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If you plan on having any type of engineered wood flooring or laminate flooring in your house, you will definitely need laminate flooring underlayment. This is a popular method to secure your floors. It is called a free floating method because the underlayment used is not actually attached to the your floor. Boards are joined together and secured, and then the flooring underlayment is placed on top of the sub floor, with the actual main floor on top of it. Below, we’ll explain the benefits of flooring underlayment, as well as the different types.
Laminate Flooring Underlayment Benefits
One of the major benefits of laminate flooring underlayment is that it is installed to help lessen sound when people are walking on the floor. Another benefit of flooring underlayment is that it will make your floors feel softer when you walk on the floor. It also will absorb the structural edgings of the sub floor.
Types of Laminate Floor Underlayment
When it comes to laminate floor underlayment, there are four types that are the most common. Below we list and go into detail about each kind.
● Floor Muffler Underlayment
This brand of floor underlayment is known for having a moisture barrier. Many professionals prefer this brand because it is a major upgrade from regular foam underlayment. It is commonly known as the best sound-reducing underlayment on the market, and is mold resistant and mildew resistant. If your floor is susceptible to moisture, you should choose floor muffler.
● Cork Underlayment
Although solid cork underlayment is a more expensive option than foam, it is better overall underlayment. Similar to the floor muffler style, solid cork underlayment is good at preventing sound and it also resists moisture. If you pair cork underlayment with laminate flooring, the combination will feel like a hardwood floor. Another benefit to choosing cork underlayment is that since it is a renewable resource, it is the most environmentally friendly option for underlayment.
● Foam Underlayment
The most common and cost-efficient type of flooring underlayment is foam floor underlayment. It is not a great option for reducing noise from the floors or making the floor more comfortable to walk on. Due to this, foam floor underlayment is best suited as an option on the first floor. You also should use foam floor underlayment in a place where moisture is unlikely to be present.
● Foam/Film Underlayment
Since there is a foam and moisture protection built into this underlayment option, it is considered a cheaper version of cork underlayment. In order to keep moisture off of your foam underlayment and the top layers of your flooring, you need to have a combination of foam and film. Just using foam underlayment will not protect the top layer of flooring from any type of moisture.
Laminate Flooring in New Jersey
For every homeowner or business owner, the choice of your residential flooring or commercial flooring are big decisions for how your home or business will look and feel. There are a lot of factors you need to consider when choosing a flooring option and subsequently your flooring underlayment. If you decided to choose laminate or vinyl for your flooring option for you business or home, you also will need laminate floor underlayment. Laminate flooring is a great flooring option that we can offer you at Alite Flooring in Fairfield, New Jersey, in addition to other options and services. We also offer multiple other options for your home and business needs. If you would like to learn more about Alite Flooring and the services we offer, feel free to contact us today at our Fairfield, New Jersey, office.
