Underlay is essential when installing new floors in the home – from laminate to carpets. The right product can enhance performance, improve comfort, and keep your floors better protected from daily wear and tear.
In this flooring underlay guide, we’ll explain the types of underlay and share the best underlay for laminate, luxury vinyl, and solid wood floors.
Underlay Types Explained
There are several types of underlay you’ll come across, including foam, foam and foil, rubber, XPS, and fibreboard underlay.
1. Foam Underlay
Suitable for hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, and carpet.
- Best Value
- Ultra Lightweight
- 2mm. provides an acoustic layer
- Low Tog. Perfect for underfloor heating
2. Foam and Foil Underlay
Suitable for hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, and carpet.
- Best Value
- Ultra Lightweight
- 3mm. Provides an acoustic layer
- Perfect for underfloor heating
- Incorporated foil barrier for suppressing subfloor moisture
3. Rubber
Suitable for hardwood, engineered wood and laminate.
- Made from recycled tyres
- Incorporated moisture barrier
- Can be paired with underfloor heating. Tog rating 0.8
- 3.5mm. Reccomended for herringbone pattern laminate and wood
- Provides excellent impact sound absorption at 23dB reduction
4. XPS Underlay
Suitable for engineered wood, laminate, and luxury vinyl.
- 20dB impact sound
- 2 Tog rating keeps the cold at bay
- 5mm. Levels minor subfloor imperfections
- Non-absorbing = ideal for kitchens and bathrooms
5. Fibreboard
Suitable for hardwood, engineered wood, and laminate.
- Recyclable
- 5mm. Levels minor subfloor imperfections
- Excellent 22dB impact sound reduction
- 0.5 Tog rating = perfect for use with underfloor heating
Features to Look For in Underlay
When shopping for underlay, you’ll encounter terms like TOG rating, DPM layer, and thickness – each affecting comfort, insulation, or moisture protection.
TOG Rating
TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) measures how well a material insulates. Underlay with a higher TOG rating offers better insulating qualities, meaning the floors stay warmer for longer and the room retains heat better. The lower the TOG rating, the less effective the insulating properties.
DPM Layer
DPM (Damp Proof Membrane) often refers to an underlay with a built-in layer that protects floors against moisture damage. You can also buy DPM as a standalone product, which goes over a subfloor and beneath your chosen underlay. DPM is essential when laying hard flooring over concrete to protect hard floors from moisture damage.
Thickness
Hardfloor underlay comes with a thickness between 1.5mm to 5mm. Each underlay has its own unique properties, so check to see which one is right for you.
Laminate and engineered wood can benefit from underlay between 3mm to 5mm thick, while hardwood floors can tolerate even thicker underlay.
What is the Best Underlay for Laminate?
The best underlay for laminate floors includes foam underlay, foam and foil underlay, XPS underlay, and fibreboard underlay.
Foam underlay is the most affordable option and is a universal solution, offering a range of benefits – from supporting underfloor heating systems to leveling floors and reducing echoes.
Shop Quality Underlay Today
Installing quality underlay beneath your floors and carpets is so important for extending the lifespan and comfort of your floors.
With the right underlay, you can protect your floors from damp or excess moisture, help with shock absorption, and improve soundproofing.
Find the right underlay for your home today with our collection of high-quality underlay for carpets and hard floors – including laminate, hardwood, luxury vinyl, and engineered wood.
