27
My approach to underlayment changed after a job in Denver
I used to just roll out the foam pad and call it good, especially on slab foundations. But after installing a floating LVP floor in a Denver condo last winter, I had callbacks for noise. The temperature swings made the cheap pad compress unevenly. Now I always check the manufacturer specs and use a 3mm cork underlayment for any floating floor, no exceptions. What's your go-to underlayment for dry climates?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
jake_walker2mo ago
Denver's dry air will teach you more about underlayment than any manual. I learned the hard way too, with a foam pad that sounded like a bowl of rice crispies by February. Now I just assume every floating floor is secretly a noise complaint waiting to happen. Cork is the only thing I trust not to turn into a crunchy mess when the weather does its thing.
6
gavinhunt2mo agoTop Commenter
My foam pad in Phoenix did the same thing, @jake_walker.
1
dylanbarnes2mo ago
That "bowl of rice crispies" sound is exactly right. I switched to a combo pad with a rubberized top layer for floating floors in dry areas. It costs a bit more, but it stays flexible and doesn't pack down like plain foam. The extra step is worth not having to go back and listen to the snap crackle pop all winter.
2