With so many people installing laminate and vinylflooring (Pergo, Trafficmaster and other brands), underlayment is often brought up. 
Is it worth it to spend more for better quality underlayment when installing a laminate floor?
We feel that underlayment quality does have an affect on the overall feel of the laminate flooring. It also provides a sound barrier.
Over the next few days I am going to take some time and discuss laminate flooring underlayment and installation. I will go into some details about a few different quality levels of various types of underlayment and give some advice on how to choose the best underlayment for your life. This is an important decision as it will make your quality of life or wreck it.
Here are the Underlayment Reviews:
1. Moisturebloc Film
2. Soundbloc Underlay Foam
3. SilentStep Premium Underlayment
4. SoftSeal Foam Film
5. More Flooring and Installation Reviews coming
Does Vinyl flooring need underlayment?
Vinyl planks and vinyl tiles are not wood, and they’re not laminate – they’re vinyl, thus the name. Seems pretty obvious, but what it means is that you can’t use products best suited for wood or laminate and expect the same results with vinyl. In fact, you generally can’t use underlay products designed for wood, laminate or tile.
Why People Use Underlayment
People turn to underlayment for comfort and reduction of both sound and moisture. Comfort may seem like a strange thing to worry about with flooring, but walking on concrete and hard surfaces can be tough on the body. For some people, a good underlayment can make a big difference in how it feels to be on their feet all day.
Even among varying vinyl flooring products, you’ll find that the requirements are different. One may recommend underlayment while another may actually void its warranty if you use underlayment. It’s really critical that you look at the flooring product you like and follow what it requires for underlayment.
Barbara Belle says
Or, you can choose vinyl laminate instead and save a lot of money on underlayment. For example, the TrafficMaster Allure or Metroflor Konecto. The vinyl material is much cheaper than laminate as well.