We researched the best underlayments on the market, assessing floor type compatibility, ease of installment, quality, and overall value. Our favorites include options for laminate floors, like the Roberts AirGuard 5-in-1 Floor Underlayment, concrete floors, like the Eco Cork Foam Premium 10-in-1 Underlayment, and tile floors, like the DUROCK Cement Backer Board. Here are the best flooring underlayments. Other benefits are that this underlayment reduces noise and sound transmission and works with radiant heated floors. It’s easy to install and hardy enough that it won’t rip while you’re working on your floors, which you or your contractor will appreciate. Price at time of publish: $69 Other benefits include its waterproof and antimicrobial properties, making it resistant to mold and bacteria growth. It also provides sound absorption and promotes even weight distribution to extend the life of your floors. You can use it on any floor of your home, including in the basement over wood or concrete subfloors, and it works with nearly any flooring type. Price at time of publish: $67 Thanks to the many dimples, this floor underlayment allows moisture to evaporate, so it won’t damage your vinyl flooring (or lead to mold in damp conditions). Another advantage is that it will keep your floor from getting too cold, which can raise your heating costs. It also works with laminate and engineered hardwood floors. Price at time of publish: $77 It’s made of polypropylene foam that surpasses even California’s strict VOC emissions standards. It works with laminate, solid wood, and engineered wooden floors to not only tamper down sound but also to cushion your steps and trap in radiant heat. This is a big plus for anyone living in one of the colder states. Other benefits include its self-sticking adhesive, which makes it easy to lie down, and the antimicrobial properties that make it mold- and mildew-resistant. Price at time of publish: $69 This pick works over wood and steel framing to create a smooth, even application of your tiles and can even work on your countertops. The Durock brand features edges that are wrapped for a cleaner appearance, easier handling, and less potential for damage during insulation. It comes in 0.25-inch or 0.5-inch thickness, so be sure to select the recommended one for your specific job. Price at time of publish: $11 This pick is quick to install, thanks to a self-adhesive strip. For the price, it’s a nice, lightweight option that will work for multiple areas of your home. Price at time of publish: $49
Types
There are several floor underlayment materials that are commonly used for professional and DIY flooring projects including foam, rubber, cork, rubber cork, and felt underlayment. Foam underlayment is one of the most common underlayment options because it’s cost-effective, easy to install, and incredibly versatile. Some products even have built-in adhesive strips to streamline the installation process. Rubber underlayment is an excellent choice if the goal is sound absorption and insulation. It isn’t as versatile as foam, but rubber has superior insulating qualities and it can be installed over wood or concrete subfloors without an issue. Cork underlayment is regularly used in condo floor installations because it absorbs sound better than most other underlayment materials. It’s also an environmentally-friendly choice. Just keep in mind that cork is susceptible to water damage, so it should not be installed in a bathroom, kitchen, or any other flood-prone areas of the home, like the basement. Rubber cork underlayment combines the best of rubber and cork to create a highly effective material for insulating the floor. It is flexible and water-resistant, though rubber cork underlayment can stain vinyl. Despite the water-resistant qualities of this material, it’s still suggested to install a vapor barrier to improve the durability of the floor. Felt underlayment is typically denser than foam, which makes it a good sound absorber. Additionally, felt is usually made from recycled fibers, so it’s an environmentally-friendly option that also helps to insulate the home. Some felt underlayment products even have a built-in vapor barrier.
Flooring Compatibility
Laminate flooring is a hybrid material made primarily of melamine resin and particle board with a transparent wear layer on the surface. Install foam underlayment for improved insulation and sound absorption. Cork underlayment is another good option that can greatly increase sound absorption. Vinyl flooring is prone to staining when used with rubber or rubber cork underlayment. Instead, you should install cork underlayment for better sound absorption. Foam can also be used, though many vinyl flooring materials come with built-in cork underlayment, so this may not be a concern. Tile flooring can shift and separate, forming cracks in the grout. To help prevent cracking, rubber cork underlay is the suggested material. The flexibility of this underlay, as well as the water-resistant qualities, makes it ideal for protecting and insulating newly installed tile flooring. Hardwood flooring is commonly installed with foam underlayment because this material is easy to work with and affordable. However, cork is a better option for supporting hardwood flooring, if you don’t mind paying a bit more.
Cost
Foam underlayment is an affordable option for most flooring materials. It’s typically 3mm to 6mm thick and ranges from $0.22 to $0.30 per square foot. Rubber underlayment is one of the most expensive options. You can purchase rubber underlayment from 2mm to 9mm thick. Expect to pay about $1.15 to $1.50 per square foot. Cork underlayment ranges from about $0.50 to $0.75 per square foot. The underlayment can be 3mm to 6mm thick, and it’s ideal for use with vinyl and hardwood flooring. Rubber cork underlayment has a similar price as rubber underlay. It can be purchased in thicknesses from 3mm to 6mm at an average price of $1.15 to $1.50 per square foot. Felt underlayment can vary in price depending on the manufacturer. Similar to foam, felt underlayment is usually 3mm to 6mm thick, but it has a higher cost, ranging from $0.75 to $1.25 per square foot.
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Additional reporting and research for this article were done by Timothy Dale, a long-time home improvement expert specializing in plumbing, construction, and product recommendations, among other topics.
