Underlayment: Do You Need It for Hardwood Floors?

There are few things more satisfying than giving your space a fresh update and seeing it come alive again. While taking down walls, installing new appliances, repainting, and replacing fixtures make a significant impact, brand new hardwood floors can create just as much—if not more—of a transformation.

If you’re planning to install hardwood flooring, one of the most common questions that comes up is: “Do I really need an underlayment?” Whether you’re going the DIY route or working with a professional, understanding the role of underlayment is key to getting the best performance and longevity out of your hardwood floors.

What is Underlayment?

Underlayment is a thin layer of padding placed beneath hardwood floors. The type of material often varies from foam, rubber, felt/fiber, or other synthetic blends. It serves multiple purposes, the biggest of which is moisture protection. The underlayment acts as a barrier between your subfloor and hardwood, potentially saving your investment from damage caused by moisture. This is particularly important in humid climates or homes with moisture-emitting concrete subfloors.

Underlayment also enhances comfort, insulation, noise reduction, and helps smooth out minor subfloor imperfections that could otherwise lead to issues.

Is Underlayment Actually Necessary?

While underlayment offers plenty of advantages, it’s not always a must-have for hardwood floors. The key to long-lasting, beautiful flooring starts with selecting the right hardwood for your needs. With various options available, from stains and grains to hardness levels, not every type of wood will be suitable for every situation.

For instance, a durable wood like hickory is perfect for active households with pets and children, while a softer wood like pine might not hold up as well. Even so, underlayment can only improve the overall quality of your floor—offering added stability, noise reduction, moisture protection, and comfort. So, while it might not be strictly necessary, we recommend using it if your budget allows.

Underlayment Material Options 

If you decide to go with underlayment, there are several material options to choose from:

• Felt/Fiber – Popular for hardwood flooring, felt provides good protection against moisture and noise. It offers a good supportive base for the flooring to reside on top of. Felt is also eco-friendly, made from recycled materials. Our QuietWalk Plus or QuietWalk LV underlayment is a popular choice for hardwoods, providing excellent performance in all categories.

• Rubber – For stronger soundproofing and insulation, rubber is a great choice. It’s durable and provides excellent protection, though it tends to be pricier. Our SoundBuffer and AbsorbaSound selections offers an affordable rubber option with all the same benefits.

• Foam – Foam is a budget-friendly and easy-to-install option, providing decent cushioning and noise absorption. However, foam may lack durability over time, as the air bubbles within it can compress and lose effectiveness.

• Cork – Although less popular by and large, cork is a solid alternative and typically is specified in sound control applications. It’s more expensive than rubber but offers excellent sound absorption and stability, plus it’s sustainable and has anti-microbial properties.