When it comes to installing a new laminate floor, it is essential to invest in an underlay that can reduce sound by 20 to 30 dB or more. Our top recommendation is the Royale Professional Sonic Gold 7mm base, which is perfect for hardwood floor finishes without the need for an additional top coat. For any finer hard finish, we suggest using a 6mm hardboard as an underlay to provide a flat, stable base. If you are looking for soundproof tiles, you should use a 12 mm hardwood layer on top of the bottom soundproofing layer before placing the tiles.
The Best Underlayment for Laminate Floors
For laminate flooring, our QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl is the leading soundproof underlayment product. It has an expected Delta IIC of 21 and can be used with laminate or engineering floors. To address low-frequency sounds, such as the sounds of bass music, we recommend adding a dampening compound between two rigid layers. The green glue-absorbing compound does a good job of converting sound waves into heat. Roberts Super Felt Premium has the sound-absorbing properties you would expect from an acoustic base (Delta IIC 2).It is around 20% cheaper than most of its competitors and can be used with laminate or engineering floors. Natural cork subfloor is also a very good material to work with and has a Delta IIC of 22. The FloorMuffler UltraSeal is the soundproofed subfloor without compromise. It has better sound-absorbing properties than its competitors and includes a vapor barrier. The Delta IIC of 25 is great and it can be used with laminate or engineering floors. For rooms with less traffic, such as a guest room, storage room, or dressing room, we recommend the silent 3-in-1 vapor barrier.
For carpets, an acoustic felt is the best choice as it is thinner and less dense than other materials. Fibreboard is an excellent choice for laminate or wood floors as it helps to smooth uneven floors, reduces noise and acts as an excellent thermal insulator. Rubber-based bases are also great for wooden floors as they create a fantastic acoustic barrier. However, problems can occur when the soil being worked on is not properly prepared.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best underlayment for your laminate flooring, there are many options available. Our top recommendation is the Royale Professional Sonic Gold 7mm base for hardwood floor finishes without the need for an additional top coat.For laminate flooring, our QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl is the leading soundproof underlayment product with an expected Delta IIC of 21. Roberts Super Felt Premium has the sound-absorbing properties you would expect from an acoustic base (Delta IIC 2). Natural cork subfloor also has a Delta IIC of 22 and FloorMuffler UltraSeal has a Delta IIC of 25. For rooms with less traffic, such as a guest room, storage room, or dressing room, we recommend the silent 3-in-1 vapor barrier. For carpets, an acoustic felt is the best choice and fibreboard is great for laminate or wood floors. Finally, rubber-based bases are also great for wooden floors but make sure that the soil being worked on is properly prepared.
