Floor underlay is material several milimetres thick that goes underneath your floor covering. It is often made from either rubber or foam, depending on the type of floor covering it is intended to sit beneath. It can make the floor more comfortable to walk on, can reduce the sound of footsteps, and might even prevent moisture from getting through.

What does floor underlay do?

The main functions of floor underlay are:

  • Provides a smoother surface: The subfloor mainly provides a structural function, so putting underlay between the subfloor and the floor covering will smooth out the surface.
  • Helps adhesion: Some floor coverings may not stick directly to the subfloor, so having underlay between them may improve the adhesion. Also, the subfloor could expand and contract, so the underlay will reduce the effect this has on the floor covering.
  • Helps the structural stability: The subfloor on its own may not be quite as stable as you’d like, particularly in older homes. Adding underlay can help improve the structural stability.
  • Increases comfort: With a soft layer between the floor covering and the subfloor, your floor will be much nicer to walk on.
  • Reduces sound: Because your feet are not just hitting against a thin, hard surface, the sound will often be dramatically reduced. This is ideal in shared homes where you don’t want to disturb other people if you get home late or get up early.

What types of floor underlay are available?

Floor underlay often comes in foam or rubber, depending on whether it goes under a carpet, laminate flooring, or wooden floor. Here are some example products available:

Timbermate Excel Laminate Floor Underlay

Normally, walking on laminate or wooden flooring can be noisy. However, with this underlay, noise is reduced by as much as 30%, which has been independently verified.

It also prevents the overstraining of the wood or laminate floor. It doesn’t stop there, though, because it contains a special barrier which helps stop moisture from getting through.

It is 3.6 mm thick and comes in two sizes:

  • 11m x 1.37m
  • 14.6m x 0.685m

10mm Thick Foam Luxury Carpet Underlay

This 10mm thick foam underlay is perfect for carpets, making them feel much nicer to walk on and will help them last longer, too. It will also dampen sound and help insulate the room.

This underlay is suitable for any area of the house with a nice carpet, such as the loung, stairs, or bedrooms. It is also made from recycled fibres, making it environmentally friendly.

3mm Combat Laminate Floor Underlay

This 3mm laminate floor underlay has low thermal resistance, making it a good choice for rooms with underfloor heating. In addition, it contains a 0.8mm membrane film which reduces moisture migration, and it exponentially reduces sound.

8mm Thick Foam Luxury Carpet Underlay

This 8mm foam underlay is a great value option that suits any room with a carpet. It will make your carpet feel better, last longer, sound quieter when you walk on it, and help insulate your room. Again, it is made using recycled fibres, making it very environmentally friendly.

So, there you go. That gave you a quick overview of floor underlay, some of the types of underlay available, and their main benefits.