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Ensure a smooth, quiet, and long-lasting flooring installation with high-quality floor underlay. Also known as flooring underlayment, this essential layer provides support, sound reduction, and moisture protection for a wide range of flooring types—including laminate, vinyl, engineered hardwood, and more. We carry a variety of underlay materials designed to enhance comfort underfoot, improve insulation, and extend the life of your floors. Whether you need basic foam underlay for a simple install or premium acoustic and moisture-barrier options for more demanding applications, we’ve got you covered. As a proudly Canadian retailer with locally owned stores, Windsor Plywood is committed to helping DIYers, contractors, and homeowners find the right products for every job. Visit your local store to explore our full selection of flooring underlay and get expert advice to ensure your floors perform beautifully for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is flooring underlayment and why do I need it?
Underlayment is a thin layer of material installed between the subfloor and the finished flooring. It provides sound absorption to reduce impact noise between floors, a moisture barrier against subfloor vapour, minor subfloor irregularity compensation, and thermal insulation underfoot. Most floating floors require underlayment to perform correctly.
What type of underlayment do I need for LVP flooring?
Many LVP products come with underlayment pre-attached to the bottom of the plank. If your LVP does not include underlayment, use a thin 1mm to 2mm foam or cork underlayment without a separate moisture barrier, as most LVP has its own moisture resistance built in. Thick underlayment can cause LVP click joints to flex and fail over time.
What type of underlayment works best for laminate flooring?
For laminate over concrete, use a combination underlayment with an integrated vapour barrier to block moisture from the slab. Over wood subfloors, a standard foam or cork underlayment without a vapour barrier is appropriate. Cork underlayment provides better sound absorption than foam and is a popular choice for above-grade laminate installations.
Does underlayment affect the height of my finished floor?
Yes. Underlayment adds between 1mm and 6mm to the finished floor height depending on the product. This matters at door clearances, thresholds, and transitions to adjacent flooring. Measure your existing door clearance before selecting underlayment thickness, particularly in retrofit situations where doors may already be close to the floor.
Can I use the same underlayment for all flooring types?
No. Underlayment is product-specific. Using too thick an underlayment under LVP compromises the locking joint. Using underlayment without a vapour barrier over concrete introduces moisture risk under laminate. Always check the flooring manufacturer's underlayment specification before purchasing, as using the wrong product can void the flooring warranty.