Choosing the right flooring underlayment?
Flooring underlayment is a specific material like thin foam pads that stays on top of the subfloor and cover all over the surface below the flooring. Type of underlayment are different, each type of flooring matches with especial underlayment. The purposes of its installation are to level the flooring, to avoid moisture getting to the floor, make the floor sound proof (as much as possible) and to help flooring planks to click better. Therefore, proper selection and installation of underlayment are important because it can affect the quality of the installation and durability of flooring.
2) What type of flooring are requiring underlayment
Any kind of click system floors needs to install with underlayment, such as laminate, hardwood and vinyl.
3) What is the perfect underlayment for laminate flooring?
Underlayment is a fundamental step for any laminate floors installation. Laminate flooring is not nailed or glued down, so it needs some type of foam to stay between the subfloor and laminate to allow it float easily. Here are several factors help to choose the correct one:
Install on top of basement’s concrete slab
If you are installing laminate on top of concrete, it is very important that a vapor barrier is used to prevent any moisture from underneath affecting the floors. This is a sheet of thin plastic material that will stop any moisture from being absorbed into the laminate boards.
Install on top of OSB or plywood subfloor
Wood subfloor installation require sound reduction underlayment, a standard foam underlayment will work perfectly.
What is the perfect underlayment for vinyl flooring?
Standard rubber underlayment with thickness of 1.5 to 3mm is required for any type of vinyl flooring installation.
What is the perfect underlayment for hardwood flooring?
Click system hardwood flooring needs a standard foam underpad or a rubber one. For nail down hardwood planks, wax paper is required. Petra Renovation as a Professional flooring Installation Company offers you many years of experiences regarding all type of flooring, materials and different installation method. Do you need advice? Call us!
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