The Spruce
thespruce.com โบ best-underlayment-laminate-flooring-4111149
Laminate Flooring: With Pad vs. Without
August 9, 2022 - Here are some factors to consider about installing laminate flooring with separate padding: It's inexpensive: It is usually cheaper to buy laminate flooring without attached underlayment because you have the ability to price out all your separate ...
Reddit
reddit.com โบ r/homeimprovement โบ laminate floor with attached underlayment or without? pros vs cons?
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: Laminate floor with attached underlayment or without? Pros vs cons?
July 5, 2021 -
For DIY projects (as a beginner), is it recommended to purchase laminate floor with the attached underlayment or without it? Any specific pros and cons I should know about?
Thanks!
Top answer 1 of 4
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Here is a key to successful laminate flooring : use only material that is at least 10 mm, not including any underlay. Avoid 7 and 8 mm products entirely. 12 mm ( not including any attached underlay) is even better, but 10 mm not including underlay us minimum! Itโs andy better to find narrower planks , less than 5โ . Narrow thick planks are not nearly as prone to cupping, which occurs in cheap laminate.
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I would just go by the price and quality of laminate. Laying down underlayment is just unrolling plastic on the floor and maybe taping it down(so it doesnt roll back) So very little impact.
Videos
15:47
Before You Buy Laminate - Complete Guide To Laminate Flooring for ...
00:54
When to use underlayment for laminate flooring - YouTube
02:11
Floor Pad - Pre-attached, Not Attached, or Not Even Needed? - YouTube
15:33
If Your Vinyl Plank has Attached Pad | Do You NEED More Pad? - YouTube
06:04
Installation of DuoLoc laminate with attached pad (English) - YouTube
12:26
Laminate flooring for beginners // Buying to install - YouTube
SWISS KRONO
swisskrono.com โบ swiss krono usa โบ company โบ swiss krono usa โบ the learning center โบ planning โบ why you should put underlayment under your laminate floor
Why You Should Put Underlayment Under Your Laminate Floor
Underlayment does two things that are critical to a successful laminate flooring installation:1. Underlayment takes out any minor deviations in the subfloor.2. Underlayment delivers superior acoustical performance.If your laminate flooring planks already have an underlayment pad attached do not use additional underlayment because doing so will void your Swiss Krono warranty.
JustAnswer
justanswer.com โบ home-improvement โบ p038l-going-install-new-laminate-flooring-living.html
Laminate Flooring Installation: Do You Need Underlayment? FAQ
Hi, I'm planning to install new laminate flooring in my living room. The previous floor didn't have an attached pad, so there was underlayment foam rolled over it, which is still in good condition. However, the actual floor got damaged from furniture. I purchased laminate flooring that recommends underlayment for better acoustic performance and comfort.
MP Global Products
mpglobalproducts.com โบ home โบ when underlayment is not necessary for laminate flooring
When Underlayment is Not Necessary for Laminate Flooring
June 4, 2025 - You do get a little more convenience with having attached pad, but underlayment is easy to install.โ ยท A separate underlayment will still provide plenty of benefits for anyone who is already set on pad-attached laminate flooring.
MP Global Products
mpglobalproducts.com โบ home โบ laminate flooring with attached underlayment: pros and cons
Laminate Flooring With Attached Underlayment: Pros and Cons
June 10, 2025 - More time to figure out what ... for many homeowners. But depending on your specific needs, a separate underlayment might offer better long-term performance....
GreenBuildingAdvisor
greenbuildingadvisor.com โบ home โบ questions โบ pad or no pad between 2f wood subfloor and laminate flooring?
Pad or no pad between 2F wood subfloor and laminate flooring? - GreenBuildingAdvisor
June 3, 2020 - (2) The padding is an effective air seal, so air doesn't rise up through the 1F ceiling penetrations and into the 2F living space. With no air movement, the 2F subfloor is safe. ... I suspect the padding is present to facilitate installation over uneven surfaces and mitigate sound.
Top answer 1 of 3
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Go with what the brand recommends or the flooring instructions specify.
Compression of additional underlayment, under normal use dynamic loads (walking etc..), may cause unnecessary movement and flexing at the seams / joints and thus possibly lead to premature failure.
This can result failure of the moisture seal at the seams, or mechanical locking, or cracking of the tile.
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For planks with attached underlayment, it is not acceptable to install additional underlayment prior to flooring installation.
Pergo Xtra documentation
The instructions will be painfully clear about this. You really should read them thoroughly to achieve a satisfactory outcome and not void your warranty.
JustAnswer
justanswer.com โบ home-improvement โบ jhgyk-need-install-padding-laminate-floor.html
Do I Need Padding Under Laminate Flooring? Expert Q&A Guide
When installing laminate flooring over glued-down engineered hardwood on a slab, padding or underlayment is recommended to reduce noise, provide cushioning, and help with minor subfloor imperfections.
floorMuffler
floormuffler.com โบ should-i-use-an-underlayment-with-attached-pad-flooring
Should I Use Underlayment with Attached Pad Flooring?
