Underlayment Flooring Buyers Guide
In a multi-story building, the foundational pillars that you can’t see provide the required level of stability. Similarly, some types of flooring require a hidden layer to deliver maximum comfort and support, which is why floor underlayment is one of the most popular products we offer at Greatmats. Subfloor underlayment can consist of rubber, plastic, foam, or cork materials that provide support for turf, vinyl, carpet, and laminate floors. Different types of underlayment can provide comfort, sound absorption, or a thermal layer against cold concrete. The underlay may be out of sight and out of mind once you install the main floor, but it’s always working for your benefit.
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Ideas Before You Buy Floor Underlayment
Tips & considerations for purchasing Underlayment Flooring:
The following blogs offer tips on what aspects to look for in underlayment flooring before making a purchase. Wherever you plan to use this flooring, these are all important things to learn before making your final decision.- Subfloor underlayment can reduce the noise generated by people walking across firm styles of flooring, such as ceramic tile, vinyl rolls, or hardwood planks. Learn More: How Does Sound Floor Underlayment Work?
- Drainage mat products help move water toward a floor drain on a flat or uneven subfloor. They consist of durable materials, like rubber and PVC plastic, that allow them to continue working even in busy areas with constant dampness. Learn More: What Is a Drainage Mat Made From?
- When you want an option for reducing the soreness and joint pressure that comes from workouts or dance practice on firm floors, consider adding a floating sprung floor underneath the workout floor or dance tiles. Learn More: What Is a Sprung Floor?
Top 10 Questions About Subfloor Underlayment
If you ever have questions about how to use your various subfloor options, our underlayment guide has many of the answers you need.- What's the Best Rubber Underlayment for Floors? Rubber subfloor thickness measurements of 1/2-inch or greater are necessary for weightlifting and other heavy-duty workouts. Thin rubber is a popular pick for use underneath general athletic flooring.
- What's the Best Underlay for Laminate Flooring? The best underlay for laminate is usually thin rubber or cork. Some laminate products already have a foam layer attached to the back.
- Do You Need an Underlayment for Vinyl Plank Flooring? Vinyl plank flooring works nicely with an underlayment layer installed. It gives the vinyl a more comfortable feel, dampens sound, and offers a thermal barrier.
- How Do You Install Underlayment for Vinyl Flooring? Installing subfloor underlayment under vinyl involves using carpet tape and a utility knife or scissors to cut the subfloor to fit the desired area.
- What Kind of Padding Do You Put Under Gym Turf? To add padding under synthetic turf, you can use an underlayment consisting of rubber or foam to add cushioning, shock absorption, and noise suppression.
- Do MMA Mats Need an Underlayment? Some types of MMA mats can benefit from certain types of subfloor vs. underlayment products, while others do not need them. If you want maximum fall protection, add subfloor underlayment products.
- Where Can I Use Turf Drainage Tiles? Turf drainage tiles are frequently used in areas like decks, patios, roof patios, balconies, courtyards, pool decks, playgrounds, pet care facilities, sports facilities, and golf facilities.
- What Are the Benefits of Using Drainage Underlayment Tiles Under Turf? Some of the benefits of using drainage tiles under turf include water removal, reduced odor, easier cleaning, and better stability and footing for those using the turf.
- What Are the Best Cork Flooring Options? The best cork underlayment options are those consisting of cork alone or a cork and rubber blend. When using a cork product alone, you receive a 100% natural and sustainable product, while many of our rubber-based materials use recycled rubber.
- How Do I Soften a Hard Dance Floor? Subfloor tiles and underlayment can create cushioning under a firm dance floor that protects the lower body joints of the dancers from repetitive stress injuries.
Best Underlayment Flooring Products
Sport Plus Designer Foam Tile, 10 mm x 2x2 Ft.
Our Sport Plus Designer Foam Tile has a puzzle-style edge that makes it easy to install without requiring adhesive. These subfloor tiles look great, so you can use them as a primary floor or an underlayment that provides cushioning under another floor.
Court Floor Tile Flat Top, 5/8 Inch x 1x1 Ft.
When you need a dance subfloor that has the firmness to go over the top of low-pile carpet or concrete, our Court Floor Tile Flat Top product is a popular choice. The snap-together tiles deliver a secure connection without needing adhesive.
Cork Underlayment, 12 mm x 2x3 Ft.
With 12 mm (or about 1/2 inch) of thickness in our Cork Underlayment tiles, they serve as an ideal option for residential or commercial floors that require thick and durable underlayment options. They work for either dry-lay or glue-down installations.
Rubber Floor Underlayment, 2 mm x 4x50 Ft. Roll
If you are installing athletic flooring tiles, our Rubber Floor Underlayment roll is the ideal choice. Even though it is extremely thin, it adds a beneficial cushioning layer between the concrete subfloor and the tiles.
TurfShok Rubber Underlay, 8 mm x 4 Ft. Wide
Whether you have an indoor or outdoor artificial turf installation, our TurfShok Rubber Underlay roll works perfectly to reduce the force of impacts from many different kinds of athletic workouts while also allowing water to drain away.
Elastic Underlayment, 4.5 mm x 5.25x98.4 Ft.
Even with only 4.5 mm (or about 1/6 inch) of thickness, our Elastic Underlayment delivers a much higher level of cushioning for dance floors than you might expect. It can increase step elasticity benefits, too.
Floor Underlayment Customer Installations
Greatmats Customer, Chen
When Greatmats customer Chen wanted to create a dance floor for his daughter to practice at home in a room with carpeting, he needed a firm subfloor that would not buckle over the soft carpet. Greatmats’ flooring experts helped him by suggesting he use our interlocking Court Floor Tile product, which was easy to install and yielded the necessary stability.
Dance Subfloor Over Carpet:Court Floor Tile Flat Top
Greatmats Customer, Tony “Tacogolf”
When Greatmats customer Tony “Tacogolf” wanted to create a DIY putting green and golf simulator in his garage, he needed a cushioned subfloor between the hard concrete and the artificial turf top layer. Our interlocking martial arts mats delivered the perfect mix of firmness and cushioning.
Golf Simulator Subfloor: Interlocking Jiu Jitsu Mats
St. Paul Ballet
When doing performances at remote locations, the St. Paul Ballet called Greatmats for a portable subfloor that had the versatility to match any kind of flooring situation the dancers would find on the road. Our Subfloor Elite product has firm plastic tiles and a cushioned rubber base layer that the ballet company could use in tandem.
Thick Dance Subfloor:Dance Studio Subfloor Elite
Subfloor Underlayment Installation & Maintenance Videos
How to Cut Foam Mats in 4 Easy Steps
How To Clean EVA Foam Mats
How to Install Pro Subfloor Dance Studio Elite