3 Reasons Foam Is Ideal Underlayment Under Laminate Flooring

From the house you live in to the place you work, foam has all kinds of purposes, whether it is insulation, padding, or something else. With laminate flooring becoming such a prevalent type of flooring in residential settings, it is a good idea to get familiar with one of the components of this flooring system that makes laminate so great: foam underlayment. Before each piece of laminate is placed, a strip of thin foam is rolled out underneath, but why is that the case? Here is a look at some of the reasons foam is an ideal underlayment for laminate flooring. 

Foam makes an excellent form of insulation between the laminate and subfloor. 

Laminate is not as thick as hardwood slats that are used in traditional wood flooring. Therefore, it is not quite as insulating either. To combat this problem, foam steps up to the plate as the divider between the laminate flooring strips and the subfloor beneath. The foam's lightweight-but-complex interior wards off drafts and traps heat particles that may otherwise seep through the subfloor and create a room that is not as energy-efficient as you would like. 

Foam provides a uniform layer for even installation of the laminate flooring. 

When the foam product used as underlayment is placed beneath the laminate flooring, it acts as a protective barrier between the pieces of laminate and the subfloor and all of its flaws. The subfloor, or the underlying flooring material underneath the laminate, is oftentimes a rough surface. Even though the laminate will cover the rough surface of whatever flooring is beneath, any small discrepancies can change the way the laminate lays in place. Therefore, even small raised areas, such as nails or splinters, can prevent a uniform installation of the laminate. The foam creates a smooth, level layer, so the end result with the laminate over it will be perfectly level. 

Foam helps protect the life of the laminate flooring for the long term. 

Laminate flooring is fairly resilient, but it is nowhere near as resilient as hardwood. Therefore, even too much pressure in areas where there is something protruding or applying pressure from beneath a strip of the laminate can cause damage, such as cracks and bumps. The foam acts as a layer of protection for the underside of the laminate, which helps protect the life of the flooring for the long term, even with everyday traffic, heavy furniture, and typical household occurrences. 

Contact a residential flooring business for more help.