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Hi all — I work in the flooring industry for a UK manufacturer and wanted to put together a practical guide on choosing the right underlay for laminate and LVT flooring as I see the same questions come up again and again on here.
The underlay choice for hard flooring is completely different from carpet underlay and getting it wrong causes real long term problems.
Thickness:For laminate and LVT flooring never go above 3mm to 6mm depending on your manufacturer guidelines. Too thick and your click lock joints will be under stress causing them to crack or separate over time. Always check your flooring manufacturer specification for maximum underlay thickness.
Damp proof membrane:If you are laying on a concrete subfloor you absolutely need an underlay with a built in vapour barrier or damp proof membrane. Without it moisture rises from the concrete and damages your flooring from underneath. This is the number one cause of laminate floor failure in UK homes — particularly in older properties with solid concrete ground floors.
Acoustic performance:A good acoustic underlay makes a significant difference to footfall noise between floors — particularly important in flats and terraced houses which make up the majority of UK housing stock.
Underfloor heating:If you have UFH always check the underlay tog rating and confirm compatibility before purchasing. Most 3mm foil underlays are compatible but always verify with the manufacturer.
What to look for:
Product I have been using: We supply a 3mm foil-backed acoustic underlay with a built-in damp-proof membrane that covers 10 square meters per roll — works with laminate, LVT, vinyl, and engineered wood on concrete, chipboard, and timber subfloors. Available on B&Q, URL:https://www.diy.com/departments/3mm...Q.prd?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=Pinterest or search KK Foams on diy.com. Also available for direct collection from our Sutton Coldfield store, Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 5 pm — call ahead to place your order. No minimum order.
Happy to answer any specific questions about underlay specifications for your project. Email us at [email protected] for trade and bulk enquiries.
The underlay choice for hard flooring is completely different from carpet underlay and getting it wrong causes real long term problems.
Thickness:For laminate and LVT flooring never go above 3mm to 6mm depending on your manufacturer guidelines. Too thick and your click lock joints will be under stress causing them to crack or separate over time. Always check your flooring manufacturer specification for maximum underlay thickness.
Damp proof membrane:If you are laying on a concrete subfloor you absolutely need an underlay with a built in vapour barrier or damp proof membrane. Without it moisture rises from the concrete and damages your flooring from underneath. This is the number one cause of laminate floor failure in UK homes — particularly in older properties with solid concrete ground floors.
Acoustic performance:A good acoustic underlay makes a significant difference to footfall noise between floors — particularly important in flats and terraced houses which make up the majority of UK housing stock.
Underfloor heating:If you have UFH always check the underlay tog rating and confirm compatibility before purchasing. Most 3mm foil underlays are compatible but always verify with the manufacturer.
What to look for:
- Built-in foil vapour barrier — essential for concrete subfloors
- 3mm thickness — ideal for most click lock laminate and LVT systems
- Acoustic properties — reduces footfall noise between floors
- Underfloor heating compatible
- Compatible with laminate, LVT, and vinyl flooring
Product I have been using: We supply a 3mm foil-backed acoustic underlay with a built-in damp-proof membrane that covers 10 square meters per roll — works with laminate, LVT, vinyl, and engineered wood on concrete, chipboard, and timber subfloors. Available on B&Q, URL:https://www.diy.com/departments/3mm...Q.prd?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=Pinterest or search KK Foams on diy.com. Also available for direct collection from our Sutton Coldfield store, Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 5 pm — call ahead to place your order. No minimum order.
Happy to answer any specific questions about underlay specifications for your project. Email us at [email protected] for trade and bulk enquiries.
