Looking to lay laminate flooring but don’t know which underlay you need? Check out our guide for which underlayment is best for you.

It’s no wonder why laminate flooring is one of the most popular and well-loved options for homeowners. It’s cost-effective, hard-wearing, and available in a multitude of different colours, finishes, and effects to suit any.

Just like with carpet, laminate flooring requires an underlay to help it last as long as possible and perform better once it’s laid. Without an underlay, the joins between the planks experience more pressure, and you run the risk of your flooring developing problems because of this. Not to mention it will be noisy to walk on too.

While some models of laminate floors come with built-in underlay, it’s well worth the investment if they don’t. You may experience higher initial costs, but it will add years to the life of your floor and will also help to insulate it, saving you money in the long run.

Contents

• Benefits of underlay for flooring
• Which kind of underlay is best for laminate flooring?
• Foam or fibreboard underlay?
• Considerations when it comes to flooring underlay

Benefits of underlay for flooring

Using underlay beneath flooring provides multiple benefits, improving both the durability and comfort of your floors. Here are the key advantages:

1. Increases Comfort & Softness

• Underlay adds a layer of cushioning, making floors feel softer underfoot.
• It helps reduce fatigue when standing for long periods, especially on hard flooring like laminate or wood.

2. Improves Sound Insulation

• Reduces impact noise (e.g., footsteps, dropped objects) and airborne noise (e.g., voices, TV).
• Essential for upper-floor rooms or apartments to minimise sound transfer.

3. Enhances Thermal Insulation & Energy Efficiency

• Provides an extra barrier against cold subfloors, keeping rooms warmer.
• Helps reduce heating costs, especially when paired with carpets or engineered wood.

4. Prolongs Flooring Lifespan

• Acts as a protective buffer, absorbing wear and tear from foot traffic.
• Reduces the risk of damage to the floor by preventing direct contact with the subfloor.

5. Helps with Subfloor Imperfections

• Smooths out minor irregularities in the subfloor, creating a more even surface.
• Prevents bumps and dips from affecting the appearance and durability of the flooring.

6. Provides Moisture Protection

• Some underlays include a moisture barrier, essential for installations over concrete or in damp-prone areas.
• Helps prevent warping and damage, especially for wood and laminate flooring.

7. Enhances Carpet Performance

• Improves carpet resilience, helping it maintain its shape and softness over time.
• Prevents premature flattening of carpet fibres, keeping it looking newer for longer.

8. Improves Adhesion & Stability

• Prevents flooring from shifting or creaking by providing extra grip.
• Helps with easier installation of laminate, engineered wood, and vinyl plank flooring.

Which kind of underlay is best for laminate flooring?

The type of underlay you choose can be dictated by the room in which the floor will be fitted. You can find underlayment for laminate flooring in a variety of different materials ranging from basic foam and sponge rubber to fibreboard. You’ll want to choose the underlay depending on your needs - some can help to soundproof, others will help to protect against dampness, and others will still help to even out irregular subfloors.

For lower-traffic areas where the chance of dampness is minimal, such as guest bedrooms or converted loft spaces, a basic foam underlay for laminate flooring may suffice. On the other hand, if it’s a high-traffic area, such as a living room or kitchen, a thicker underlay, or one that helps to soundproof, might be the best option.

Foam or fibreboard underlay?

Let’s go into more detail about the types of underlay and why you should choose each option.

When it comes to choosing fibre board underlay vs foam underlay, the choice might be simpler than you expected. Foam underlay comes in rolls and is a great entry-level choice for your new floors. It’s affordable and is ideal for laying over all types of subfloors. For concrete subfloors, make sure you opt for an underlay with a vapour barrier to prevent dampness from affecting your floors. The only con to choosing foam underlay is that the subfloor needs to be completely level; otherwise, you risk putting excess pressure on the joints in the laminate flooring.

Fibreboard, on the other hand, comes in packs of solid sheets and is usually much thicker than foam. It’s important to make sure your subfloor is as flat as possible before laying laminate flooring but that’s not always possible and this is where fibreboard has its benefits. Where subfloors have a small discrepancy of up to a couple of millimetres, you can lay fibreboard to help even it out. Fibreboard underlayment has the added benefit of offering extra insulation and soundproofing, so it is ideal for areas that see a lot of traffic in your home.

Considerations when it comes to flooring underlay

Consideration	Key Points	Best Underlay Options
Flooring Type	Different materials require specific underlay for optimal performance.	- Carpet: Felt, rubber - Laminate & Wood: Foam, rubber - Vinyl & LVT: Thin, firm underlay with moisture barrier - Underfloor Heating: Low TOG-rated underlay
Comfort & Cushioning	A softer underlay adds comfort underfoot and reduces fatigue.	- Carpet: Thick foam or felt - Hard flooring: Foam or rubber with cushioning properties
Soundproofing	Reduces noise from footsteps and impacts, especially in multi-floor homes or apartments.	- High-density rubber or foam for laminate, wood, and vinyl - Thick felt for carpets
Thermal Insulation	Helps retain warmth, improving energy efficiency. Important for cold floors or upper levels.	- Felt underlay (best for carpets) - Thermal foam underlay (for laminate, engineered wood)
Moisture Resistance	Essential when laying flooring over concrete subfloors or damp-prone areas.	- Damp-proof membrane (DPM) underlay - Moisture-resistant foam or rubber
Underfloor Heating Compatibility	Must allow heat to transfer efficiently while offering insulation.	- Low TOG-rated underlay to prevent heat blockage
Subfloor Condition	If the subfloor is uneven, a thicker underlay can help smooth out imperfections.	- Thick felt underlay (for carpets) - Foam underlay with built-in leveling (for laminate, wood)
Durability & Wear Resistance	Higher quality underlay lasts longer and prevents premature flooring wear.	- High-density rubber or PU foam for high-traffic areas
Ease of Installation	Some underlays come with self-adhesive backing or interlocking panels for easy fitting.	- Pre-cut foam underlay for DIY installations - Self-adhesive vinyl underlay for LVT flooring

Find the perfect flooring underlay at Leader today

We hope this guide has helped you work out what kind of underlayment you will need for your new laminate floors. Check out our full range of laminate flooring from our extensive collection as well. Make sure you check out our blog on the Most Common Mistakes Made When Laying Laminate Flooring to ensure the installation of your new floors goes perfectly.