Why Underlay Matters More Than You Think
When planning a new floor installation, most homeowners and developers focus on the visible surface—whether it's engineered timber, laminate, SPC, or vinyl. But beneath every great floor is an unsung hero that’s often overlooked: the underlay. At ATS Design, we’ve seen firsthand how the right underlay can dramatically enhance flooring performance, comfort, and longevity. Whether you're upgrading a home in Auckland or starting a fresh build in Northland, understanding the role of underlay is essential.
What is Flooring Underlay?
Underlay is a thin layer of material installed between the subfloor and the final floor covering. It’s typically made from foam, rubber, felt, or cork and plays several key roles in your floor’s performance.
While it may not be visible once the floor is laid, underlay provides important functional and comfort-related benefits that impact your flooring every day.
Enhanced Comfort & Insulation
One of the most immediate benefits of quality underlay is improved comfort underfoot. It adds cushioning, reducing the hardness you might feel with timber, laminate, or SPC flooring. In colder climates or seasons, underlay also acts as a thermal barrier—retaining warmth, especially helpful in homes across Northland and the Auckland Region.
It also contributes to better sound insulation, absorbing impact noise and foot traffic. This makes it ideal for upstairs rooms, apartments, and busy family homes where noise control is a priority.
Prolonged Floor Lifespan
Underlay helps protect your flooring from wear and tear over time. It absorbs the pressure from foot traffic, preventing stress from transferring directly to your flooring planks. This is particularly important for laminate and SPC floors, which benefit from this buffer layer to reduce the chance of cracking or damage.
In humid or moisture-prone areas, some underlays also offer moisture-resistant properties—helping to prevent damage to both the flooring and the subfloor beneath.
Smoother Installation
Using underlay ensures a more even, stable surface during the installation process. This is especially beneficial when working with floating floors, such as click-lock SPC or laminate, where minor imperfections in the subfloor could otherwise cause gaps or uneven planks.
A high-quality underlay can also help minimize expansion noise from engineered timber or laminate boards, giving your flooring a quieter and more solid feel with each step.
Essential for Specific Products
Some flooring products absolutely require underlay for best performance. For example:
SPC Flooring: While moisture-resistant, SPC benefits greatly from a soft underlay to reduce footfall noise and improve comfort.
Laminate Flooring: Laminate floors are hard and thin, making underlay crucial for sound and warmth.
Engineered Timber: Underlay enhances the feel and performance of floating timber floors, especially in multi-storey builds.
At ATS Design, we pair every flooring recommendation with expert underlay advice, ensuring your new floor performs to its full potential—whether you're laying herringbone timber in Auckland or durable vinyl in a Northland rental property.
Quality Underlay = Quality Results
In short, underlay is more than a technical necessity—it’s a performance booster. It improves comfort, reduces noise, extends lifespan, and protects your investment. When you choose ATS Design, you're not just getting a floor, you’re getting a full flooring system that’s built to last.
Let us help you choose the perfect underlay for your project and flooring type. With the right foundation, your new floor will feel better, last longer, and look flawless for years to come.
Written by Ollie Duncan.