I am in the process of buying solid hardwood maple flooring 2 1 4 with 3 4 thickness.
Is faom underlayment necessary for solid hardwood flooring.
While rosin and tar paper are common options aquabar b underlayment from fortifiber is a top option.
It also helps to reduce noise and reduces friction during the natural expansion and contraction of the floor.
Foam offers a few advantages for hardwood floors.
When installing hardwood choose a floor underlayment that provides a smooth surface over the subfloor.
Proper underlayment for solid hardwood flooring q.
The underlayment provides many benefits including moisture protection sound and thermal insulation and a cushion to make the floor more comfortable to walk on.
If you use one it is no harm but you don t really need it.
With a staple down or nail down installation over a wood subfloor using solid flooring or engineered flooring it is recommended that an underlayment of 15lb.
Find an underlayment material that offers the protective properties you need at a price you can afford.
The felt paper is a good option for hardwood but since you re nailing the hardwood down you do not need a foam underlayment.
This makes the standard underlayment choice quite acceptable.
Foam underlayment comes in sheets or rolls and easy to install.
99 of the time the answer is no.
If your installing natural hardwood floors felt paper prevents any moisture that may migrate from below protects the hardwood floor from any imperfections in the subfloor and is sound deadening.
An underlayment is a necessity for any wood floor installation even on a plywood subfloor.
You only need to worry about the moisture barrier when it comes to a concrete subfloor so you do not need one in this case.
The warranty may require it.
Regardless of whether you plan to install solid hardwood or engineered hardwood prepping the subfloor and underlayment often takes more time than laying down the actual wood.
Hi ryan thanks for the question.
I have been researching the web and have found numerous opinions pros and cons on the use of a proper underlayment.
Black felt paper is rolled out over the wood subfloor prior to installing the new floor.
This underlayment for hardwood floors is more tear resistant and durable according to users.
All you need is 3 4 of an inch to nail it down and most wood frame floors will have 3 4 to 1 1 8 underlayment usually plywood on new houses or 1x4 to 1x8 solid pine or fir on old houses.
Summarizing the use of a standard foam underlayment it is the choice when there is no great need for a moisture barrier.
2x6 is a rarity.
Whenever installing hardwood flooring on the second floor or higher there is no need for a moisture barrier.
Laminate floors need an underlayment as the floor moves with temperature changes adds a cushion to the floor and also is sound deadening.