Review of the best underlays for laminate

Laminate has a reputation for being a stylish and practical floor covering. However, no matter how high-quality and expensive the floor is, a correctly selected underlay product is a guarantee not only of its durability, but also of its external attractiveness. This refers to construction underlays that equally well smooth out the shortcomings of the base preparation, and do not allow unwanted noise, moisture, and effectively retain heat. This review has been prepared in order to acquaint potential consumers with the key advantages and disadvantages of the best modern underlays for laminate. The review presents underlays for floors of different thicknesses, with various characteristics, which suggest laying on both wooden floors and concrete analogues.

About the factors that determine the right choice

The selection of laminate underlays available in the contemporary construction market is enormous. The raw materials, release forms (sheets, slabs, rolls), origins (artificial, natural), and numerous other characteristics vary amongst products. It makes the most sense to carefully examine the following elements in order to choose the ideal insulation underlay for a given set of operating conditions:

1. Features of the room where the flooring will take place.
2. Height of the underlay material.
3. Difficulty of installation.
4. Price of the underlay.
5. Service life declared by the manufacturer of the underlay.
6. Environmental friendliness of the product.

Possibility of resistance to pathogenic microbes, fungi, rodents, harsh environments, etc.

The most well-liked samples among customers as well as cutting-edge, recently released products that the average consumer is not familiar with are both featured in our review.

The best choice is Uniplex Ecoline

One of the warmest and best backing materials for improving acoustic noise neutralization from the floor in residential spaces is Uniplex Ecoline felt backing.

When it comes to noise absorption and sound insulation, 100% natural thermally pressed fibrous material is superior to any domestic underlay. Thus, even in the priciest price range, the material serves as a sort of quality standard for underlay products. An underlay of superior quality that is reasonably priced relative to industry standards performs admirably in mitigating noise absorption from any source. A product that is both safe and eco-friendly has outstanding elasticity and density. The felt underlay is renowned for its inherent warmth and ability to withstand compression under weights.

When it comes to features, thermal felt UNIPLEX underlays are nearly identical to imported goods in the most expensive range, but they will come at a substantially lower price. The material is distinguished by having a five-year warranty and all state safety certificates. The substrate manufacturer permits the product to be used in children’s, medical, and social facilities in conjunction with most underfloor heating systems and any type of floor covering.

• Environmental purity.
• 100 percent security.
• Stiffness to compression at loads.
• Maximum density combined with elasticity.
• High resistance to the appearance of any undesirable forms of life (mold, fungus, etc.D.).
• Everything you need for laying the substrate is mounted in the material.
• Ease of installation with the possibility of laying on a base with height differences of up to 3 mm.
• High operational insulating characteristics not only in absorption of noise, sound insulation, but also on heat.
• Available cost of the UNIPLEX ECOLINE.

Bazalux – the best option for laminate on a wooden base

The Portuguese brand Egen’s finest material is the corch substrate known as BAZALUX. One benefit is that it is completely ecologically pure. Without a doubt, this product won’t release any dangerous materials into the atmosphere. The brand provides rolls of 2 and 3 mm underlay in two different thickness options. In both situations, the underlay material’s area is precisely 10 m^2. With a cork underlay, the product’s capacity to absorb sound is increased to the tune of 17 dB. Furthermore very high are Bazalux’s heat-insulating properties.

• Ecologically friendly.
• Easy installation with the possibility of laying on a base with height differences of up to 3 mm.
• High performance characteristics.

• Material from the highest price category.
• The initial half a meter of underlay for the floor, as a rule, is rejected due to creases.
• Laying the underlay is carried out only on a layer of vapor barrier, which further increases the cost of the floor.

TIKHOKHOD+

An inventive underlay material called Tikhokhod Plus is made of non-woven, naturally regenerated fiber. Professional floor underlay is perfect for laminate floors as well as other man-made, natural surfaces.

• The thoughtfulness of multi -layer multitasking design with effective technology of vapor -eating.
• Excellent resistance to deformation, crumbling, breakage.
• Compliance with international standards in terms of noise absorption and sound insulation.
• Ease of installation work (everything that is required for laying and forming a solid sheet using floating technology is already built into the material).
• The durability of the substrate is 3mm.

• The severity and volume of the roll.

Uniplex Professional

An inventive composite substrate offers excellent hydro-, heat-, and soundproof capabilities to nearly all synthetic and natural coatings, making it appropriate for styling for any purpose. For a warm floor, this perforated undergrowth is perfect. Any home master can lay a laminate substrate; specialized tools or special skills are not needed.

