Underlay for Laminate Flooring - DIY Chatroom

Zee 32 · 10-30-2009, 09:52 AM

I have received conflicting advice from different flooring departments at some of the big box stores, and thought the members here may be able to shed some light through their experiences.

I am laying about 400 sq feet of 12mm laminate flooring on a wood subfloor above grade. Moisture is not an issue, and the area below this room is climate controled.

The sales rep at the store I purchased it talked me out of buying the higher end underlay (Quietwalk type) and said that all I need is the basic foam underlay which is about a 3rd of the price. He said the thickness of the laminate is key, and if I was doing the cheaper 8mm laminate, he would recommend the Quietwalk type. I have never heard this before.

Other sales reps at different stores have advised that it makes a huge difference in sound to have the higher quality underlay.

Any advice? I don't mind spending the extra money if it is going to make a big difference, but don't want to spend it if I can get away with a mid range product instead.

Thanks for any help!

Zee

JK Floors · 10-30-2009, 11:21 AM

You can get away with the cheaper underlayment, but you pay for what you get. There is an advantage in getting better underlayment and if you like a quieter room and don't like the clicky sound of people walking on laminate flooring then get the better material.

Also consider if you get better underlayment or flooring from an actual flooring store. Most of the time (not always) you can get a better product and better advice from somewhere other than a big box store. You might pay more, but you might get a better product.

pinwheel45 · 10-30-2009, 11:37 AM

I'd spring for the quietwalk. Sound quality is the biggest advantage here.

LeviDIY · 10-30-2009, 11:45 AM

Go for the better quality underlayment - laminate is cheaper flooring to begin with, the cheaper underlayments accentuate that.

Zee 32 · 10-30-2009, 12:16 PM

Thanks for the replies....

Those sum up what I thought all along, in fact, at my previous house, I used the quietwalk, but this sales guy was adamant that it makes no difference in sound with 12mm laminate. I talked to a flooring installer who also told me that the middle of the road stuff isn't going to be any louder than the top of the line stuff....It just seems that every person I talk to, I get a different story...