11 Best Underlayments for Laminate Flooring to Reduce Noise & Maximizing Sound Insulation!

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You should correctly install laminate flooring on top of a quality underlayment. Because it is extremely important for providing sufficient support for the flooring and protecting it from getting damaged by moisture.

And if your house flooring is noisy as you walk on it, then you should invest in the best underlayment for laminate flooring to reduce noise. However, choosing the best soundproof underlayment can be difficult. 

That is why, in this article, we have listed the 11 best underlayments for laminate flooring for soundproofing the floor. Here, we have also discussed what features you should consider while shopping for the best laminate underlayment.   

So, let’s get started. 

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Buying Guide For Best Underlayments For Laminate Flooring

Choosing the appropriate underlayment generally depends on various factors. Here we have covered some of the most important factors that you should while selecting one. 

• Type Of Subfloor: What type of underlayment you should use mostly depends on the type of subfloor. If you want to use underlayment for a concrete subfloor or floor, then the underlayment would require a vapor barrier to prevent moisture from collecting between the subfloor and flooring. 

• Sound Absorption Properties: A good underlayment will provide a noise-reducing cushion between the surfaces of the subfloor and flooring to prevent annoying creaking sounds. And if you live in an apartment, then the sound absorption properties are a must to avoid conflict with your downstairs neighbors. Also, many apartment communities generally require underlayment that has a minimum sound rating.

• Thickness: Many people actually believe that a thick underlayment will provide more cushion. However, if you use a too-thick underlayment material, then it is a mistake with laminate floors. Because a thick underlayment will allow the floor to flex too much, which can cause the seams between the boards to separate. Also, if your laminate underlayment is too thin, then it can make your flooring noisy and hard.

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11 Best Underlayment For Laminate Flooring To Reduce Noise

Here we have listed the 11 best underlayment for laminate flooring based on the budget and reviews users had after their experience so that you won’t get confused and it can help you decide better on the right product.

1. Vapor Barrier 3 Mm Laminate Flooring Underlayment By Floorlot

It is a well-recommended underlayment for Laminate and Engineered floating floors as it has coverage of up to 200 sqft area per roll.

This includes moisture and vapor barrier and is 3 mm thick which is enough to adjust below the laminated floor covering to prepare a smooth base for the top floor covering.

It offers great insulation against the noise of footsteps and minimizes the hollow sound associated with floating floors.

It is easy to install using the peel & stick tape and overlay system which provide a strong seal and no additional films required for the vapor barrier.

Pros

• It increases thermal and sound insulation.
• It is easy to install. 
• This underlayment will protect your floors from harmful subfloor moisture. 

Cons

• The overall quality of this product is not that good. 

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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2. 3 In 1 Vapor Barrier Laminate Flooring Underlayment By Bestlaminate

If you are in the position of covering a large size area up to 1000 sqft then underlayment offered by the Bestlaminate will be the perfect cost-effective solution for you. 

It is a collection of 10 rolls in a bundle with each having a coverage area of up to 100 sqft per roll. The thickness of each roll would be around 2 mm.

It has a pre-attached tap to seal with each other against noise and create a strong vapor barrier.

It is mainly suited for both wood and cement subfloors but you should not use this under the concrete floor, because it is only a great solution for laminate and engineered floating floors.

It is able to handle up to 1/8 inch of tiny high points of the subfloor for leveling purposes, so do not expect much more than that.

You might compare this with first in thickness but as I said it is the best for its price and well known and tested by thousands of customers.

Pros

• It is perfect for wood and cement subfloors. 
• It is excellent for laminate & engineered floating floors
• This is really easy to install. 

Cons

• Customer service is not great.  

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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3. 3 In 1 Heavy Duty Foam Thick Underlayment By AMERIQUE

If you are covering a mid-range area of up to 200 sqft then this heavy-duty thick foam underlayment offered by AMERIQUE would be the best cost-effective solution for you. 

It is a pack of 2 rolls with each having coverage of up to 200 sqft of area, which means a total of 400 sqft with a bundle of 2 rolls.

It is 3 mm thick with closed foam technology for noise reduction purposes and a bright blue look for strong moisture or vapor barrier.

