June 4, 2025 - For laminate flooring, opting for underlayment is required by the flooring manufacturer. After all, you really do get several benefits from using the specialized padding. Extra stability and support, noise reduction, cushioning, improved plank ...

August 24, 2023 - As part of the assembly, it also helps reduce sound transmission between floors and helps protect the flooring material from moisture. Plywood underlayment is an important part of any flooring project.

Answer (1 of 2): That can vary. Using an underlayer that is not porous can lead to diasterous results. Especially if you have pets or children and are subect to liquid spillage. Don’t use laminate in Kitchen or bath areas. Luxury Vinyl is much more suited. Underlayment trap liquids leading ...

Underlayment creates a barrier between your floating laminate flooring and the subfloor. Laminate has some moisture resistance, but spills should be cleaned up immediately to prevent swelling and other damage.

This is particularly true in older homes. With this type of subfloor, you want underlayment that forms a solid barrier between moisture and your laminate flooring material. Plywood is a natural material that is slightly porous.

“Combination underlayments,” as described on learn.builddirect.com, include an attached vapor barrier. Some laminate flooring planks come with the underlayment attached to each plank. Underlayment is not optional.

August 31, 2025 - Notes Laying laminate over basic plywood (dry area) Yes Foam underlayment works Plywood over humid/crawlspace areas Yes Moisture barrier underlayment Laminates with built-in pad Usually no Double layer not recommended Common Mistakes & Fixes ... Let’s get one thing straight: laminate flooring can seriously upgrade the look of any room, but the trick to making it look and feel like the real deal is all in the prep—specifically, the underlayment.

January 20, 2023 - A combination foam underlayment made of standard foam combined with an impermeable layer to keep out moisture is a popular choice. Plywood: Unlike with concrete, you should never use an underlayment with a vapour barrier if your subfloor is plywood.

November 6, 2020 - The laminate panels need to be ... which can affect the quality of the laminate installation. Installing an underlay evens out any imperfections in the subfloor, helping ensure the laminate is level and stable....

May 6, 2021 - Your need for underlayment depends the specifications of your laminate and your pre-existing subfloor. To start, you will need to figure out the material of your subfloor and the condition it is in.

June 27, 2024 - Underlayment is a recommended supplement unless it is already bonded to the bottom of the planks. ... Subfloors are often not perfectly flat and featureless. Subfloors exposed after removing the existing flooring are often dotted with nail holes, ...

May 3, 2023 - Here are a few important factors to take into consideration. ... The type of subfloor makes a difference in your flooring underlayment. Plywood: A plywood subfloor will not need as thick or sturdy of underlayment as concrete.

August 5, 2019 - You won’t need an underlayment if your vinyl plank flooring has underlayment installed. However, you may need a vapor barrier. The type of underlayment you should use depends on the subfloor and whether it’s concrete, plywood, or existing flooring material.

March 8, 2023 - Laminate floors can be installed directly over concrete, plywood, OSB, parquet, vinyl and tile. The underlayment must be applied to the original flooring surface first, and then the floating floor can be installed.

February 25, 2023 - OSB: Orient-strand board may be used as an underlayment for some floor coverings, but plywood is generally preferred for any flooring where a hard underlayment is recommended. Flooring underlayment of some type is usually required with most ...

Answer (1 of 12): The crawl space is usually vented, so moisture should not be a problem if the standard has been followed. Nonetheless use an underlay to reduce noise. Make sure the subfloor is secure and not creaking when stepped on.

January 22, 2024 - Underlayment for laminate flooring is a must. Since laminate is a floating floor, it must be evenly distributed across your subfloor.

July 8, 2024 - One of the most common laminate ... underlayment?’ Laminate flooring underlayment is essential for installation as it allows to laminate flooring to expand and contract properly on top of the subfloor....