Once you’ve chosen the perfect laminate flooring for your room, the next step is to find the right underlay . Underlay can be an overlooked component of the floor installation process, but it plays a significant role in ensuring the longevity, comfort, and soundproofing of your flooring, so fitting it right is essential. Fortunately, laying laminate underlay is a relatively straightforward process if you know what you’re doing.
In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to lay laminate underlay, covering frequently asked laminate underlay questions and taking you through the installation process step-by-step.
Article by: Laura Walker , Product & Design Specialist, EGGER UK
- Laminate underlay FAQs
- Do you need underlay for laminate flooring?
- Can you use carpet underlay for laminate flooring?
- What thickness underlay is best for laminate flooring?
- What underlay do I need for laminate flooring?
- How much is underlay for laminate flooring?
- Do you need to tape laminate underlay?
- How to lay underlay for laminate: A 4-step guide
- Step 1: Collect your measurements
- Step 2: Remove current flooring
- Step 3: Prepare the subfloor
- Step 4: Lay the underlay
Laminate underlay FAQs
Do you need underlay for laminate flooring?
Yes, you do need underlay for laminate, just like you do for most other types of flooring. You put underlay under laminate because it acts as a cushioning layer between the subfloor and the laminate, ensuring your flooring sits evenly and feels comfortable underfoot. Without this protective layer, laminate planks can shift and create an uneven surface. Underlay comes with several other benefits too, including thermal insulation, sound reduction, moisture protection, and making your laminate flooring more durable.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that you can lay laminate without underlay if the flooring planks already have underlay attached. In fact, you should avoid laying laminate underlay in this case as this can cause more problems in the long run. The added thickness of this extra layer can prevent the laminate boards from locking together properly, causing gaps between planks or making them buckle.
Can you use carpet underlay for laminate flooring?
If you already have a carpet underlay, it can be tempting to reuse this rather than laying a new laminate underlay to save yourself some time and effort. However, this is a bad idea in the long run as carpet underlay is not suitable for laminate flooring. Carpet underlay is designed to be much thicker than laminate underlay, providing a very cushioned layer for soft flooring. As already mentioned, underlay that is too thick can create unstable laminate flooring and lead to gaps and buckling planks. When shopping for underlay, you should look for thinner, firmer options designed to support the interlocking mechanism of laminate planks and keep the floor flat and secure.
What thickness underlay is best for laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring underlay thickness is usually around 1mm to 3mm. This tends to be the best thickness level as it provides enough of a protective barrier without making the floor feel too spongy underfoot, as it is often the case that the thicker the underlay, the softer it is. Here at EGGER, we offer a range of underlays varying in thickness, including 2mm, 1.8mm, and 1.5mm options.
We also have an extra thin 0.2mm AlufFlex vapour barrier to install alongside an underlay with no vapour barrier to protect your flooring from rising moisture. A vapour barrier is especially important when laying underlay on mineral subfloors, as they often contain a level of residual moisture which can damage the laminate flooring.
However, when installing laminate flooring on top of a wooden base, such as floorboards or chipboards, you need to be careful not to disturb the natural moisture balance in the wood. Wood can absorb and release moisture depending on the time of year, so it's important to let it "breathe." To do this, you should avoid using a vapour barrier layer that blocks moisture between the wooden base and the laminate flooring.
How much is underlay for laminate flooring?
Before learning how to lay underlay for laminate flooring, you need to plan your renovation project, and this includes budgeting for the process. The cost of laminate underlay can vary depending on the type and quality you choose. On average, laminate underlay prices range between £2 to £10 per square metre. When budgeting, remember that the quality of your underlay can impact the overall performance and durability of your laminate flooring, so it's worth investing in the best.
What underlay do I need for laminate flooring?
When it comes to which underlay to install for laminate flooring, this largely depends on the condition of your subfloor and your specific requirements. Here at EGGER we have a variety of underlays to browse, with options suitable for both mineral and wood subfloors, as well as underlays compatible with underfloor heating. Two popular options available in our collection are the EGGER Silenzio Easy and the EGGER Silenzio EASY SD , which comes with a vapour control layer attached for water vapour diffusion resistance.
Other great underlay choices in our collection include the Silenzio Duo , a 1.5mm underlay with a vapour barrier suitable for mineral subfloors, and the Silenzio Professional SD 3-in-1, one of our most durable and resilient options with an integrated vapour barrier which is crafted from a polyurethane mineral mixture (PUM).
There are other options available on the market, but it’s important to check whether they are suitable for your home. For example, cork underlays are sometimes used under laminate flooring as they can be effective at dampening sound, however they are not waterproof.