Technically speaking, UNIPLEX substrates are virtually identical to comparable foreign goods in the most expensive price range, but they will come at a significantly lower cost. With its standard safety certificates, the material can be used in children’s, medical, and social institutions alongside most underfloor heating systems and floor coverings. Although the composite substrate for laminate has a 5-year warranty, it usually lasts much longer—roughly as long as a premium finishing coat.

• Multitasking.
• Versatility (suitable for laying parquet, laminate, carpet, linoleum, PVC tiles on any rough base).
• Compatibility with underfloor heating systems.
• Good leveling potential.
• High heat, hydro-, soundproofing, damping characteristics.
• Ease of installation, thanks to the thoughtfulness of the design with an embedded self-adhesive layer.
• Resistance to the appearance of any unauthorized “settlements” (fungi, mold, etc.) in the under-laminate space.d.).
• Reasonableness of affordable cost (medium price category).
• Durability.

PROFITEX

Technically and operationally, the lining material is comparable to the 3 mm UNIPLEX PROFESSIONAL composite underlay in many respects. The same multiple layers, excellent soundproofing qualities, and high degree of moisture protection. low coefficient of compression when under load. Installing the product in both public and residential areas is advised because it is completely safe for human use. Similar to the polymer composite underlay previously mentioned, PROFITEX’s service life is constrained by the laminate’s service life.

An excellent choice for underlay beneath a heated floor is PROFITEX. Any home craftsman can lay underlay underneath laminate.

• High thermal and waterproofing properties.
• High degree of noise absorption, sound insulation.
• Excellent shock-absorbing properties.
• The material is practically unwrinkled, perfectly withstands increased loads from furniture.
• 3 mm underlayment is odorless.
• Ease of installation.
• Durability.

• High price of the underlay.

Arbiton Secura Extra

When installing laminate flooring in areas where the loads on the flooring are not higher than average, the polish underlay material Arbiton Secura Extra is a good choice. Because of its 3 mm thickness, extruded polystyrene sheet underlay effectively eliminates small height variations (less than 2 mm). The underlay’s maker guarantees that the grooves created especially for it promote more vigorous air movement in the under-laminated area. As such, there is much less chance of fungal colonies developing there.

• Attractive price.
• Strength, reliability of connections in the grooves.
• Good softening of static, impact loads.
• The presence of markings and tape-scotch tape for easier installation.
• Absence of odors.

• High fragility of the material.
• Crumples during operation.
• Soundproofing at the limit of the lower level of the International Building Code.
• Mandatory use of a vapor barrier film, which implies an increase in the budget.
• Labor and time-consuming installation of the underlay.

STEICO

Pressing is used to create coniferous underlay for laminate flooring manufactured by STEICO in Poland from crushed coniferous wood. Sheet underlay material is well-liked by people who value environmental sustainability above all else.

• 100% natural + environmental friendliness.
• A large assortment of slabs with a thickness of 4-7 mm.
• Decent insulation characteristics for heat, sounds, noise of any origin.
• High resistance to mold, fungi.
• Durability, reliability of joints in grooves.
• Good softening of static, impact loads.
• Presence of markings and adhesive tape for ease of installation.

• Fragility.
• Material of the highest price category.
• Presence of a characteristic odor.
• Combination with a vapor barrier film is mandatory, which implies additional costs for the purchase and payment for the work of the master.

PROFloor 5mm

Ukrainian-made universal underlayment that can be used under carpet, laminate, or parquet flooring.

Owing to its high elasticity, polystyrene can eliminate subfloor defects as small as 2.5 mm, resist noise and moisture, and have a high potential for heat savings.

• Universality + multitasking.
• Affordable cost of the underlay.
• Absence of odors.

• Quickly crumples during operation.
• Soundproofing potential is at the limit of the permissible.
• When laying, it is necessary to use an additional vapor barrier layer.

The ideal option for lovers of branded purchases – Quick-StepBasic

In the industry, Quick-StepBasic is regarded as one of the most well-known products. It is advised to lay foamed underlay in rolls of 15 m2 that are 3 mm thick on any base, including concrete. There is good potential for leveling the underlay.

• Universality.
• Good resistance to moisture in any form.

• Little soundproofing potential.
• Expensive installation of underlayment.

Accordion underlay

Although universal artificial polystyrene accordion underlays have a nice appearance, experts dislike working with them because of the material’s fragility and the requirement to install a vapor barrier layer beforehand. Furthermore, the product has a low potential for soundproofing and is prone to sagging under the weight of furniture.

