Underlays for Concrete Floors

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What is the best Underlay for Laminate flooring on Concrete?

Cork underlay is worth every penny. Cork is a natural insulator, so it’s fantastic at keeping your floors warm, which is a big plus if you’re dealing with a chilly concrete subfloor. It also does an excellent job at noise reduction, making it perfect for busy households. Plus, it’s eco friendly, which is a nice bonus if you’re looking to go green.

If you’re looking for the ultimate in performance, consider a combination underlay. These products often combine foam or cork with a built-in moisture barrier and sometimes even a soundproofing layer. This gives you the best of all worlds: comfort, moisture protection, sound reduction, and durability. It’s the all-in-one solution for those who want to make sure their laminate floor is top-notch.

Cork underlay being prepared for laminate on top of concrete flooring.
Cork underlay being prepared for laminate on top of concrete flooring.

Best Carpet Underlay for Concrete Floor

If you’re looking for something that’s a bit more heavy duty, rubber underlay is a brilliant option. It’s incredibly durable, providing excellent support and prolonging the life of your carpet. Rubber underlay is great at insulating against cold and damp concrete, making your floors warmer and more comfortable. It also has fantastic soundproofing qualities, which is a big plus if you’re in a busy household or a multi-story building.

Felt underlay is another wise choice. Made from recycled materials, felt underlay is thick, again durable, and offers great insulation. It’s perfect for adding a soft, luxurious feel underfoot. Felt underlay also, like rubber, provides good sound insulation.

Like with laminate underlay, combination underlay is the way to go. These products often combine foam or felt with a rubber backing and is designed to handle the unique challenges of concrete floors, like moisture and temperature variations, while still providing a plush feel under your carpet.

Rubber underlay being prepared for carpet on top of concrete flooring.
Rubber underlay being prepared for carpet on top of concrete flooring.

Damp Proof Underlay for Concrete Floors

Concrete floors are notorious for moisture issues. They can absorb and release moisture from the ground, which can wreak havoc on your flooring above. Whether you’re laying down laminate, carpet, or any other type of flooring, moisture can cause warping, mold growth, and general deterioration. A damp proof underlay acts as a barrier, preventing moisture from seeping up and damaging your beautiful floors.

There are a few types of damp proof underlay you can choose from, each with its own set of benefits. One of the most common options is plastic sheeting. This is a heavy duty plastic layer that goes directly on the concrete. It’s simple, effective, and relatively inexpensive. Just make sure it’s thick enough (at least 6 mil) to provide adequate protection.

Foam underlay with an attached moisture barrier is a two in one solution. The foam provides cushioning and comfort, while the moisture barrier prevents dampness from seeping through. This is great for laminate and engineered wood flooring.

Quick Recap on the Available Underlays for Concrete Flooring

  • Foam underlay
    A versatile and affordable option that provides good cushioning and sound insulation.
  • Foam Underlay with Moisture Barrier
    Combines foam cushioning with a built-in moisture barrier to protect against dampness from concrete floors.
  • Cork underlay
    An eco-friendly choice that offers excellent thermal insulation and noise reduction.
  • Rubber underlay
    Durable and resilient, ideal for high-traffic areas, providing superior soundproofing and comfort.
  • Felt underlay
    Made from recycled materials, it provides a soft, luxurious feel and excellent sound insulation.
  • Combination underlay
    A multi-layered underlay that combines materials like foam or felt with a moisture barrier for comprehensive protection and comfort.
  • Plastic sheeting
    A simple, heavy-duty plastic layer that acts as a basic moisture barrier under various types of flooring.
  • Self leveling underlay
    A special type of underlay that helps to level uneven concrete floors before installing the final flooring.
  • Thermal underlay
    Designed specifically to provide extra warmth, ideal for colder climates or basements.
  • Acoustic underlay
    Engineered to significantly reduce noise, perfect for multi-story buildings or high-traffic areas.

What Thickness Underlay is needed for Concrete Floors?

For most residential applications, a standard underlay thickness of around 3 to 5 millimeters is typically sufficient. This thickness provides a good balance of cushioning and support, making your floors comfortable to walk on while also offering some sound insulation. It’s an ideal choice for rooms like living areas, bedrooms, and hallways where you want a bit of extra comfort underfoot without going overboard.

If you’re dealing with high-traffic areas or commercial spaces, you might want to go thicker. In these cases, underlays ranging from 6 to 10 millimeters can offer better durability and enhanced soundproofing. A thicker underlay is particularly beneficial in busy environments.

For laminate or engineered wood flooring over concrete, a 3 to 5 millimeter underlay with an attached moisture barrier is often recommended. When installing carpet over concrete, the underlay thickness can be a bit more forgiving. A thicker underlay, around 8 to 10 millimeters, is usually preferred for carpet.

Get in touch to find out more about our Underlays for Concrete Flooring

Our team of experts is ready to transform your room with precision and craftsmanship. Don't settle for ordinary when you can have exceptional. Contact us now for concrete flooring underlay by emailing us at info@britishconcretepolishing.co.uk or by filling in the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.