What Goes Under Laminate Flooring

Flooring is made up of several parts including the joists subfloor underlayment and finish flooring material.

What goes under laminate flooring. The most basic underlayment is a plastic sheet that acts as a moisture barrier. Laminate underlayment is a soft pad that is installed under laminate flooring. Underlayment is a thin material that covers the subfloor and the finish floor material is layered on top of it.

Understanding what goes under your laminate flooring can help improve the life of your flooring. The joists are part of the home s structure and the subfloor usually plywood sits on top of them. Underlayment helps moisture protection sound absorption and compression support.

Before you install your plywood subfloor first calculate the room s square footage to find out how much flooring you ll need to buy. Of course this really never gets talked about because the flooring is what you look at feel and admire. What is laminate flooring underlayment.

The look of wood for less. Find flooring underlayment at lowe s today. Laminate flooring gives you the look of hardwood tile or stone floors in addition to exceptional durability easy installation and low maintenance.

Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width. Dealing with warped or mildew laden wood costs more than adding that extra layer of protection. In humid climates pair a plastic sheet with all other types of underlayments even those that already offer some moisture resistance.

So you get more for your money. The key to a beautiful long lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well prepared subfloor. Underlayment or padding as it s often called is the spongy closed cell plastic foam sheet that comes in rolls.