• Lightness.
• Affordability of the underlay price.
• High waterproofing potential.
• Quick recovery after loads.

• Fragility, fragility.
• Labor and time-consuming installation of the underlay.
• Low noise absorption and sound insulation parameters.
• Short-lived.

Stenofonn

Pressed bits of real cork tree bark are used to make the "Stenofonn" cork underlay. Superior soundproofing qualities are found in materials that fall into the most expensive category.

• Environmental friendliness.
• Universality.
• Durability if operating conditions are strictly observed.

• The initial 50 cm of each roll are unsuitable for laying due to creases.
• Material from the highest price category.
• Laying is prohibited in rooms with high humidity.
• Must be combined with additional vapor barrier material on any rough base.
• Requires ideal evenness and cleanliness of the rough base.

Foamed polyethylene

Domestically produced, contemporary foamed polyethylene substrates are appealing because of their affordability, range of forms, roll length (10, 25 m), and thickness (2, 3 mm). Similar to all other substrate kinds, these products are only laid in a single layer. Experts advise against using this product for laying since it is meant for packaging. This attitude is due to the fact that air bubbles burst after six months of use, turning the underlayment into a polyethylene sheet.

• Ease.
• Small price.
• Universality (the manufacturer assures that the material is suitable for all varieties of laminate).
• Simplicity of laying.

• Minimum service life (no more than 6 months!).
• The laying of a vapor barrier layer is desirable.
• Low heat, sound insulation.
• Lack of leveling potential.

Foil isolon

The substrate, or isolon foil, is composed of cloth (porous foamopylene) covered in one or two layers of polished aluminum foil on both sides. Because of the material’s ease of production, it is very gap.

• Affordability.
• High thermal resistance.
• Low thermal conductivity.
• Simplicity of laying (self -adhesive product).
• Ease.

• Short service life (up to 6 months!).
• It is recommended to lay a vapor barrier layer.
• Low heat and sound insulation.
• Preparation for laying the substrate involves keeping the material for a day or two. Otherwise, waves are likely.
• Small leveling potential.

Isoplaat Quiet Run

The wood-fiber substrate consisting of cellulose and natural wood waste is the foundation of the Estonian Isoplaat Quiet Run substrate. The laminate underlay may be installed on surfaces whose alignment is in doubt, according to the manufacturer. This product’s structure enables you to compensate for the rough base’s shortcomings by causing the lower layer to distort.

• Naturalness.
• Environmental safety.
• Good heat and noise absorption indicators.
• Thanks to special treatment with antiseptics, it is resistant to the appearance of any colonies (fungi, mold, etc.d.).
• Choice of material of any thickness from 4.5 to 7 mm.

• Characteristic smell of herbicides, remaining from the treatment of wood with herbicides.
• Material from the highest price category.
• Hydrophobia (contact with moisture softens the lining material, in critical situations to a state liquids).
• The need to lay a vapor barrier layer, which implies additional costs, including the work of specialists.
• In case of insufficiently thorough treatment with the Isoplaat Quiet Run antiseptic, there is a fairly high risk of a colony of booklice appearing in the sub-laminate layer, which, multiplying, will eat the underlay under the clean one in a couple of years (such cases have been recorded).

Arbiton Eco Max

Arbiton Eco Max, a Polish-made underlay for laminate floors, is known for being a secure polystyrene product. The sheet material is distinguished by its 5 mm thickness and unique fastening method using a groove system.

• High fire safety.
• Durability.
• Good resistance to deformation from static loads.

• Labor-intensive and time-consuming installation.
• Low thermal conductivity.
• High cost.

Advice from professionals

Insulating underlays with a multiplied thermal insulation potential are advised for residential buildings on the first floor.

Selecting flooring for children’s rooms requires selecting materials with strong soundproofing or noise-absorbing qualities.

Laminate floors above bathrooms and other high-humidity areas need to be covered with underlays that completely block the passage of moisture.

It’s critical to select an underlay for laminate flooring that strikes a balance between comfort, soundproofing, and durability. We’ll examine the best underlays on the market in this post, emphasizing important characteristics like moisture resistance, insulation, and simplicity of installation to help you choose wisely and guarantee your laminate floor looks fantastic and functions properly for many years to come.

The following thorough solution will assist you in selecting the best laminate underlay:

• a complete analysis of the technical and operational properties of the selected options;
• studying real user reviews;
• taking into account the opinions of experienced craftsmen – floor covering installers.

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