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10 Best Laminate Underlayments 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

QuietWalk LV Luxury Vinyl, Laminate, or Wood Underlayment (Float, Glue, or Nail) w/Vapor Barrier- Sound Reduction, Compression Resistant, Moisture Protection 6'x60’ Roll (Covers 360 sf) QW360LV

The QuietWalk LV Underlayment is a solid choice for anyone looking to enhance their flooring experience with luxury vinyl, laminate, or wood floors. One of its standout features is the superior sound reduction offered by the recycled fibers, which can significantly minimize noise transfer between rooms, creating a quieter living environment. This makes it particularly beneficial for apartments or multi-story homes where noise can be a concern.

Another great aspect is its compression resistance. This underlayment effectively supports the seams of your flooring, ensuring that it won’t flatten over time even with consistent foot traffic. Additionally, it includes a moisture barrier that protects your floors from potential damage due to moisture vapor emissions, making it suitable for use over both concrete and wood subfloors.

Moreover, the product is environmentally friendly, made from recycled synthetic fibers without harmful VOCs, which is a plus for indoor air quality. It’s also compatible with in-floor radiant heating systems, allowing for even heat distribution while protecting your flooring from thermal shock.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Thickness
The underlayment is not too thick, preventing any flexing with LVP joints.
Sound Insulation
Installed in a second floor to avoid bothering neighbors downstairs, and it seems to significantly reduce noise transmission.
Compatibility with Flooring Type
Worked out great for our LVP installation, with just enough cushion to make walking on it pretty quiet.
#2

FLOORLOT BlueStep Underlayment with Moisture Barrier for Laminate and Wood Floors, (200 sq.ft Roll)

The FLOORLOT BlueStep Underlayment is designed for use with laminate, engineered wood, and solid hardwood floor systems, offering 200 square feet of coverage per roll. Its standout feature is the built-in moisture barrier that effectively protects floors from subfloor moisture, eliminating the need for additional films. This can be a significant advantage in maintaining the longevity of your flooring in moisture-prone areas.

The underlayment also offers standard sound absorption, helping to reduce noise from foot traffic and minimizing the hollow sound often associated with floating floors. This is particularly beneficial for households with active lifestyles or multi-story homes where noise management is crucial. At 3 millimeters thick, the cushioned foam not only provides thermal insulation but also smooths out minor imperfections and irregularities in the subfloor, enhancing comfort underfoot.

Installation is user-friendly, with the underlayment easy to roll out and secure using the included tape. However, it might not provide the highest level of sound insulation available on the market, making it less ideal for very noise-sensitive environments. Additionally, while it handles standard moisture well, extremely wet conditions might still require additional protection. The bright blue color might not matter once installed, but it's something to consider during the setup phase. The FLOORLOT BlueStep Underlayment is a solid choice for those looking to improve moisture protection, comfort, and noise reduction in their flooring, especially if ease of installation is a priority.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Sound Insulation
Helps reduce noise from foot traffic and eliminates squeaks in older subfloors.
#3

FLOORLOT GoldMax Premium Floor Underlayment - 200 sqft Roll - 3mm Thick - with Moisture Barrier

The FLOORLOT GoldMax Premium Floor Underlayment is a 3mm thick underlayment designed for use with laminate, engineered wood, and solid hardwood floor systems. One of its standout features is the built-in moisture barrier, which effectively protects floors from subfloor moisture without the need for additional films, making it a convenient choice for homeowners. The product also excels in sound absorption, reducing noise from foot traffic and minimizing the hollow sound often associated with floating floors, which can be particularly beneficial in active households and multi-story buildings.

It meets the IIC and STC ratings required for HOA and condo associations, ensuring it adheres to specific noise reduction standards. Installation is made easy with its roll-out design, included tape for connecting seams, and printed grid lines that help achieve accurate cuts, simplifying the process for users. At 3mm thickness, it may not provide as much cushioning compared to thicker options, which could be a consideration for those seeking maximum comfort underfoot.

With a coverage of 200 square feet per roll, it efficiently covers medium-sized areas but might require multiple rolls for larger projects. Its lightweight design at 4.79 pounds makes it easy to handle during installation. The FLOORLOT GoldMax Premium Floor Underlayment is a strong option for those looking for moisture protection and noise reduction in their flooring projects, with straightforward installation being an added bonus.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Moisture Barrier
Opting for the GoldMax Premium as an additional moisture barrier added an extra layer of cushion and proved to be an outstanding choice.
Sound Insulation
Easy to roll out and fit into place, this underlayment excels in smoothing minor deviations, resulting in a secure and quiet flooring experience.

Buying Guide for the Best Laminate Underlayments

Choosing the right laminate underlayment is crucial for ensuring the longevity and performance of your laminate flooring. Underlayment provides a smooth surface for the laminate to rest on, helps with sound absorption, and can offer moisture protection. When selecting an underlayment, consider the specific needs of your space, such as the type of subfloor, the level of moisture, and the amount of foot traffic. Understanding the key specifications will help you make an informed decision that best suits your requirements.
ThicknessThickness refers to how thick the underlayment material is. This is important because thicker underlayments can provide better sound insulation and cushioning underfoot. Underlayments typically range from 2mm to 6mm in thickness. For areas with high foot traffic or where extra comfort is desired, a thicker underlayment (4mm-6mm) is recommended. For standard residential use, a 2mm-3mm underlayment is usually sufficient. Consider your comfort needs and the level of sound insulation you require when choosing the thickness.
MaterialThe material of the underlayment can affect its performance in terms of sound absorption, moisture resistance, and durability. Common materials include foam, cork, and rubber. Foam is lightweight and provides basic cushioning and sound reduction, making it suitable for most residential applications. Cork offers superior sound insulation and is naturally resistant to mold and mildew, ideal for areas where moisture might be a concern. Rubber is highly durable and provides excellent sound insulation, making it suitable for high-traffic areas. Choose the material based on the specific needs of your space, such as moisture levels and desired sound insulation.
Moisture BarrierA moisture barrier is a layer within the underlayment that prevents moisture from seeping up from the subfloor into the laminate flooring. This is particularly important in areas prone to moisture, such as basements or bathrooms. Some underlayments come with an integrated moisture barrier, while others may require a separate moisture barrier to be installed. If you are installing laminate flooring in a moisture-prone area, look for underlayments with a built-in moisture barrier to protect your flooring from damage.
Sound InsulationSound insulation refers to the underlayment's ability to reduce noise transmission between floors. This is important in multi-story buildings or apartments where noise can be a concern. Underlayments with higher sound insulation ratings can significantly reduce the noise of footsteps and other impacts. Look for underlayments that are specifically designed for sound insulation if noise reduction is a priority for you. These products often have ratings such as IIC (Impact Insulation Class) and STC (Sound Transmission Class) that indicate their effectiveness.
Compatibility with Flooring TypeNot all underlayments are compatible with all types of laminate flooring. Some laminate floors have specific requirements for underlayment to ensure proper installation and performance. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for both the laminate flooring and the underlayment to ensure compatibility. This will help prevent issues such as improper fitting, reduced durability, or voiding of warranties. Make sure to choose an underlayment that is designed to work with your specific type of laminate flooring.

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