There is such a thing as too much cushioning. A thick underlayment with low density will compress when weight is put on the flooring system, causing the flooring planks to bend and ultimately damage the locking mechanism.
It should be at least 3mm thick to provide comfort and ground levelling properties. But, it should be no more than 5mm thick. If it's any thicker, you could experience problems with the laminate's locking system.
If you install any additional underlayment, the base for your flooring will end up being too soft and could jeopardize the integrity of the locking system.
The choice of underlay often depends on the type of floor being laid. Laminate parquet or laminate flooring are thicker floors (from 6 mm to 15 mm) with a wide choice of underlays: from 1.5 mm to 7 mm thick.
This thicker layer provides a good insulation barrier, helping bare feet feel more comfortable in the winter, and an excellent sound buffer, which is ideal for upper floors and apartments and condos. With a built-in vapor barrier, this underlayment is suitable for moisture-prone areas.
There is such a thing as too much cushioning. A thick underlayment with low density will compress when weight is put on the flooring system, causing the flooring planks to bend and ultimately damage the locking mechanism.
Underlay for laminate flooring is usually 3 mm thick. This may seem thin, but using thick underlay will create too much bounce when people walk on it and cause the floor to move underfoot.
Laminate flooring is very thin, so any unevenness on the subfloor will eventually begin to show as the floor settles into position – you can find out more about this in our 'What is laminate flooring' guide. The spongy effect can be caused by a dip in the subfloor causing an air gap underneath the laminate flooring.
You cannot walk on laminate flooring immediately after it's installed. The planks need time to settle and adhere to the subfloor before any weight is put on them. This takes about 24 hours. Once the flooring is dry and set, you can enjoy your new beautiful laminate floor.
Most manufacturers recommend that the floor be flat to within 3/16” in a 10 ft. radius. These measurements are consistent with most other types of floor coverings. On floating floors, vertical movement needs to be kept to a minimum.
Generally, a higher quality of flooring will need only 5% extra overage, while a more affordable option might be better with 15%. Because laminate is engineered, it usually has a consistent coloring, pattern, grain, and is free of inclusions. Only a 5% overage is usually recommended.
The answer would be no due to underlayments are specifically designed to work with only one layer. Adding a double layer can actually cause issues with your chosen flooring as the click and lock mechanism can give us due to too much cushion provided by the layers.
Be sure not to overlap the pieces of the underlayment when you add consecutive rows. All you have to do is butt rows together and secure them with a sticky tape.
When laying laminate flooring it is essential that you leave at least a 10-12mm expansion gap around the perimeter of the floor. There are important reasons to do so, and we will cover them in this article. However, you won't need to worry about any spaces around the perimeter of your installation.
Thicker laminate floors are easier to lay, quieter to walk on and are better to hide small irregularities in the subfloor. We find that most people prefer to lay a 12mm thick laminate in high-traffic areas.
A maximum of 12mm is recommended as working with gripper rod becomes difficult if any thicker, but rooms with heavy traffic will need a thinner denser underlay. The combination of thickness and density is all important as a thick underlay with a low density may not perform well.
Before you use your new floor or move into the room, make sure the floor is completely cured. Do not walk on the floor for 24 hours after installation. If you do, it will damage the installation, resulting in an uneven floor.
Even a more noticeable bounce can be normal, as bouncy laminate flooring may take weeks or months to feel fully settled and sturdy.
If you have started to notice bubbles and swelling in your laminate, don't worry you don't have to replace the whole floor in most cases. This can be caused by water spills, high moisture, too much tension between each plank, lack of expansive joints, and lack of a strong moisture barrier.
The feeling of bounce is caused by the flooring moving downward when weight is applied (stepped on). The flooring moves or bounces as it is not properly supported from underneath which puts added pressure on the flooring joints, in most cases causing them to separate, break or squeak.
If you installed laminate flooring in a moisture prone area, such as kitchens, mudrooms, or bathrooms, you should consider adding water-resistant glue to the locking system as you're installing the floor. This will help keep water from seeping into the vulnerable spaces of your floor, causing it to buckle.
Underlay thickness affects the feel of the carpet. A thick underlay, between 11 and 12mm, will give your carpet a cushioned, soft feel. However, a thinner underlay on the stairs may be easier to install. 9mm is ideal.
This is because the underlay will simply follow the shape of the subfloor which is not flat. Furthermore, laying more than one underlay will reduce the stability of the subfloor and cause more issues than they fix. Ultimately, levelling a subfloor with underlay will do nothing but cost you an extra few dollars.
If you have an uneven sub surface, a underlay floor can potentially help level it out, but we don't recommend this at all. An uneven surface under a floor can cause boards to sink and shift, potentially cracking or splitting them.