If you’re planning on soundproofing your floors any time soon, then you’re going to want to have access to the best possible acoustic underlayment. Those with laminate or hardwood floors will need to seek out specific types of products that are going to work well for those types of flooring. If you want to make sure that your home is as soundproof as possible, then you need to get the right stuff.
Today I am going to be examining the best acoustic underlayment options for laminate floors. There are actually a large number of different options to choose from. I’m going to go over some of the most popular ones and you’ll be able to see what makes them so special.
Read on to discover everything that you need to know about acoustic underlayment and make an informed purchasing decision.
What Acoustic Underlayment Is and How It Works
There are many people who want to save as much money as possible. so, it isn’t surprising that there are those who want to know if they truly need acoustic underlayment. If you wish to get the best results when soundproofing your floor, then you probably do need it.
An acoustic underlay is going to provide you with many different benefits. Firstly, it’s going to help fill your floor while also softening it up. The noises that are produced by footsteps will be reduced significantly. This will make your home that much more pleasant and noise-free.
Also, this underlayment provides you with a moisture-resistant layer that acts as a buffer between the flooring and the subflooring. You’re going to be far less likely to have problems with mold when you’re using an underlayment. There are even specific types that are made to be completely waterproof. Depending on the conditions where you live, this might wind up being imperative.
Finally, it’s going to make the top layer of your flooring more stable and supportive. Your floor will be more durable than it was before and you’ll be able to count on it to last a very long time. Underlayment can even protect your floor from shifting due to temperature fluctuations and other issues.
7 Best Acoustic Underlayments of 2021
1. FloorMuffler Acoustical Flooring Underlayment for Wood and Laminate
You’ll find that this underlayment is one of the most versatile options on the entire list. This is going to work out nicely for anyone who has hardwood floors and it’ll also work out well for those with laminate floors. This uses a foam base material and it also has a vapor barrier. You shouldn’t need to use another moisture barrier when you purchase this product.
This has been designed to be both mildew-resistant and moisture-resistant. It serves a double purpose as a layer of protection from mold and a method for soundproofing your floors. The fact that it manages to do both of these things so well makes it an easy product to recommend. Thankfully, it’s also very easy to use this underlayment.
Installing this underlayment should be pretty easy overall. It makes use of a simple peel-and-stick tape system. Just about anyone is going to be able to understand how to install this properly. Due to the ease of use and the overall quality of this underlayment, it’s going to be one that you’ll want to consider.
2. Feather Step 3-in-1 Silent Vapor Barrier Flooring Underlayment
This is one of the best acoustic underlayment options for laminate flooring. It’s also going to work really well for those who have floating floors. If you’re looking for an option that is going to be as easy to install as possible, then this is going to appeal to you. It makes use of a strip of adhesive, allowing the installation process to go very quickly.
You don’t need to be an expert at soundproofing or laying down flooring to be able to use this underlayment. It’s going to give you very good results with its rubberized foam base. It also makes use of a vapor barrier and it really does work nicely. This is going to make your floors very sturdy while also having good soundproofing qualities.
Many people who have invested in this product also make note of its good water-resistance. To add to this, you’ll find that this soundproofing underlayment is among the most affordable options on this list. You can get this at a very good price in order to keep your costs as low as possible. Consider going with this option if you have laminate flooring.
3. Quietwalk Plus All Flooring Underlayment with Vapor Barrier
If you’d prefer to purchase an underlayment that is going to be good to use no matter what type of flooring you have, then you can’t go wrong with this option. This has been designed to work with all flooring and it does a very good job. The only potential downside is that it is a bit pricier than many people would like. Regardless, this is going to be a good underlayment to use when you want your floors to be as quiet as possible.
Felt is used for the base material for this product. This means that it’s going to be very quiet while also being a very durable type of underlayment. This stuff won’t be easy to tear and it should last for a long time. The only real issue is that felt isn’t moisture-resistant in any way so it isn’t going to be an effective moisture barrier as some of the other options being presented on this list are.
Luckily, installation is even simpler than some of the methods that have been listed above. You just unroll this underlayment and lay it down where you need it to go. You don’t have to worry about sticking it or taping it down anywhere. This is going to be a very fast installation process and you’ll love being able to save a little bit of time.
4. STEICO Underlayment for Laminate and Hardwood (Sound Barrier)
This offering from STEICO is going to offer you some of the best performance around. When you want to control the sound in your home, then a high-quality sound insulation barrier is the way to go. This significantly reduces the noises coming from your floors. This underlayment has managed to pass the strictest acoustic tests in the U.S. and it really shows.
You’ll also like that this is a versatile type of underlayment in that it can be used for laminate, hardwood flooring, and vinyl flooring. It makes use of a cork underlayment instead of using a vapor barrier as most of the other products on this list do. This does mean that it isn’t water-resistant but it is capable of absorbing a lot of moisture without losing its acoustical properties.
