Underlayment, or “padding” as it's often called, is the spongy, closed-cell plastic foam sheet that comes in rolls. It is rolled out between the actual laminate flooring planks and the subfloor.
Cork and foam are some of the best choices for underlay for laminate flooring.
There are a number of different underlays suitable for use with laminate flooring. If you're laying onto a wooden sub-floor then fibreboard underlay is very popular as it provides excellent heat insulation.
Laminate flooring is designed to be a floating floor that may be installed over virtually any type of sub floor. And by “floating”, we mean that it doesn't need to be nailed or glued to the sub floor.
If you're looking for an affordable underlay to fit under a wood or laminate floor, foam underlay is the way to go. It's comfortable to walk on, provides cushioning underfoot, absorbs sound and does a great job of keeping your room warm.
Without underlayment to add a layer between these damp subfloors and the surface flooring, your laminate can quickly become wet, warped, and mildewy, harming its overall integrity. Moisture over time can also break down floor adhesive which causes the floor to start warping.
Carpet underlay is usually much thicker than laminate underlay. It's usually around 10mm thick, whereas laminate underlay is usually around 3mm thick. If you install laminate on top of a carpet underlay, the floor will be too bouncy and spongy, which can damage the locking system and provide an uncomfortable feel.
You have the top layer that is your floor covering (Hardwood, Laminate, Vinyl, Carpet, etc.), next you have the underlayment (usually a thin layer of fiber, foam, rubber), below that you have your subfloor (plywood, OSB, concrete), and lastly you have the joists which are the foundation to your floors.
When laminate flooring is continuously exposed to moisture rising from below, it swells and suffers irreparable damage. A vapour barrier is an effective way to protect your floor.
wait for the floor to cure
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.
Popular laminate flooring colors in 2025 are warm, earthy, or neutral colors. Natural wood, white oak, golden brown, and greige are some of the most trending. Dark wood flooring is also popular in homes reclaiming a bold aesthetic, with homeowners pairing the floor with block wall colors and vibrant furnishings.
Laying laminate flooring horizontally will can make a small room appear larger. Most people prefer to lay their boards parallel with the room's longest wall. If you're laying your flooring over a wooden subfloor, install them at a 90 degree angle to the existing wooden board. This provides extra stability.
uneven floors, use a foam underlayment as the base for your laminate planks. If you determine you need to level the floor, sand the floor and apply a patching compound. If you are installing the flooring below grade or in a room with high humidity or moisture, install a vapor barrier first.
Yes, even with attached padding, an additional underlayment can enhance moisture protection and sound insulation. While the attached padding provides minimal benefits, using a separate underlayment will improve the overall performance and longevity of your laminate flooring.
Underlayment is not optional. If your laminate planks don't have it already attached, we recommend that you buy rolls of underlayment on which to install your laminate floor.
Protect your floors from moisture with a polyethylene or silicone underlayment. If you're looking to reduce sound, use an acoustical or cork underlayment. Use the list above to find an underlayment that achieves a combination of benefits.
Both are designed to keep moisture out of your home and can be made from various materials. But there are a few key differences, the most apparent being that moisture barriers are better at keeping out liquids, and vapor barriers are better at keeping out water in its gaseous state.
Plywood: Yes.
Plywood is most-often used as a subfloor in construction. As with all subfloors, it must meet laminate installation specifications.
No matter which underlayment you choose, if you are installing on a moisture prone subfloor or concrete subfloor, you really need a moisture barrier underlayment.
A first option to counter the coolness of laminate flooring is the installation of a quality underlay. It's important to note that we are not talking about paint or a liquid coating, but rather a solid membrane often sold in rolls that is deployed under the laminate floor.
For uneven subfloors, thicker laminate (10mm or 12mm) can bridge small gaps and imperfections, offering a more even and stable flooring. For perfectly level subfloors, thinner options can be suitable.
Once your floor is clean and dry, lay the laminate underlay along the lengths of the room – taking care to leave a gap of at least 10mm around any pipes. On concrete floors, lay the underlay with the vapour barrier side down. On wooden floors, lay the rubber side down first to prevent any unwanted movement.