Flooring Springfield Virginia Options

There is a Difference in Laminate Flooring Underlayment

Selecting a laminate flooring type and design can be difficult with the multiple choices on the market today. Getting the most life and comfort out of your new floor comes from the underlayment that is used between your new laminate flooring material and your existing floor.

Flexibility is a known quality of laminate flooring because it can be placed on a sub floor of particle wood, a concrete floor or an original wood floor just by using the proper underlayment. Often referred to as a ‘floating floor’ the flooring underlayment is designed to smooth out bumps and imperfections in your original floors so the laminate flooring lays evenly and the interlocking strips have less pressure on them.

Cork, rubber or foam are typical underlayment material types and will cushion the laminate from resting directly on a hard surface where the stress could be overbearing. Another key factor to underlayment is the ability to control moisture penetration. Concrete floors are especially known for creating a dampness that could ruin a laminate floor without the proper underlayment that absorbs the moisture.

Underlayment material also provides a certain degree of ‘R’ factor to enhance your insulation needs. Along with insulating and moisture control, a sound deafening quality can also be discovered from a quality underlayment. A special noise reduction laminate underlay can be purchased for a few cents more that will remove the hollow sound often associated with wood floors.

The type of flooring underlayment that should be used depends on the environment in which it is used. A good selection is the 2 in 1 underlayment that consists of a foam underlay plus a 6mm polyethylene film to receive the protection of adequate cushioning and vapor control. However, if you are working with an OSB sub floor, a vapor barrier material should not be used due to the lack of breathing space that is needed by any type of wood.

Before you select your laminate flooring for your home, consider what type of underlayment is going to be needed. The area of your home, your sub flooring type, if you will be placing heavy furniture on your new floor and insulation and sound deafening qualities, are some of the factors to review before shopping for the right type of underlayment.

A laminate floor can add distinction and beauty to your home but using the right underlayment to bring added comfort and protection is an important as the flooring itself. Look for all of the qualities in an underlayment that are necessary to prepare your original floor for your new laminate flooring material that will provide may years of lasting comfort to your home for many years to come.