The Best Flooring Underlayment For Different Flooring Materials Part 2

When it comes to flooring installation, DIYers and professionals alike need to make sure that they are utilizing the best products and practices for the best outcomes. Failing to invest in quality materials such as a floor underlayment, for example, can result in dramatically improved results over the lifespan of your new floors. If you’re in need of laminate, engineered, or wood floor underlayments, Eco Cork Foam (ECF) is here to serve as your best choice. It provides superior results that keep your floors protected and comfortable for the long haul. We have perfected our polyethylene cross linked foam hardwood flooring underlayment over the last few years. With a built-in vapor barrier and the top lab results in the industry, ECF is proud to serve as your cork flooring underlayment for a wide variety of applications!

It is very important to utilize the right flooring underlayment for your new materials. Failing to install the proper support can result in costly setbacks later on. Today, we’ll continue our blog series by discussing underlayments for hardwood floors and engineered hardwood products. If you’re in need of a quality product to provide comprehensive protection for your new floors, be sure to pick up a roll of Eco Cork Foam today!

Vinyl Flooring Underlayments

Vinyl planks have come a long way in the past few years, delivering quality appearances that closely resemble real wood products. Vinyl flooring relies on interlocking tongues and grooves to create a cohesive system, requiring serious stability for the best results. Because of its easy installation features, vinyl is often installed on plywood or oscillated strand boards (OSB) without a flooring underlayment. The condition of your subfloor may ultimately determine the quality of your vinyl floor installation, as the surfaces need to be:

  • Clean. Dirt and debris and affect the cohesion and stability of your new floors. Ensure that your subfloor is free of any dust or gunk before laying any planks.
  • Smooth. Having a level, plane surface is essential for vinyl flooring. Failing to create a smooth surface for installation can seriously hamper the longevity of your floors.
  • Damage-free. Imperfections such as dings and scratches can still be apparent after your installation is complete. It’s vital to repair any gouges or marks before starting the project.
  • In quality condition. If your subfloor isn’t in good shape, you may end up spending way more than you originally intended. Be sure to invest your time and effort into preparing your plywood!

Hardwood Flooring Underlayments

As beautiful and as durable as hardwood flooring is, it is not perfect. For one, natural hardwood is not known for warmth and comfort, especially when installed in cold, damp basements. Footfalls and dropped objects are also a concern, as hardwood does little to insulate sound transmission. Rigidity is a positive aspect of flooring applications, but only when the subfloor is perfect. Wood floor underlayments help to smooth out minor imperfections, creating more stability when compared to installing planks on an untreated subfloor. The type of hardwood floor underlayment you should choose depends on several different factors, with each material providing its own unique blend of benefits and drawbacks. When looking for the best underlayment for hardwood floors, you can benefit from:

  • Foam flooring underlayments. As always, this versatile material provides a wide range of acoustic benefits, mold resistance, and comfort. Hardwood should be protected from moisture at all costs, and combination foam underlayments such as our ECF blend help to keep vapor concerns away.
  • Rubber flooring underlayments. Homeowners looking for an easy installation process and top-notch moisture resistance can benefit from a rubber underlayment. This material offers adequate noise reduction and does not need to be glued down during installation. These conveniences do come at a cost, though, as rubber often has a higher price tag over other underlayments for hardwood.
  • Felt flooring underlayments. Once again, felt is here to provide insulation and support for flooring applications. This dense material helps to resist moisture while providing quality insulation from sound transference. As always, felt comes with a high price tag, costing consumers upwards of $1.25 per square foot.
  • Cork flooring underlayments. This versatile product provides insulation from cold and sound, supporting your hardwood floors with quality. Premium versions of cork underlayments include a fusion of other materials, such as ECF and its use of virgin polyethylene foam and granulated cork. Unlike other products, though, our hardwood flooring underlayment does not come with the premium price tag!

Engineered Hardwood Underlayments

This material combines the visual beauty of hardwood with the cost-efficiency of plywood, creating a stable core that is better able to resist expanding and contracting through seasonal changes. One concern that comes with engineered flooring systems is their weakness to moisture. Additionally, stability is completely necessary, meaning that many flooring underlayments have too much cushion to provide the proper support. Eco Cork Foam, on the other hand, is ⅛ of an inch thick, creating stronger joints. Our vapor barrier is fused as well, providing superior vapor protection for your engineered flooring. Engineered hardwood is an amazing product, but only when you invest in the perfect wood floor underlayment.

Flooring products come in a wide range of materials and styles, creating the need for a wide range of benefits from your hardwood flooring underlayment. DIYers and contractors can both benefit from investing in a quality floor underlayment such as Eco Cork Foam. Our product provides unsurpassed support and protect at every level, delivering premium results at an economical price. Be sure to buy a roll for yourself or contact us today with your questions!