Engineered wood flooring is a revolutionary way of being able to achieve a real wood flooring look in a room which is at risk of suffering significant moisture and temperature fluctuations, as well as in rooms where you have under floor heating. Thanks to the way it’s constructed, engineered wood flooring doesn’t expand and contract to the same extent as solid wood flooring and will allow the efficient passage of heat from under floor heating, without warping or bowing.
Engineered wood flooring can be fitted using glue, nail or staple, or a click system, but most engineered wood flooring is fitted using the floating method of installation that relies on the tight bond of each board, plus the weight of the floor to keep the floor in place. If you are using glue down installation, there is no point in using an underlay, but each of the other methods will normally benefit from an underlay. A good quality engineered wood flooring underlay will not only make the installation of your floor easier, it’ll help protect your floor and will keep it looking great for even longer.
Sometimes people worry about what sort of underlay they should use when installing their floor and it’s for this reason that we’ve put together this guide. You should find it useful if you have any dampness or humidity in your subfloor or if you have under floor heating.
Underlay suggestions if you have a damp or humid sub-floor
If you’re planning to lay an engineered floor over a damp or humid sub floor, it’s important that you establish the seriousness of the moisture problem you’re facing. In order to do this, you need to measure the moisture levels in your subfloor before you fit your floor and before you choose your underlay. There are various ways to do this and here you’ll find more information on Recording Moisture Levels Before Fitting Wood Flooring. Once you’ve established the level of moisture in your floor, you’ll be in a better position to select a suitable underlay for your floor.
You should choose a damp proof membrane (DPM) that has been produced for use with engineered flooring. This DPM will create a barrier between the damp areas in your subfloor and your engineered floor. This type of underlay is designed to stop moisture passing from your subfloor to your floor and is therefore intended to prevent damage from dampness. There are various different options and your flooring supplier will guide you on which specific underlay they would recommend, but it’s important to specify the severity of the dampness issue when you’re seeking advice. TOP TIP: it’s a good idea, even on sub floors that are currently dry, but risk becoming damp at some point in the future, to install a DPM.
Underlay suggestions if you have under floor heating
If you’re planning on fitting engineered wood flooring in a room where you have under floor heating, it’s essential not to reduce the heating’s effectiveness by choosing the wrong underlay. When it comes to choosing your fitting method when you have under floor heating, the likelihood is that you’ll be forced to plump for either glue-down or floating. That said, if you have electric under floor heating, you should avoid glue-down as an installation method. However, as already stated, there is no need for underlay if you choose the glue-down method, but if you choose a floating method, you need to make sure that you choose an underlay that allows maximum heat transfer, at the same time as offering all the other benefits of a quality underlay.
FAQ
What is engineered wood flooring?
Engineered wood flooring is a unique type of flooring that provides the appearance of real wood while being able to withstand significant moisture and temperature fluctuations. It is ideal for rooms with underfloor heating, as its construction allows efficient heat passage without warping or bowing.
How is engineered wood flooring installed?
Engineered wood flooring can be installed using glue, nail or staple, a click system, or most commonly, the floating method. The floating method relies on the tight bond of each board and the weight of the floor to keep it in place. An underlay is usually beneficial for all installation methods except glue down.
What type of underlay should I use for a damp or humid sub-floor?
If your sub-floor is damp or humid, you should first measure the moisture levels before choosing your underlay. Once you’ve established the level of moisture, you can choose a damp proof membrane (DPM) specifically made for use with engineered flooring, which creates a barrier between the damp areas in your subfloor and your engineered floor.
What type of underlay should I use for under floor heating?
If you’re installing engineered wood flooring in a room with underfloor heating, you need an underlay that allows maximum heat transfer while still offering the benefits of a quality underlay. If you choose a floating installation method, you’ll need this type of underlay to not reduce the heating’s effectiveness.
What are the installation methods if I have underfloor heating?
For rooms with underfloor heating, the likely fitting methods are either glue-down or floating. However, if you have electric underfloor heating, you should avoid the glue-down method. No underlay is required if you choose the glue-down method, but it’s essential for the floating method.