The laminate base is a thin, padded layer of material that is placed underneath the laminate floor. It protects your laminate from damage and extends its lifespan, as well as providing other benefits, such as reduced noise, comfort and insulation. Acoustic underlay for laminate is a must since the laminate is a floating floor, it must be distributed evenly throughout the subfloor. The subfloor is what allows the floor to float, gives it stability, support and reduces noise, and supports locking systems between the boards to ensure the most robust floor project. There are several different subfloor options, and selecting the right one for your project can be somewhat complicated.
But if you're used to other types of flooring, such as solid wood, vinyl, and tile, all of which don't require underlayment, you'll be surprised to learn that underlayment is practically required underneath laminate flooring. Laminate subfloor is a soft pad that is installed under the laminate floor. The subfloor helps the laminate planks to be smoother, to connect better and to make the floor feel a little softer when stepped on. The subfloor is prefixed to the bottom of the laminate floor by the manufacturer or the user installs it separately. When the subfloor is attached to the floor, there is no need to do anything else.
Laminate flooring is ready for installation. Using a second layer of underlayment is useless and can even be harmful. When the subfloor is not fixed, the rolls must be purchased and installed separately. The bottom layer is made of polyethylene foam, felt or cork. The strips, generally 36 to 44 inches wide, are attached side by side with adhesive tape or adhesive strips attached to them. The rolls are 30 to 100 feet in length, with thicknesses typically ranging from 2 mm to 3 mm.
Laminate flooring is thin and constructed with a type of fiberboard instead of solid wood or even plywood, as is the case with engineered wood floors. Because laminate floors can be difficult to install on surfaces that are even a little imperfect, subflooring is a recommended complement. An advantage of placing a separate subfloor rather than installing a laminate floor with a pre-fixed subfloor is that a separate subfloor provides a more cohesive barrier beneath the laminate. With the subfloor prefixed, the seams between the planks are hollow in the subfloor. The only case where a subfloor is absolutely not needed is when the laminate floor already has a subfloor attached to its underside. The laminate floor you are going to buy may already have a pre-fixed subfloor, making a separate subfloor unnecessary.
A rare feature just a few years ago, laminate with prefixed underlayment is now found in increasing numbers. Currently, more than 50 percent of Lumber Liquidators laminate floors come with prefixed padding. More than 75 percent of Pergo's laminates now have a pre-fixed subfloor. Laminate flooring is a durable and cost-effective floor covering that will last for many years. Although for some subfloors, the base layer is not strictly necessary, it is recommended.
The base layer helps the laminate planks to be distributed evenly throughout the subfloor and supports the locking system between the planks to ensure that the floor is resistant. The subfloor for laminate floors can come in different materials such as foam, cork, felt and rubber. Foam is usually a cheaper option, while rubber and felt are usually a more premium option. The subfloor often comes in rolls and is installed by unrolling it over the subfloor, and then the floor covering is placed on top. The subfloor conditions will significantly influence whether the laminate subfloor is essential or not. However, there are other factors to consider as well.
Humidity is especially important among these. Underlayment is basically essential for areas that tend to be wetter and more prone to moisture, as this also increases the amount of moisture in the subfloors. Without a subfloor to add a layer between these damp subfloors and the floor surface, the laminate can quickly become wet, deformed and moldy, affecting its overall integrity. Moisture over time can also break down the adhesive on the floor causing it to begin to deform. If you have purchased a laminate floor that already has a subfloor attached to it you should not use an additional subfloor. It's a feeling that becomes evident when walking from a solid surface such as tile to a laminate floor with a subfloor.
A separate subfloor will continue to provide many benefits to anyone already placed on a laminate floor attached to a pad. Laminate usually contributes to a cold floor surface which only gets worse with no base layer. Yes felt paper underlayment can be installed under your laminate floor and it's usually an economical option out there. If no base layer is used there's danger that your laminate will be damaged if many people walk on it. If you're installing your laminate floor with pre-fixed underlayment over wooden substrate you won't need any additional underlayment. Using an underlay adds additional costs when installing your laminate but in long run it adds extra life not mentioning its performance making it cost effective unless your boards have pre-fixed base layer you'll need purchase separate one for your project if not protected moisture can accumulate under your laminate causing boards warp. They usually have minor imperfections and slight variations which can seriously affect softness of any floor placed on them affecting connection between sheets.
Laminate resists moisture minor flood damage as long as layer steam installed underneath bottom layer if you're going install your laminate over wooden substrate you must use standard one for top quality.
