unfinished, engineered flooring, sundries, and tools to meet customers’ needs. With 5 locations in the MD and VA areas, we are dedicated to providing quality flooring products to our clients. Contact us today at (703) 550-0020 or fill out the contact form on our website!