When it comes to flooring, the subfloor is an essential component. It provides a solid foundation for the flooring material and helps to ensure that the flooring is properly installed and will last for years to come. There are a variety of flooring underlayment options available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most basic type of subfloor is foam.
It is usually made of polyethylene or polypropylene and is ideal for plywood subfloors. Polypropylene does not have a vapor barrier, making it a great choice for plywood subfloors. Tile floors are still a popular choice, especially for bathrooms, entryways, and other areas where a water-resistant surface is desired. The impressive variety of tile styles, shapes, and colors allows you to customize your design.
The tile base must provide a solid support so that the tile and grout do not crack when stepped on. However, it must also be somewhat flexible to absorb movement and any expansion or contraction that occurs with changes in temperature and humidity. Self-leveling subfloors are an excellent solution for installing floors on concrete in poor condition. This concrete product mixes very finely and is easily poured. Like any liquid, its surface will be leveled.
This makes it an ideal platform for additional subfloors such as carpet padding, DITRA, or plywood. Felt is another popular type of hardwood subfloor. It provides basic moisture resistance and sound absorption. You can choose heavier layers of black felt for greater insulation, sound absorption, moisture resistance, and cushioning. Rubber is another option worth considering when choosing the best subfloor option for your new floors.
It reduces friction between the floor and the subfloor as the wood naturally expands and contracts with the seasons. Every floor finishing material requires a specifically designed undercoat to optimize its appearance, performance, and durability. In kitchens, keep in mind that a thicker floor covering will affect the height of the opening from the top of the floor to the bottom of the countertop, which could make it difficult to remove and replace appliances. An additional advantage of self-leveling subfloors is that they work well with underfloor heating systems. Very often carpets are placed on existing hard floors without any type of subfloor other than carpet padding. Placing a layer of foam or cork on a rigid base can be an effective cushion for reducing sound and making laminate floors sound and feel less hollow when stepped on. If you install new floors in a room on the second floor or higher, the additional absorption of sound can prevent your steps from resonating throughout the building.
Unlike the subfloor which is part of the structure and structure of a house, the underlayment mainly serves to provide a flat and smooth surface that allows an easy and attractive installation of the surface pavement.
