Do I Need Underlayment for Laminate Flooring?

When it comes to installing laminate flooring, there are a few factors to consider. Subfloor conditions, humidity levels, and the type of laminate flooring you choose can all influence whether or not you need to use a laminate underlayment. Humidity is especially important when it comes to deciding whether or not to use an underlayment. Areas that tend to be wetter and more prone to humidity can cause moisture to enter the subfloors, which can quickly damage the laminate flooring and cause it to deform and form mold.

Without an underlayment layer between the moist subfloors and the floor surface, the laminate can be easily damaged over time. Laminate flooring manufacturers often recommend an underlayment, as it helps protect the floor from potential damage. The underlayment is usually a thin, padded layer of material that is placed under the laminate floor. It is usually around 3 mm thick, while a carpet base is usually around 10 mm thick.

If your laminate sheets don't have them attached yet, we recommend that you buy underlayment rolls to install your laminate floor. Not only will this help protect your new floor from potential damage, but it will also improve the look, feel and overall performance of your new floors. The use of a base layer adds additional costs to the installation of laminate floors, but in the long term, it adds more lifespan to laminate floors and improves their performance. It also helps create an effective moisture barrier, preventing moisture from reaching your new laminate floor and reducing the risk of unnecessary water damage. If you buy laminate flooring with attached underlayment, you won't need to add a subfloor.

However, if your laminate floor does not have a base, it is necessary to lay a laminate base for your project. Although there are laminated planks attached with a pad, you may think you are getting a better deal, but the cost of the attached underlayment is included in the price and quality of the floor. Reusing the base layer may be attractive, but using a carpet base with laminate flooring will cause long-term problems.