When Does Your Hardwood Floor Need an Underlayment?

Installing hardwood floors or engineered hardwood floors on your own requires a lot of research and decision-making. Underlayment is one such choice. You might have never heard of underlayment before if this is your first time DIY flooring.

However, there’s a popular question people love to ask “Does a hardwood floor need an underlayment?” A short answer to this question is most of the time; you would need to underlay your solid hardwood flooring. 

If you have plywood laid as a base for your floor, and the plywood is smooth without any rough edges. Getting an underlayment for your flooring might not be compulsory. When comparing plywood to solid wood, the former has a greater moisture resistance, bringing about an even surface. 

Benefits Underlayment for a Hardwood Floor.

Hardwood floors don't require underlayment at all times. However, there are always advantages to using it. Underlayment provides greater stability and durability, which is one of the most important reasons to install it. Here are some other benefits:

Furthermore, your hardwood floor will need an underlayment if you’re using floating floors. However, you should be extra careful in protecting your hardwood from water or moisture. Whether your floor is properly installed or taken care of doesn't matter.

Water can go under your floor if there is any space between your hardwood planks. And after the water has penetrated your floor, it can cause damage.

There’s a perfect underlayment that helps take in sound waves from the air and prevent the waves from rebounding with force and energy around the house. 

A further disadvantage of solid hardwood flooring is that it's a solid surface that is sometimes cold and not particularly comfortable to walk or stand on for extended periods. Therefore, the problem may be magnified if you have selected a hardwood floor known for its durability and longevity.

Thus, you should invest in underlayment in these instances so that you can walk on surfaces unprotected by rugs on chilly winter nights and whenever you step on areas uncovered by rugs. The underlayment protects the hardwood floor from intense temperature variations and cushions your feet when you walk on it.

Hardwood Flooring Companies in Tampa

Nature Wood Floors has been in the hardwood flooring industry for quite some time. Through the years, we’ve gathered the needed knowledge and expertise. Are you ready to get underlayment for your solid hardwood flooring? Call or contact us today.