Like other underlayments, it has attached tape and anti-crush technology for excellent performance and long life.

It is perfect for wood, bamboo, floating, and laminate flooring with mold and moisture protection.

Pros

• It comes with mold and moisture protection and sound absorption properties. 
• It features anti-crush technology for excellent performance and long life. 
• This underlayment is perfect for wood, bamboo, and laminate floors. 

Cons

• The overall quality of this product is not that good. 

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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4. First Step 630-Square Foot Roll Underlayment By Roberts

From the name itself, it suggests a total coverage of around 630 sqft which is well enough for the laminated engineered hardwood floating floors.

It has a cushioning styrofoam bed in between the plastic top and bottom layer of air circulation, which causes it to seal out moisture to protect the flooring.

It comes with an attached adhesive strip and 4″ overlap film which is obviously great for sealing in between the multiple rolls.

They also listed the Sound transmission class (STC) of around 67 which is more than the required 52 for any soundproof material and the impact insulation class (IIC) of 68, which is too good.

It is good to use for the subfloor levelness up to minor correction and reduce noise to create a peaceful ambiance.

Pros

• This underlayment is designed to use under floating laminate and engineered wood floorings. 
• It is extremely effective for sound reduction. 
• It can even help level minor sub-floor corrections. 

Cons

• The adhesive is not really good.

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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5. QuietWalk Underlayment For Laminated Flooring With Attached Vapor Barrier 

It is well-suited to use with laminate, floating engineered, and Luxury Vinyl Plank of 5 mm and thicker.

It is made of recycled fiber which absorbs most of the sound and blocks noise to prevent it from traveling to the other room areas.

Quietwalk underlayment has a compression-resistant dense recycled fiber structure that supports a click-together mechanism to uphold the pressure of the overlying floor.

It has an attached vapor barrier that protects the floor from harmful moisture and allows heat to permeate evenly while protecting the floor covering from thermal shock.

Pros

• It has a superior sound reduction. 
• It features moisture protection properties. 
• This is really easy to install. 

Cons

• The overall quality of this product is not that good. 

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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6. FloorMuffler Ultra Seal Underlayment 300SF

FloorMuffler Ultra Seal Underlayment 300 SF is completely recyclable, and it provides various installation techniques to improve your floor’s flexibility. 

Also, it uses closed-cell polypropylene foam to achieve excellent noise absorption and features a great barrier to prevent moisture accumulation, as that can cause the growth of mold and mildew.

This underlayment is relatively thinner than its competitors, however, it is actually more effective at noise absorption. Also, it has higher STC and IIC ratings than its competitors. 

If you want an underlayment for laminate flooring that offers great noise reduction at a reasonable price, then the FloorMuffler 300SF Ultra Seal can be the perfect option for you. 

Pros

• It features excellent acoustic protection. 
• Also, this underlayment provides moisture control. 
• It is perfect for use under laminate, engineered, and solid hardwood flooring. 

Cons

• Sometimes it can be difficult to install. 

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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7. Roberts Super Felt Cushion Underlayment Roll For Laminate Flooring

If you have engineered or laminate flooring, then you can consider the Roberts Super Felt Cushion Underlayment. Also, you can install it on a concrete floor to provide excellent insulative capabilities. 

And if you need to convert a garage to a room, then this underlayment will provide you with amazing results. Also, it has a plastic film for extra moisture protection. 

This underlayment has an STC rating of 66 and an IIC rating of 67. So, it is effective in sound absorption and reduction. 

Also, Roberts Super Felt Cushion Underlayment is dense and manufactured from recycled felt. However, you need to carefully handle the moisture barrier unless it can easily tear down.

Pros

• It is made for use with engineered wood and laminate flooring
• It provides cushion over concrete and wooden subfloors. 
• This underlayment features excellent sound absorption and reduction properties.  

Cons

• It might not work properly with vinyl planking.

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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8. ROBERTS 100 sq. ft. Roll Serenity Foam Laminate Underlayment

If you have homes with wooden subfloors, then a moisture barrier might not be required. It makes this foam underlayment the perfect option. 

This product comes in 100-square-foot rolls and it uses polyethylene foam to add more cushioning and smooth out minor imperfections in the subfloor to provide you with more even laminate flooring installation. 

