An underlayment is a thin sheet of material that sits between your floor and subfloor. There are many benefits to using an underlay beneath your engineered wood flooring, including extra moisture resistance and more durable flooring. Do you need an underlay for engineered wood flooring? While it’s not always necessary, it can greatly improve your flooring and bring extra comfort to a room. Learn more about using an underlay with engineered wood flooring with this guide.
Reasons To Use an Underlay
Underlays are helpful for any type of engineered wood flooring. While you can install engineered wood floors without an underlayment, the extra support and insulation add a lot to a room. To get the most out of your underlayment, you’ll have to look into which materials work best with the type of wood floor you have. No matter what you choose, however, you’ll benefit from the following reasons to use an underlayment beneath your floors.
Eliminate Subfloor Imperfections
If you want your engineered wood floor to last a long time, you need an even subfloor. Underlays smooth out the subfloor and cancel out minor dips and flaws that might otherwise affect your new floors. The even surface an underlay provides creates more stability for your engineered wood floors.
Make a Room More Comfortable
Underlays add an extra layer to your flooring. This makes them softer and more comfortable beneath your feet. Underlays also act as extra insulation, improving the warmth and energy efficiency of a room. The added insulation also helps muffle sounds. This is particularly useful when you want engineered wood flooring in a second-story room. The underlayment will reduce the sound of footsteps, creaking, and other noises.
Improve Moisture Resistance
Moisture is a big deal for wooden floors. While engineered hardwood is more moisture-resistant than solid hardwood, it can still take damage from spills, standing water, or excess humidity. An underlay—especially one with a built-in vapor barrier—adds extra protection against water damage and other moisture issues.
Underlays and Different Installation Methods
There are several ways to install new engineered wood floors. The installment method you choose influences how much you need an underlay. For example, when you use the floating method to install your new flooring, your wood planks won’t actually be attached to the subfloor. As your wood floors expand and contract during humidity changes, they’ll need additional support to prevent major buckling or separation. An underlay grants extra support and stability to floating floors as they fluctuate with the seasons.
Do you need an underlay for engineered wood flooring? The choice is up to you. No matter what you decide, you can get the supplies you need at From the Forest. Our natural engineered wood flooring creates the beauty, stability, and comfort you need to make your home shine.