How to lay underlay for laminate: A 4-step guide
Do you need to tape laminate underlay?
Yes, taping is recommended when laying underlay for laminate, especially if you’re working with rolls. Using tape helps to secure the edges and keep the underlay in place, preventing it from shifting during the installation of your laminate flooring. Here at EGGER, we stock a handy self-adhesive Aluminium Sealing Tape, designed to prevent any moisture from your subfloors damaging to your flooring.
Step 1: Collect your measurements
Before you start laying underlay for laminate flooring, you must first ensure you have the right measurements for your floor space. To do this, measure the length and width of the room and calculate the square metre area. Make sure you measure carefully around obstacles such as radiators, doors, and built-in furniture. You can find out more about how to do this in our guide on how much laminate you need .
Step 2: Remove current flooring
Before laying laminate underlay, you need to remove any existing flooring. This step will vary depending on what type of flooring you currently have. If you have carpet, start by removing the skirting board by using a utility knife to gently peel the board away from the wall, then start to peel back the carpet from the corner with pliers, removing any tacks or staples holding it down. Once you’ve peeled around three feet of carpet, cut the old carpet into manageable strips and peel these away bit by bit.
If you already have laminate flooring and you’re doing an update, we have a guide to removing laminate flooring to help you with this process. Vinyl, tiles, or other hard surfaces should be removed with care, using the appropriate tools to avoid damaging the subfloor. And don’t forget to remove the existing underlay while removing the flooring.
Step 3: Prepare the subfloor
The next step of laying laminate underlay is to ensure that the subfloor is in good condition. A stable and secure subfloor is vital in the long run as it can expand the lifespan of your laminate flooring. If the subfloor is weak or damaged, it can cause the flooring to degrade faster or fail, leading to costly repairs or replacements down the road.
The type of subfloor you’re working with will determine the preparation needed. For concrete subfloors, it’s important to ensure the surface is clean, dry, and level. If there are any cracks, holes, or imperfections, you should fill these with a concrete patching compound, or caulk if the gap is smaller than a quarter of an inch. Concrete subfloors can also be prone to moisture, so it’s vital to check for dampness. If you do find moisture, you’ll need to install a moisture barrier underlay or use a damp-proof membrane before laying your underlay.
Before laying laminate underlay over a wooden subfloor, start by sweeping the area for debris and making sure the floor is even, secure, and free of any protruding nails or screws. Check for any loose boards and secure them if necessary, as this can lead to uneven flooring and creaking. You should also check for gaps between the boards and fill in any you come across with a reliable wood filler and sand it down to make the filler flush with the subfloor surface. You can fill larger gaps with off-cuts, although if your subfloor has significant damage, you may need to lay a thin plywood layer before installing underlay.
Step 4: Lay the underlay
Once your subfloor is prepped and ready, it's time to lay the underlay for your laminate. Start the process in one corner of the room and place or roll out the underlay parallel to the longest wall. If you’re wondering which way to lay underlay for laminate, remember that the vapour control layer must be laid with the foil side facing down, towards the subfloor. You should also always ensure that the underlay lies flat without any wrinkles or creases to keep the surface as level and flat as possible. Then, cut the underlay to size using a utility knife, leaving a slight gap (around 10mm) between the edge of the underlay and the wall. This is to allow for expansion caused by fluctuating temperatures and humidity. You should also cut out a space for any obstacles, such as radiator pipes.
Once the first strip is in place, lay the next strip adjacent to it. Each piece of underlay should be laid side by side, with the edges butting up against each other but without overlapping, as this can create an uneven surface for the laminate. Remember to tape the seams together with underlay tape to keep the pieces securely in place and prevent any moisture from seeping through. Continue laying the underlay across the room until the entire floor is covered, with a 10mm gap between the underlay and the wall around the border of the room.
Laying underlay for laminate flooring is a straightforward process if you take the time to prepare your subfloor correctly and choose the right underlay for your home. By reading the answers to our FAQs and following the four steps above, you should know how to lay underlay for laminate flooring and ensure a solid foundation.
To ensure success when laying laminate flooring and underlay, it’s important to invest in the best. EGGER’s underlay and laminate flooring are expertly engineered for durability, so you can rest assured you’re choosing flooring that will stand the test of time when you shop with us. Explore our full range today, and use our flooring finder and flooring visualiser to discover the best fit for your home. And for even more flooring installation advice, make sure to check out our laminate flooring resource hub . Here you’ll find everything you need to know about installing and taking care of your laminate, from how to clean laminate flooring to common mistakes when laying laminate flooring.
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