And it can be used for radiant heated floors and will also work with concrete floors when combined with a vapor barrier.

Also, this foam underlayment is available in a reasonable price range. However, you should remember that it does not include built-in adhesive strips that are really helpful and make other products extremely easy to install. 

Pros

• It is perfect for use under laminate and engineered wood flooring. 
• It can also be used for radiant-heated floors. 
• This underlayment can also work with concrete floors with recommended moisture barriers.  

Cons

• The overall quality of this product is not that good. 

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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9. QEP 72003Q 6mm, 4-Foot x 25-Foot Cork Underlayment

This cork underlayment can be used as an outstanding barrier for sound due to its ample thickness and it can also smooth out imperfections in the subfloor. 

You should remember that a cork underlayment should be thicker than felt to provide sufficient cushioning. However, as it is not as soft as felt, its extra thickness will still provide the support a floating floor needs.  

This underlayment is 6 mm thick and has an STC rating of 61, which makes it perfect for upper floors and lower floors.

It can also be used as an effective insulator, as it can help to keep the floor warm in the winter and prevent heat loss through the floor.

Pros

• It is easy to install.  
• It will reduce thermal transmission. 
• This underlayment can increase the effectiveness of floor heating systems. 

Cons

• The product might be delivered damaged or with pieces missing.

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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10. GoldMax Premium Underlayment For Laminate Floors By Floorlot

Floorlot GoldMax Flooring Underlayment comes with excellent moisture protection properties. 

It will protect your floors from harmful subfloor moisture with its built-in moisture-blocking film. So, no additional films are required. 

It also features excellent sound absorption and it will help to reduce sounds from foot traffic. Also, this underlayment reduces noise in busy households. It can also dampen the hollow sound associated with floating floors.

And it comes with an easy installation feature, as it is easy to roll out and you can connect seams with included tape. 

Pros

• It can be used for laminate, engineered wood, and solid hardwood floor systems. 
• It is easy to install. 
• This underlayment provides excellent moisture protection. 

Cons

• Sometimes the adhesive tape might not work properly. 

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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11. Roberts Super Felt Insulating Underlayment

Roberts Super Felt Insulating Underlayment has the sound-absorbing properties that you would want from your acoustic underlayment. 

However, you need to handle the vapor or moisture barrier with care as some users reported that it is easy to tear down.

It is made from recycled fibers and we would recommend you this product if the price is the most important factor for your flooring project. Because the price per square foot is almost 20% cheaper than most of its competitors in the market. 

Pros

• It is made from recycled fibers. 
• It can correct minor subfloor imperfections. 
• This underlayment provides good value for money. 

Cons

• It is difficult to cut. 

Last updated on 2023-10-03/Affiliate Links/ Images from Amazon

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Why You Need Underlayment For Laminate Flooring

The main reason behind structure-born noise is the flooring due to the impact of any object or footsteps.

However, this can be overcome using the underlayment as it not only offers a smooth surface over an uneven subfloor for the laminated floor covering but it can also help to create insulation for the noise and it is even resistive to moisture.

Underlayment is hidden just below the floor covering and can not be seen from the floor covering which causes it to increase the mass of the floor covering and a strong barrier to the noise.

It is most recommended to use the underlayment for the laminated flooring and if you are living in an apartment or between the existing floors, then you must use it to prevent noise from traveling to the people living below your apartment. 

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Wrap Up On Best Underlayment For Laminate Flooring To Reduce Noise

First, you should know that all the laminated flooring will definitely need underlayment. However, it will depend on what size or area you want to cover and the price and budget of your flooring project. 

Also, the underlayment must have a vapor or moisture barrier and strong insulation against noise. And the underlayments listed above can fulfill your needs as they all have higher STC and IIC values.  

We hope that our detailed guide has helped you to find out the best underlayment for laminate flooring to reduce noise. If you have any questions regarding this topic, please let us know in the comments below. 

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FAQ: Best Underlayment For Laminate Flooring To Reduce Noise

People have many queries regarding which underlayment they should use for laminate flooring. Here we have tried to give appropriate answers to some of their questions in the FAQ section of this article.