Living room with hard surface flooring and underlayment underneath

Underlayment & Padding

Find the perfect underlayment flooring solution for your project. We offer foam underlayment, moisture barrier underlayment, felt underlayment, and radiant heat underlayment. Each underlayment designed to enhance comfort, insulation, and durability. Improve sound control, moisture resistance, and overall performance with premium underlayment flooring options built to support vinyl, laminate, hardwood, and more.

Flooring underlayment is a crucial layer placed between the subfloor and the finished flooring to improve the floor's performance and comfort. It provides benefits such as sound insulation, moisture protection, and enhanced durability. The right underlayment choice depends on the type of flooring and specific needs of the space.

Foam Underlayment

Commonly used for laminate, engineered wood, or vinyl flooring.

Provides sound insulation, cushioning, and moisture protection.
Lightweight and easy to install.
Cost-effective.
Not ideal for high-moisture areas unless specifically designed with a moisture barrier.

Felt Underlayment

Commonly used for carpet, hardwood, and laminate flooring.

Provides cushioning, sound insulation, and enhances comfort underfoot.
Reduces floor wear and offers some thermal insulation.
Less effective in moisture control compared to other types.
Best used in dry areas or in combination with a moisture barrier.

Radiant Heat Underlayment

Ideal for flooring installations requiring radiant heating, such as in bathrooms or living areas.

Works with radiant heat systems to improve efficiency.
Provides a comfortable, warm surface.

Moisture Barrier Underlayment

Essential for areas with high moisture levels, such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.

Protects flooring from water damage by preventing moisture from reaching the subfloor.
Crucial for areas prone to humidity or water exposure.
Important to ensure compatibility with the type of flooring being installed.

Choosing the Right Underlayment

Selecting the appropriate underlayment is vital to the performance of your flooring.

Helps with sound insulation, moisture protection, cushioning, and creating a smooth surface for the finished floor.
Some underlayments also provide thermal insulation, making floors more comfortable in colder months.
Certain underlayments are designed to work with radiant heat systems for added comfort.

Key Considerations

When selecting underlayment, consider the following:

The type of flooring being installed.
The moisture levels in the space.
Whether sound insulation or thermal comfort is a priority.

The right underlayment ensures a long-lasting, comfortable, and well-installed floor.

Underlayment & Padding FAQ's

What is underlayment in flooring and why do I need it?

Underlayment is a thin layer installed between your subfloor and flooring. It improves comfort, reduces noise, provides insulation, and helps protect against moisture, making it essential for most laminate, vinyl, and hardwood floor installations.

What type of underlayment should I use for vinyl plank flooring?

Use a moisture barrier underlayment or a foam underlayment with built-in vapor protection. Look for underlayment labeled as suitable for vinyl flooring to ensure stability and long-term performance.

Is underlayment required for laminate flooring?

Yes, laminate flooring typically requires underlayment to provide cushioning, reduce noise, and create a moisture barrier. Many laminate floors at Lumber Liquidators are compatible with foam or felt underlayment options.

What’s the best underlayment for hardwood floors?

Felt underlayment is ideal for hardwood flooring. It offers superior sound absorption, durability, and support while helping smooth out minor subfloor imperfections.

Do I need a moisture barrier underlayment?

Yes, especially if installing flooring over concrete or in moisture-prone areas like basements, kitchens, or bathrooms. Moisture barrier underlayment help prevent warping, mold, and mildew.

Can I use underlayment with radiant heat systems?

Yes. Look for radiant heat underlayment designed to be safely used with in-floor heating. It enhances heat transfer while protecting the floor from thermal expansion.

What thickness underlayment do I need?

Most underlayment range from 2mm to 6mm. Thinner options are ideal for vinyl and engineered floors, while thicker felt or foam underlayment provide more comfort and sound insulation for laminate or hardwood.

Can underlayment reduce noise between floors?

Yes. Felt and premium foam underlayment offer excellent sound reduction, especially in multi-story homes, apartments, or rooms above basements.

Does underlayment help with uneven subfloors?

Underlayment can help correct slight imperfections in the subfloor, but it’s not a substitute for leveling. Choose a thicker underlayment if minor leveling is needed.

Where can I buy quality underlayment flooring?

Lumber Liquidators offers a wide range of underlayment flooring, including foam, felt, moisture barrier, and radiant heat options, available in multiple sizes and thicknesses to fit any flooring type or room.