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.
- One of the most affordable options
- Feels cushioned underfoot
- Offers good soundproofing
- Pairs well with underfloor heating
2. Foam and Foil Underlay
Suitable for hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, and carpet.
- Offers maximum moisture control, preventing damp-related issues
- Retains warmth in a room and reduces heat loss
- Offers good soundproofing
- Makes floors feel soft and comfortable to walk on
3. Rubber
Suitable for hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, and luxury vinyl.
- Offers superior soundproofing
- Feels cushioned to walk on
- Protects floors against damp-related damage
- Can be paired with underfloor heating (only when the rubber underlay has a low TOG rating – see explanation below)
4. XPS Underlay
Suitable for engineered wood, laminate, and luxury vinyl.
- Offers good soundproofing, minimising the sound of footsteps
- Retains heat, helping floors stay warmer for longer
- Acts as a damp-proof barrier to protect floors from moisture
- Smooths out minor imperfections in subfloors
5. Fibreboard
Suitable for hardwood, engineered wood, and laminate.
- Reduces noise transmission, making footsteps appear quieter
- Highly effective at insulating floors, helping rooms retain heat
- Reduces unevenness in subfloors
- Unsuitable for wet areas, such as bathrooms
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
Underlay usually comes with a thickness between 2mm to 6mm. A thinner underlay is best used on floors with underfloor heating, while a thicker underlay is better suited to floors with a very uneven subfloor.
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.