Underlayment is important for hardwood flooring
Floor coverings of any type generally need some kind of material between the covering and the surface beneath them. This practice is perhaps more recognized in carpet installations, where a rubberized padding is first laid on slab or plywood subfloors to provide cushioning and uniformity in the lay of the carpet. Yet the use of materials between hardwood flooring and subflooring (known as underlayment) is a common practice, and serves many purposes.
Underlayment Purposes
Different types of subflooring material present potential problems with underlayment. Some problems are minor and cosmetic, while others can be more threatening to the structural integrity of hardwood flooring. Moisture is one serious problem that arises. Hardwood flooring placed over porous foundation surfaces will trap moisture, eventually leading to mold and fungus growth. Unevenness of the subfloor surface results in a less serious but aesthetically unappealing condition. Acoustic problems are common with hardwood flooring, and the underlayment is often used to defeat echoing from footsteps.
Floating Underlayment
Laminate and "engineered" floor coverings both require what is known as a floating underlayment. This means that the underlayment does not have to be attached to the subflooring. Although laminate flooring is only partially made from hardwood, "engineered" floor coverings are more like solid hardwood flooring and have all the underlayment requirements that traditional hardwood floors have.
Moisture Barriers
Concrete slabs are a common type of subflooring. Although concrete provides a strong, resilient foundation, it presents a possibility of moisture being trapped between the slab and the floor covering. Plywood flooring over crawl spaces and basements also present this possibility, and some type of vapor barrier must be included in the underlayment process. This can consist of plastic sheathing rated at 6mm thick.
Traditional and Comtemporary Hardwood Underlayment
In the past, materials such as plywood and OSB (oriented strand board) have traditionally been used for hardwood underlayment. However, moisture can create problems with curling of edges and swelling if these materials are subjected to high humidity or vapor from under the subfloor. A newer product made from gypsum fibers has water-resistant properties as well as smoothness and hardness. These three factors are the most common problems with underlayment, and any material that resists their effects will provide a better surface for hardwood flooring.
Cork Underlayment
Cork is one underlayment material that provides an overall quality for hardwood flooring needs. Although slightly more expensive, cork resists warping and deterioration from moisture and general wear. Another advantage of corkboard is that it's environmentally friendly. Recycling cork is one of the "greener" options in hardwood flooring underlayment.
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