Which underlay do I need with my floor?
Firstly, what is an underlay?
An underlay is a sheet of material that's laid between the subfloor and the floor. It keeps the floor level and stable, helps cover tiny bumps in the subfloor and can insulate against heat and sound.
There are many different types of underlay available depending on your needs, so we've gathered some of the major types together in one, convenient list.
Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) Underlays
All these underlays feature a Damp Proof Membrane (DPM). This is necessary when laying over concrete subfloors or to protect your flooring from damp coming from below.
Nätura Bronze
This product is 3mm thick foam and comes with a built in DPM (damp proof membrane) layer which is vital for any installation over concrete. Light and easy to handle and it cuts and fits with ease. Fair thermal insulation and sound impact reduction qualities. It can be used downstairs and upstairs in the home, although we suggest considering a specific acoustic underlay if noise is an issue.
Nätura Silver Acoustic
Offers good comfort and support and recovery whilst still remaining a good economic solution. A silver foil vapour barrier with a 200mm overlap acts as an excellent DPM to protect your floor for moisture attached to a high density foam core with high compressive strength. Good thermal insulation and sound impact reduction qualities, up to 18db. It can also be used downstairs and upstairs in the home, although we suggest considering a specific acoustic underlay if noise is an issue.
Gold Acoustic
Offers exceptional performance for comfort, support, and acoustic reduction of over 24dB. This product also offers excellent thermal insulation properties making it ideal for underfloor heating systems. Made with non-toxic and non-dusting and will effectively even out minor floor imperfections. A gold foil vapour barrier with a 200mm overlap acts as an excellent DPM to protect your floor for moisture attached to a high density foam core with high compressive and recovery strength.
Quickstep Combifloor Plus
Suitable underlay for all Quickstep flooring. This underlay comes with a built in Damp Proof Membrane which is a requirement for concrete subfloors. It is good for sound reduction both within the room and below. Quickstep underlay must be used to comply with the Quickstep Warranty.
Quickstep Unisound Combiflor
Protects against rising damp suitable for underfloor heating and reduces sound within the room from high heels etc. Has built in dpm. Quickstep underlay must be used to comply with the Quickstep Warranty.
Foam Underlays
There's not always a need for a DPM, and that's where these foam underlays come in. They help insulate heat and sound and they can still be laid with a DPM if you need one.
Quickstep Laminate Foam Underlay
A good basic underlay that can be used over any wooden subfloor. If used over concrete floors, a damp proof membrane must be laid first. Quickstep underlay must be used to comply with the Quickstep Warranty.
Nätura Foam Underlay
Foam underlay is ideal for use with laminate flooring or wood flooring. The 2mm thickness P.E poly foam underlay offers some sound reduction and thermal insulation, but doesn't come with a DPM. This underlay is ideally used over wood or chipboard subfloors. Sold as cut lengths to the nearest 1m2.
Which underlays reduce sound?
The world can be a noisy place, so it's a special moment when you find a little oasis of calm and quiet in your own home.
That's why it's good to know that the right underlay can reduce the noise in your home and soften the sound of your footsteps. Essentially, there are two types of noise insulation, the most common is Transit Sound, which reduces the noise of your footsteps into the room below. Less common is Drum Sound, which actually quietens your footsteps in the room you're in.
Two of our underlays offer Drum Noise Insulation, the Quickstep Unisound Combiflor - 19Db and the Quickstep Silent Walk 17Db. They can be used with laminate or engineered floors and are great for sneaking around for midnight snacks.
Meanwhile, we have a wide selection of underlays with Transit Sound Insulation. This is really useful for installing above the ground floor, and can give you peace of mind if you live in a flat. Any pitter-patter of feet will be muted by these underlays. If you want to know just how much sound the underlay will absorb, we've listed the transit sound reduction next to each product on the list below.