{"id":1755,"date":"2021-01-16T10:13:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-16T15:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/?p=1755"},"modified":"2024-02-29T17:18:04","modified_gmt":"2024-02-29T22:18:04","slug":"how-to-choose-underlayment-laminate-flooring-concrete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diywithchristine.com\/how-to-choose-underlayment-laminate-flooring-concrete\/","title":{"rendered":"Underlayment: Choosing The Best Option To Protect Your Laminate Flooring"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Wondering if you need underlayment for laminate flooring on your concrete subfloor?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I get it. Laminate flooring is already expensive enough, and no one wants to spend extra money on underlayment if they don\u2019t have to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let me tell you why you need to install underlayment for laminate flooring that will be sitting on concrete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Underlayment is important because it is a moisture\/sound barrier, and cushion support. Concrete subfloors have a higher moisture content and require more soundproofing and cushion support than wood subfloors, so high-quality underlayment is essential for the longevity of laminate flooring over concrete.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we\u2019ve got that out of the way, let me help you choose the best underlayment for your concrete subfloor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Underlayment installed under laminate flooring is important for several reasons. These reasons include being a moisture barrier, sound barrier, and extra cushion support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most important feature of underlayment is its moisture barrier qualities. For environments with high humidity or homes with concrete subfloors, having a good underlayment pad is essential.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The last thing you want to happen to your brand new laminate floors (that should last 25+ years) is for them to warp and break down after a few years from the moisture damage creeping up from underneath them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Underlayment that has been taped together creates a barrier that blocks that moisture from touching your gorgeous laminate flooring. That alone will help them last for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The next important feature of underlayment is its sound barrier qualities. The thicker the underlayment pad, the quieter it is when you walk on it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That is a benefit that you\u2019ll want in your new home because it will minimize the sound of your steps throughout your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then you\u2019ll have no worries about waking someone up or just driving yourself crazy from the loud noise you\u2019re making as you walk around throughout your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sound barrier aspect is most important for laminate flooring on concrete subfloors because the concrete will enhance the echo created from the laminate flooring. Wood subfloors help to deaden some of that sound, but not as much as adding an underlayment pad will.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The last important feature of underlayment is the extra cushion support. This feature is also extremely important for laminate flooring installed on concrete subfloors because concrete is hard on your joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve ever stood on concrete for long periods, then you\u2019ll know what I\u2019m talking about. You won\u2019t want to walk on your new laminate floors for years and damage your feet, knees, and ankles over time because there isn\u2019t enough cushion support underneath.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wood subfloors are a little softer on your joints, but again, the more cushion support underneath, the better it is on your joints (and the longer the pad will last).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Underlayment also helps to keep heat in, which is important for concrete floors that are hard to keep warm. The padding will create some insulation and help keep some of that heat in your home (or the air conditioning in the summer).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we\u2019ve talked about all of the aspects of underlayment that are important to concrete subfloors, let\u2019s talk about how to choose a quality underlayment pad.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a vast amount of underlayment options out there. So let\u2019s break it down into a good, better, best rating to help you determine which quality of underlayment is best for your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first type of underlayment you can choose is what I would consider \u201cgood\u201d quality. Traffic Master\u2019s 2-in-1 Standard Underlayment from Home Depot falls under this category<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\nQuick Navigation: Underlayment For Laminate Flooring On Concrete<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Reasons Why You Need Underlayment For Laminate Flooring On Concrete<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Moisture Barrier<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sound Barrier<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cushion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Choose The Best Underlayment For Laminate Flooring On Concrete<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Type<\/th> Price $<\/th> Moisture Protection<\/th> Sound Barrier<\/th> Extra Cushion<\/th> Best Application<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Traffic Master Standard Underlayment (\u201cGood\u201d)<\/strong> – Home Depot<\/td> Lowest<\/strong> – $0.30 \/ sq ft<\/td> Yes<\/strong><\/td> Least sound reduction<\/strong> – *IIC 61, STC 54<\/td> Thinner<\/strong> – 2 mm thick<\/td> Laminate flooring on wood subfloor<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Traffic Master Advanced Underlayment (\u201cBetter\u201d)<\/strong> – Home Depot<\/td> Medium<\/strong> – $0.40 \/ sq ft<\/td> Yes<\/strong><\/td> Medium sound reduction<\/strong> – *IIC 66, STC 60<\/td> Thinner<\/strong> – 2 mm thick<\/td> Laminate flooring on wood subfloor<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> QuietWalk Underlayment (\u201cBest\u201d)<\/strong> – Home Depot<\/td> Highest<\/strong> – $0.50 \/ sq ft<\/td> Yes<\/strong> (Plus Moisture\/Mildew Resistant)<\/td> Most sound reduction<\/strong> – *IIC 71, STC 66<\/td> Thicker<\/strong> – 3 mm thick<\/td> Laminate flooring on concrete or wood subfloor<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> “Good” Quality Underlayment – Pros and Cons<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n