April 2, 2025 - Increased wear and tear: Not using underlayment with attached pad flooring can result in a lack of durability. Without this layer, you may face costly repairs to fix the moisture-related challenges like warping or buckling, that underlayment ...
Alpod
alpod.eu โบ poฤetna โบ laminate flooring with attached pad needs no separate underlayment
Laminate flooring with attached pad shortens the laying process
January 31, 2024 - Laminate flooring with pad will free you of that extra step of fitting the padding under laminate flooring. This way the installation will go even quicker and easier, and you`re enabled to concentrate more on the visual appearance of the top ...
FM Pro Remodeling
fmproremodel.com โบ can-i-install-laminate-flooring-without-underlayment
Can I Install Laminate Flooring Without Underlayment?
It is possible to lay laminate flooring without underlayment, but it is a terrible idea. This protective layer of padding mutes the sound of walking on the flooring, creates a moisture barrier for the floor or subfloor beneath it, and insulates.
The Garage Journal
garagejournal.com โบ forums โบ the garage โบ flooring
Laminate floors (planks): Attached vs unattached underlayment? | The Garage Journal
December 9, 2018 - It's a problem if you're concerned about sound transmission to the floor below (like in a condo with IIC requirements) or are relying on the separate pad to also function as a moisture barrier (not a good idea IMO, 6- mil poly is cheap). It's not as easy anymore to find laminate or floating LVP without pad attached, seems like most products have cork or foam on the back.
Houzz
houzz.com โบ discussions โบ 1276400 โบ 12mm-laminate-flooring-with-attached-pad-vs-8-9mm-with-deluxe-pad
12mm laminate flooring with attached pad vs 8-9mm with deluxe pad?
We have a laminate picked out at Lumber Liquidators we like, but our builder REALLY wants us to go through the local guy (and I am all for local small town business as well), however, the local guy only carries a brand that generally comes in 8 or 9 mm thickness (a few colors can be ordered in 12mm) and he recommends a pad that is a lot thicker and NOT attached so it allows for more movement/cushion and sound dampening.
Quora
quora.com โบ Do-I-need-an-underlayment-for-laminate-flooring-with-an-attached-pad
Do I need an underlayment for laminate flooring with an attached pad? - Quora
Answer: NO !! The pad IS the underlayment. If you add another layer of underlayment, the floor will flex too much and the planks/tiles will decouple under load. BTDT. The attached pads do not cover the entire bottom surface of the planks, so ...
Top answer 1 of 2
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After doing a bit more research the answer appears to be "it depends on the product."
Some pads are designed to also be a moisture barrier and some are not so read the product specifications.
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I'm not a fan of moisture barriers in basements but it likely would be a good thing under the floor. That said, it all depends on the flooring. The flooring will tell you exactly what you need to install it.
Personally, in a basement, I'd definitely add at least the pad...not so much for sound suppression (which is nice) but just to have a small thermal barrier between the cold concrete.
Diverse Flooring
diverseflooring.ca โบ blog โบ articles โบ does-laminate-flooring-come-with-an-attached-pad
Does laminate flooring come with an attached pad? | Maple Ridge, BC | Diverse Flooring
January 4, 2024 - Why do laminate floors need an underpadding? An underpadding is necessary if your chosen flooring is a thinner product. Without it, subfloor imperfections can telegraph through to the surface of the flooring.
Address ย 20295 113B Ave #1 Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6E9
Simply Underlay
simplyunderlay.co.uk โบ pre-attached-vs-separate-underlay
Laminate flooring: pre-attached vs separate underlay
October 4, 2023 - Laminate boards with padding attached are usually much thinner overall than if you were to combine a separate underlay with laminate. This can make your flooring feel less solid underfoot and reduce its durability, not to mention having to sacrifice ...
The Virtual Pinball Forums
vpforums.org โบ index.php
How to Choose Underlayment For Your Laminate Floor: A Complete Guide - Pinball Discussion Forum - VPForums.org
October 10, 2025 - Installing laminate hardwood flooring can give your home an elegant, high-end look without the hefty price tag. However, in order to achieve professional results that last, it is important to install a quality underlayment beneath the laminate. Underlayment serves several key purposes: it absorbs sound, shields against moisture, and provides thermal insulation.
Carpet Captain
carpetcaptain.com โบ laminate-floor-guide โบ underlayment
Laminate Underlayment Guide โ Carpet Captain
July 6, 2021 - If youโre really pinching pennies, you might be able to do without underlayment over vinyl flooring or a newly installed sub-floor. Both can be smooth, dry surfaces. The purpose of attached pad is to eliminate the need for underlayment.