A job in a 1920s bungalow in Pasadena made me swear off cheap underlayment for good.

I was putting down engineered hardwood and the homeowner bought the thinnest, cheapest foam pad he could find. Halfway through the main room, you could feel every single seam in the subfloor through the floorboards, and it sounded hollow when you walked. I had to pull up 400 square feet and start over with a proper cork underlayment. Has anyone else had a client try to cut corners on the stuff you don't see and ruin the whole feel of the floor?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylan_sanchez2d ago

But is the difference really that huge for most people? A lot of folks just want a floor that looks nice and don't notice the subtle stuff. My aunt put in cheap laminate with that thin foam and she's never complained once. She's just happy it's not the old carpet anymore. Maybe it's more about the installer's standards than what the homeowner will actually feel day to day.

erickelly2d ago

Ever see @dylan_sanchez's friend's bouncy floor? Felt like walking on cardboard.

charles7062d ago

That thin foam underlay is the main reason for the bouncy feel. It compresses over time, especially in high traffic areas. A good installer would use a thicker, denser pad to prevent that hollow sound and give a solid feel underfoot. Your aunt might not complain, but she'd definitely notice the difference side by side with a properly installed floor. The right materials and method make a huge difference in how long the floor lasts and how it feels every day.