If you are looking for a new flooring option for your home, you might be considering laminate or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring. These are both popular choices because they are durable, water-resistant, easy to install and maintain, and come in a variety of styles and colours. But before you buy your new flooring, there is one more thing you need to think about: underlay.
Underlay is a layer of material that goes between your subfloor and your laminate or LVT flooring. It serves several purposes, such as improving comfort, stability, noise reduction, and moisture protection. In this blog post, we will introduce you to our favourite 5 underlays for laminate and LVT flooring, and explain why they are the best for different situations.
What is underlay and why do you need it?
Underlay is a thin layer of foam or fibreboard that is placed under your laminate or LVT flooring. It acts as a cushion between the hard subfloor and your flooring, making it softer and more comfortable to walk on. It also helps to level out any minor irregularities in the subfloor, creating a smoother surface for your flooring.
Underlay also has other benefits, such as:
- Stability: Underlay helps to prevent your laminate or LVT flooring from shifting or moving over time, especially in high-traffic areas. It also supports the click-and-lock system of your flooring, which means you do not need any glue or nails to hold it in place.
- Noise reduction: Underlay reduces the impact noise of footsteps or furniture moving on your floor, which can be annoying for you and your neighbours. It also reduces the sound of your flooring expanding and contracting due to temperature changes.
- Moisture protection: Underlay protects your laminate or LVT flooring from moisture damage, which can cause your flooring to warp, swell, or peel off over time. Most underlays have a damp-proof membrane or a vapour barrier that prevents moisture from rising up from the subfloor and reaching your flooring. This is essential if you have a concrete subfloor or if you are installing your flooring in a humid area such as a bathroom or a kitchen.
Our favourite 5 underlays for laminate and LVT flooring
At Flooringdiscount.co.uk, we have a wide range of underlays for laminate and LVT flooring. However, we have selected our favourite 5 underlays that we think are the best for different scenarios. Here they are:
1. Quick Step Livyn Transitstop Underlay
This underlay is specially designed for Quick Step Livyn rigid click (+) floors, which are LVT floors that have a rigid core and an extra layer of cushioning. This underlay is only 2mm thick and has perforated holes for advanced thermal rise, which makes it ideal for underfloor heating. It also offers excellent noise reduction and moisture protection.
This underlay is perfect for:
- Quick Step Livyn rigid click (+) floors
- Underfloor heating
- High traffic areas
- Concrete subfloors
Buy Quick Step Livyn Transitstop Underlay QSVUDLTRS15 here
2. Quick Step Livyn Heat LVT Underlay
This underlay is specially designed for Quick Step Livyn flexible click floors, which are LVT floors that have a flexible core and can be installed over slightly uneven subfloors. This underlay is only 1mm thick and has a low thermal resistance, which makes it ideal for underfloor heating. It also offers good noise reduction and moisture protection.
This underlay is perfect for:
- Quick Step Livyn flexible click floors
- Underfloor heating
- Slightly uneven subfloors
- Concrete subfloors
Buy Quick Step Livyn Heat LVT Underlay QSVUDLSH10 here
3. Quick Step Livyn Comfort Underlay
This underlay is specially designed for Quick Step Livyn flexible click floors, which are LVT floors that have a flexible core and can be installed over slightly uneven subfloors. This underlay is 1.2mm thick and made from recycled polyester, which makes it eco-friendly and comfortable. It also offers excellent noise reduction and moisture protection.
This underlay is perfect for:
- Quick Step Livyn flexible click floors
- Eco-friendly projects
- Comfortable walking
- Concrete subfloors
Buy Quick Step Livyn Comfort Underlay QSVUDLCOMFORT15 here
4. Quick Step Basic Plus Underlay
This underlay is suitable for laminate or engineered wood flooring, which are flooring options that have a wood-based core and a protective layer. This underlay is 2mm thick and made from polyethylene foam, which makes it lightweight and easy to install. It also offers basic comfort and noise reduction.
This underlay is perfect for:
- Laminate or engineered wood flooring
- Low-budget projects
- Easy installation
- Wood or concrete subfloors
Buy Quick Step Basic Plus Underlay 15m2 here
5. Quick Step Silent Walk Underlay
This underlay is suitable for laminate or engineered wood flooring, which are flooring options that have a wood-based core and a protective layer. This underlay is 5mm thick and made from high-density fibreboard, which makes it durable and stable. It also offers superior noise reduction and moisture protection.
This underlay is perfect for:
- Laminate or engineered wood flooring
- Upper floors or apartments
- High noise reduction
- Wood or concrete subfloors
Buy Quick Step Silent Walk Underlay 7m2 here
How to choose the right underlay for your flooring project?
To choose the right underlay for your laminate or LVT flooring project, you need to consider the following factors:
- The type and thickness of your flooring: You need to choose an underlay that matches the type and thickness of your flooring, as well as the click system that it uses. For example, if you have a rigid LVT floor, you need a thin and dense underlay that supports the click mechanism and prevents it from breaking. If you have a laminate or engineered wood floor, you need an underlay that is thick enough to provide comfort and noise reduction, but not too thick that it compromises the stability of your flooring.
- The condition of your subfloor: You need to choose an underlay that is suitable for your subfloor type, whether it is wood or concrete. You also need to check the humidity level of your subfloor and ensure it falls below 75%, as any dampness can cause your flooring to lift and curl. If you have a concrete subfloor or a humid area, you need an underlay that has a damp-proof membrane or a vapour barrier to protect your flooring from moisture damage.
- The use of underfloor heating: You need to choose an underlay that has good thermal conductivity if you have underfloor heating. This means that the underlay allows heat to pass through easily and does not create a barrier between your heating system and your flooring. You also need to check the compatibility of your flooring with underfloor heating, as some flooring options may not be suitable for high temperatures.
- The level of noise reduction: You need to choose an underlay that has good acoustic properties if you want to reduce the impact noise of your flooring. This means that the underlay absorbs sound and reduces noise transmission to the room below or adjacent rooms. This is especially important if you live in an apartment or have neighbours below you, as it can minimise the disturbance caused by footsteps or furniture moving on your floor.
Summary
Underlay is an essential part of your laminate or LVT flooring project, as it can improve the comfort, stability, noise reduction, and moisture protection of your flooring. At Flooringdiscount.co.uk, we have a wide range of underlays for different situations beyond the 5 we have spoken about today.
