What's Under the Floor Matters

Hard Surface Underlayment

Wood-look laminate planks laid over blue foam underlayment during a flooring installation

What Underlayment Does

  • Moisture protection

    Concrete subfloors release moisture vapor as they age, which can damage hard-surface flooring over time. A moisture-barrier underlayment blocks that vapor from reaching the floor. Even choosing the right glue makes a difference and in cases such as engineered hardwood, choosing a glue that creates a moisture barrier is crucial.

  • Sound dampening

    Hard-surface floors transmit footstep noise more than carpet. The right underlayment significantly reduces both the impact sound (footsteps) and airborne sound (voices, TV) that pass through to rooms below.

    Learn More About Sound Ratings For Underlayments and Floors

  • Comfort and warmth

    A quality underlayment adds a slight cushion that makes hard surfaces feel less rigid underfoot, particularly over concrete. It also acts as a thermal barrier, keeping floors warmer over cold subfloors.

Different Floors, Different Underlayments

  • Click-Lock LVP

    Many premium LVP products come with an attached pad as the underlayment. Even these floors require an additional layer of underlayment when installed over concrete to act as a moisture barrier. We still recommend an underlayment for any LVP that does not have an attached pad.

  • Laminate

    Premium laminates often have attached pad as the underlayment, but many others still require a foam underlayment to help reduce sound. Laminate is known for a hollow sound underfoot due to its construction, and the underlayment helps a lot to reduce that sound transmission. When installing over concrete an underlayment with a moisture barrier is required.

  • Engineered Hardwood

    When floating engineered hardwood, underlayment is required. We should note floating hardwood is not the best installation method; nail or glue down is more secure. Underlayment can help make the floor feel softer underfoot, and when installed over concrete a moisture barrier is necessary.

  • Glue-Down LVP and Hardwood

    Generally don't use traditional underlayment; the adhesive fills that role. S&G uses a premium glue that acts as underlayment and a moisture barrier for a secure installation.
Light oak plank flooring in sunlight as two people sit wrapping packages with twine, scissors, and tape

Premium Underlayment for Multi-Story Homes

If you're installing hard-surface flooring on an upper floor (over occupied space below), spending more on a sound-dampening underlayment is one of the best value upgrades in the entire installation. Premium underlayments can reduce footstep sound transmission by 50% or more compared to basic underlayments.

Get Started

Visit Us In Store

Walk through full-size installations, see and feel the products in person, and take samples home to compare against your space.

Find Your Nearest Showroom

Shop at Home

Our team brings samples in the styles and colors you're considering, laser-measures your space, and leaves you with a written estimate.

Schedule Your Free In-Home Estimate