What is the best material to use for underlayment?

Author: Bennett Stanton  |  Last update: Saturday, March 1, 2025

These four include:
  • Foam. Foam underlayment is very budget-friendly. The thicker the foam, the better the results. ...
  • Felt. Felt underlayment protects your floor from water damage. ...
  • Cork. Cork is naturally resistant to moisture. ...
  • Rubber. Rubber is a strong material that many prefer for underlayment.

Which underlayment is best?

Rubber is one of the best choices for underlayment because it is super versatile. It protects your floor from mold and mildew and protects your ears from hollow sounding floors. In fact, it is one of the most sound absorbing and insulating underlayments out there.

Is plywood or OSB better for underlayment?

Both plywood and OSB are effective choices for your subfloor needs, but OSB may be a better option for a garage than plywood. Plywood is a better option for projects that require a lot of cutting and molding, while OSB is a good option for those who need to cover areas where moisture exposure may be an issue.

What is the best thickness for underlayment?

Generally, there are five thicknesses in the following thickness categories: 1/4, 11/32, 15/32, 19/32 and 23/32. The thinner panels are often used for an underlayment under resilient flooring products in conjunction with a thicker subfloor, while thicker panels are used for hardwood and tile flooring.

What is the strongest subfloor material?

Plywood is the most common subfloor and is a popular choice because of its strength, durability,and ease of installation. Plywood subfloors are made of layers of wood veneer that are then glued together. Plywood can be used with a variety of flooring materials.

Why You Need Underlayment For Your Floors

What do contractors use for subfloor?

Plywood is considered the most popular material used for subflooring, it has been used since the 1950s and remains one of the top choices for contractors. Standard plywood works perfectly fine as a subflooring material, but the best option is ¾” tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

Is AdvanTech stronger than plywood?

AdvanTech® flooring delivers strength, moisture resistance, quality and consistency plywood just can't match.

What is a good thickness for underlay?

9-10mm carpet underlays are usually good all-rounders that can be installed in all areas of the home, including stairs and hallways. This thickness is popular with homeowners who want to use the same underlay across their entire home/project, saving the hassle of ordering multiple products and minimising wastage.

Should I use 5'8" or 3/4" plywood for subfloor?

For traditional plywood flooring installations, where the plywood is directly attached to the subfloor, the recommended plywood flooring thickness typically ranges from 5/8-inch (15mm) to 3/4-inch (19mm). While 3/4-inch plywood is standard for most residential subfloors, certain conditions may require thicker plywood.

What floor underlayment has the highest R value?

DRICORE Insul-Armor is the most premium subfloor. With an R-value of 4.1, DRICORE Insul-Armor provides one of the highest R-values in the market, meaning maximum warmth and comfort for your family.

Which is stronger, 3/4 plywood or 3/4 OSB?

Strength. OSB and plywood are very similar in terms of strength, but plywood is stiffer than OSB by a factor of approximately 10%.

Is CDX plywood okay for underlayment?

CDX is best for sub-flooring. In such places, it does not get in contact with a lot of moisture, which prevents it from getting damaged.

Why do builders use OSB instead of plywood?

OSB can be manufactured into panels that are larger than plywood. OSB is more uniform, so there are fewer soft spots, such as those that can occur in plywood. OSB is less expensive than plywood. To build a typical 2,400-square foot home, OSB may cost $700 less than plywood.

What is the best underlay to use?

A high-quality PU foam underlay is an excellent choice, as it offers superior cushioning, creating a soft and luxurious feel underfoot. It also provides brilliant insulation, keeping your living room warm and comfortable, especially during colder months.

What wood to use for underlayment?

Underlayment is a special grade of APA plywood that is attached on top of the subfloor to provide a durable and resistant layer under finish flooring. Underlayment's special face and inner-ply construction resist dents and punctures from concentrated loads.

Should I use 15 or 30 underlayment?

If your roof does not have a steep pitch, you can use #15. This weight of felt is a good economic choice if you have a standard roof. But if your roof has a steep pitch, #30 is a better option because it is thicker and tears less during installation. With #30 you get a thicker layer of underlayment and protection.

Should I nail or screw plywood subfloor?

Rather than nails, screws are best to use for subfloors — these fasteners are convenient, easy to remove and capable of providing torque that nails lack. Because of their structure, screws can penetrate plywood more easily and improve the connection, whereas nails can weaken the plywood.

What is the best plywood for underlayment flooring?

CDX. CDX plywood is the most common plywood used for subflooring. It is usually more affordable because it is rougher and has more imperfections than other types of plywood. However, since subflooring is almost always covered and rarely visible, the way it looks should not matter.

Do you leave a gap between plywood subfloor?

Don't beat the sheets together tightly, you must leave 1/8” gap at all sides of the panels to allow for swelling. The sledge makes it easy to “persuade” the sheets together, but don't hit it hard. Be very particular about that 1/8” gap.

Can underlayment be too thick?

Choosing a thick (10mm+) underlay for your stairs is not a good idea as it can pose a trip hazard. Moreover, thicker carpet underlays tend to compress slightly with heavy use, which can lead to irregular wear and unsightly lumps, particularly in frequently trodden areas.

Is higher density underlay better?

Density plays a role in both comfort and durability. Higher-density underlay tends to be more resilient and durable, as it can better withstand the pressure and weight placed on the flooring surface. It offers improved support and helps prevent premature wear and tear of the floor covering.

What is the expansion gap for underlay?

Start in the corner of the room, taking care to leave a 10mm gap between the fibreboard and the wall. Once the first piece has been positioned correctly, move along the row – leaving an expansion gap of approximately 2mm between each sheet – until you reach the other side of the room.

Why is AdvanTech so expensive?

Keep in mind that Advantech and LP's equivalent are engineered to be extremely water resistant and more consistent than other typical OSB type underlayments/subfloors, using things like polyurethane glues to achieve those goals. They cost more as a result.

What is as strong as plywood but cheaper?

OSB, which retains much of its structural advantages, is considered a more economical alternative to plywood.

Is it okay for AdvanTech to get wet?

While AdvanTech subflooring is engineered to withstand extensive water exposure with a 500-day No Sanding Guarantee,¹ you can take extra measures to protect your material if prolonged frozen, wet or dry cycles are anticipated when the wall framing isn't up yet.

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