Installation of this underlayment is going to involve cutting and placing the pieces in the right ways. This might wind up being more of a pain than the other installation styles that have been mentioned so far. It takes more effort but you don’t actually have to use any types of adhesives. You’ll just be placing the flooring once it has been cut and that will be that.
It’s also important to know that this is among the most expensive options on the list. It might not be as cost-effective as some of the other options. Regardless, this does provide you with great soundproofing.
5. Roberts 70-190A 70-190 Super Felt Insulating Underlayment
Here is another option that makes use of felt as the base material. As mentioned earlier, felt isn’t moisture-resistant in any way. This product here does feature a thin green vapor barrier to help alleviate moisture problems. It works pretty well and helps to make it more practical for many people.
This product has also been designed to work with most floors. You shouldn’t have any problems making use of this if you have hardwood floors and it should also work well for laminate flooring. It’s also a pretty affordable option overall. It might be just a little bit less expensive than average and it still performs brilliantly.
You’re going to be able to enjoy this underlayment for its sound-absorbing capabilities. It’s actually even good at absorbing heat, which can help to keep your home cooler during the summer months and warmer during the cold months. This is a very practical product that is easy to install. It uses a simple adhesive strip that you can attach to the underlayment.
6. Roberts Black Jack 2-in-1 Premium Flooring Underlayment
This product makes use of a closed-cell foam as its base material. The good thing about this is that it’s going to be very moisture-resistant. It should also be mold-resistant, giving you further peace of mind. If you have concerns about moisture and mold, then this underlayment is going to be among your best options.
You’ll be able to use this product to help soundproof either laminate or engineered wood flooring. The installation process isn’t overly difficult either. This one can be installed using a plastic overlap system with adhesive strips. It shouldn’t take too long to get the installation process completed and the results should be good.
The only potential problem with this underlayment is that it might not be as durable as some of the other high-quality options. You might wind up tearing this underlayment over time if you aren’t careful. Even so, this has proven to be a solid option that does an admirable job of reducing floor noises. The cushioning that it provides is also very nice.
7. Floorlot Blue Series Laminate & Hardwood Flooring Underlayment
Finally, you can take a look at this laminate flooring underlayment that includes a vapor barrier. This option might not stand up well against some of the pricier underlayment products on this list. The reason why this is worth your consideration is due to its overall cost-effective nature. This is among the most affordable options and it still manages to do a pretty good job.
This is designed to work well with laminate floors and it should do a good job with floating floors as well. It uses a foam base and it has a good vapor barrier too. This should work to make your underlayment mold-resistant and moisture-resistant. This can protect your flooring and ensure that you continue to enjoy the best possible results.
The installation process is very similar to the above product with its overlapping pieces. You’ll have access to peel-and-stick tape that can be used to lay the underlayment down and get things secure. Overall, this won’t be tough to install. It’s very similar to most other overlapping soundproofing underlayments that use a type of adhesive.
You should also know that the foam is thick enough that it will do an admirable job of reducing floor noises. You should notice that footstep sounds will be significantly softer than they were before you installed this underlayment. This makes it a worthwhile option to consider when you’re on a budget. You can reduce floor noises without being forced to break the bank.
Tips for Installing Your Acoustic Underlay
I’d also like to go ahead and provide some important installation tips just to make things a little bit easier for you. No matter which of these you decide to get, you’ll want to keep certain things in mind. For instance, you need to consider how much you’re going to need a moisture barrier. If your floors are in danger of having moisture problems, then this is going to be a key feature.
Not all of the products above have moisture barriers so be sure to choose an appropriate underlayment for your home. Also, be sure to take things slowly. Try not to rush things because you want to make sure that you’re laying the underlayment down exactly how you’re instructed to. Be sure to look at the provided instructions before getting started so that you don’t accidentally miss a step.
It’s also imperative to avoid overlapping the rows of underlayment unless you’ve specifically been instructed to. There might be some types of underlayment that will call for this but it isn’t going to be typical. You want to avoid overlapping so that you don’t keep the underlayment from working properly. You want to be able to enjoy the full soundproofing benefits of your underlayment so do your best to get things right.
If you aren’t fully confident in your skills, then try to choose one of the options that are easier to install. The peel-and-stick options are really easy to use. There are even a few options that don’t require adhesives so think about your own skill level before buying acoustic underlayment.
You may also like: Underfloor Insulation: What Are the Options and Costs?
In Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to protect your floors from moisture or you’re purely looking to soundproof your floors, you’ll find a good option listed above. I did my best to provide a wide range of products that cover all of your bases. You’ll be able to use these to meet various different needs and it shouldn’t be tough to find the right option for your home. You just have to take the time to consider what you should be looking for.
You’ll be able to find the right underlayment to meet your needs. Once you’ve made a purchasing decision, it shouldn’t be difficult to get everything installed. As long as you follow the included instructions to the letter, you shouldn’t encounter any problems along the way. Your floors will be significantly quieter than they were before and you’ll be able to enjoy living in a more peaceful home.
