Never skimp on the underlayment of the laminate
flooring tile or plank. This padded material usually
consists of cork, felt or foam. Buy the best quality you
can afford. Sufficient padding under the laminate
flooring installation not only dampens sound (which can
be hollow due to the floating floor concept), but helps to
create an extra bit of warmth, and is more comfortable
under your feet, especially in areas where you stand for
long periods.
Many manufacturers now pre-attach the underlayment
to the laminate flooring tile or plank. This is a convenient
option, but may be slightly less effective according to
the experts. In the case of Alloc Laminate Flooring, the
Alloc Silent System is used. The company claims that
this padding has a higher degree of efficiency than other comparable
underlayments. This system can even be ordered to come with under-floor heating! Keep in mind that you don't use underlayment on stairs.
You will also need a plastic moisture or vapor barrier film. This layer is positioned between the laminate flooring tile or plank and the underlayment, and adds moisture protection. The film is normally a polyethylene material. The main culprit causing damage to laminate floors is moisture. This leads to swelling of the core and buckling or blistering of the flooring planks.