We often get asked the question about whether underlayment is necessary underneath your Calgary home?s laminate. Whether the motive is to look for an area to shave a few dollars off of the total cost or because you are looking to simplify the installation, we believe that any time you invest in a flooring product, you should install it in such a way that it will give you the best life and performance possible. And laminate flooring is no exception to the rule.
What does underlayment do?
Different types of underlayment are designed for different needs and different purposes. For instance, the underlayment you put over a concrete floor needs to perform a slightly different function than the underlayment that is put over a wood subfloor. Ultimately, underlayment does three things: it supports the floating laminate floor, protects the underside of the laminate from moisture, and it adds a degree of insulation from both temperature and sound.
As a floating floor, the integrity of the joints is influenced by the flatness of your subfloor. The reality is that not all floors are perfectly level or perfectly even. A thin foam underlayment can compensate for these slight imperfections so that your laminate floor will function optimally. Concrete floors in basements often permit moisture to work upwards through the concrete. Thus, underlayment designed for basements has a moisture barrier built into it to seal off the laminate from the moisture underneath. Some also include an antimicrobial treatment, which helps prevent any mildew in areas where moisture might be more prevalent.
Finally, underlayment is also designed to absorb some of the sound made by footfalls on the laminate surface. This has the secondary benefit of helping to insulate your floor from cold temperatures. Some flooring products have the underlayment already built into the material, but it is always important to ensure that your underlayment meets your needs to get optimum life from your flooring.
Your Calgary flooring experts
At Westvalley Carpet & Flooring, we want you to be fully satisfied with your new flooring and recognize that won?t be the case if you cut corners on its installation. Having the right underlayment for the right job is one of those essential areas. If you are looking for laminate flooring in Calgary, give us a call or stop by our showroom; we would be happy to walk you through our showroom. We serve the greater North Calgary, South Calgary, and Westvalley Central, AB areas. When it comes to laminate in Calgary, AB flooring and your satisfaction are our twin passions.
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