Laminate flooring is the most popular flooring material because it is not only highly stable but also offers easy maintenance. The installation of laminate flooring is much easier than other flooring types because it doesn’t require any adhesive material or grout. However, you can fix any durable and multi-functional underlayment under the flooring for longevity and a comfortable walking experience. In this article, Dubai Vinyl Flooring has mentioned the list of the best underlay for laminate flooring on concrete. We have also highlighted multiple essential factors that should be considered by users before choosing any underlayment.
Best Underlay For Laminate Flooring On Concrete
Underlayment is an additional protective and flexible layer fixed between the flooring material and the subfloor surface for multiple purposes. Fixing this protective coating offers multiple benefits, such as sound insulation, moisture resistance, high durability, underfoot comfort, and stability. However, when we install the laminate planks on a concrete subfloor, we should mainly consider moisture or water resistance.
Why does the installation of laminate flooring on concrete require underlayments?
The concrete subfloor is a porous surface, which allows water or moisture particles to seep down the flooring surface. The concrete subfloor has an uneven surface containing bumps that require any flexible underlayment material to make the surface smooth and user-friendly. Moreover, the laminate flooring installation on concrete surfaces makes it hard to walk on them. To avoid all these issues, choose the best underlayment option that ensures high moisture resistance, walking softness, and even flooring surface.
Before choosing any specific material, you should have proper knowledge about the type of material, its outcomes, and its way of installation. Choosing ineffective material for underlayment or improper installation can also lead to quick wear and tear on your flooring.
Underlayment Material Options
Cork Underlayment
If you’re looking for an underlayment material that ensures the best acoustic features, go for cork material. Fixing this material can also reduce the bumps on uneven concrete surfaces. The drawback of this material is that it doesn’t offer a cushioning effect under a laminate wood floor surface. Furthermore, this material also provides excellent anti-microbial characteristics to ensure a hygienic floor surface.
Combination Foam Underlayment
This underlayment material is crafted with two basic layers: a vapor barrier layer and standard foam. This unique underlayment allows excellent moisture resistance between the concrete subfloor and laminate tiles. This slightly expensive material can also be used in highly damp places to enhance floor moisture resistance.
Recycled Rubber
Like combination foam underlayment, recycled rubber also provides greater acoustic results and mold resistance. However, the installation of recycled rubber underlayment can’t ensure moisture or water resistance. But you can also add a protective layer to this environment-friendly material to enhance moisture resistance.
XPS Foam
XPS (extruded polystyrene) is the best underlay for laminate flooring. The installation of this material provides an extra cushioning effect, underfoot comfort, and impact resistance. In addition, XPS foam also offers easy folding and installation under a laminate surface.
Recycled Fibers
Recycled fibers are another great option for placing as underlayment materials to ensure a high level of flexibility and cushioning effect. The recycled fibers are crafted with multiple compressed layers of fibers to enhance flexibility and attain the desired R-value. Moreover, this material under laminate also protects this flooring from instability and bumps.
Polyethylene Foam
Polyethylene foam is another underlayment material to use for leveling these tiles on the concrete subfloor. This underlayment type doesn’t provide as much acoustic and moisture resistance as compared to other materials. However, this underlayment option is available at cost-effective rates in the UAE market.
Factors To Consider
Before choosing any underlayment material for the installation of laminate material flooring on a concrete subfloor, you should consider some necessary aspects. For your better understanding of underlayments, Dubai Vinyl Flooring has elaborated on all these factors one by one.
Moisture Resistance
The concrete subfloor is highly covered with a porous surface that allows moisture content to pass through the subfloor surface. The accumulation of water content below the flooring material leads to the unbalancing of the floor surface. For damp places, you must place the moisture-resistant underlayment under the laminate that can resist the accumulation of water.
Noise Insulation
The second most important factor to consider is noise insulation because laminate tiles or planks produce unnecessary noise while walking on them. In addition, placing laminate on the concrete subfloor also enhances sound density. To keep your environment calm and sound-free, always choose an underlayment that can block the walking foot sound.
Cost Value
Before choosing any type of underlayment, you should also consider the cost value because the durability of underlayment material also depends on the cost factor. If you’re exploring the underlayment option that provides all possible desirable features, you need to pay a high budget as compared to the normal underlayment option.
Underlayment Thickness
Another important parameter to consider when opting for an underlayment is its thickness and density. Choose the material that offers great thickness and density because both of these factors ensure high durability and longevity. The standard underlayment thickness varies from 2–3 mm, but you can also utilize the underlayment with 5–6 mm for more effective walking and durability results.
Final Words!
To sum up this article, we can say that choosing the best underlayment for laminate flooring on concrete requires precise knowledge about desired underlayment characteristics. Dubai Vinyl Flooring has mentioned excellent options for laying underlayments below the laminate planks. Along with multiple great options, we also give useful insights into considerations that must be taken before choosing any underlayment.
