Underlay is the invisible layer that decides how your floor feels, sounds and lasts. The right choice depends entirely on which floor you’re laying — and sometimes the answer is “none at all”.
Hybrid flooring: it’s built in
Almost all hybrid planks come with an acoustic underlay pre-attached to the board. You should not add a second underlay — doubling up makes the click joints flex and can void the warranty. The only extra layer to consider is a plastic moisture barrier over new or damp-prone concrete slabs.
Laminate: underlay is essential
Laminate boards need a separate foam or rubber underlay to cushion the click system, absorb sound and smooth tiny subfloor imperfections. A 2–3mm high-density underlay with a built-in moisture film suits most homes; upgrade to an acoustic-rated rubber underlay in apartments, where body-corporate rules often specify a minimum acoustic rating.
Vinyl planks: follow the format
Glue-down vinyl is bonded directly to the subfloor — no underlay, but the subfloor prep must be immaculate because every bump eventually shows. Click vinyl and hybrid-style vinyl generally use pre-attached backings, same rule as hybrid.
Carpet: comfort and lifespan
Carpet underlay does two jobs: it makes carpet feel more luxurious and it takes the compression that would otherwise wear the carpet out. A dense 10–11mm foam underlay is the sweet spot for homes; go firmer and thinner for stairs and heavy traffic.
Apartments: check acoustic requirements
Most strata buildings set an acoustic standard (often quoted as an L’nT,w or “5-star” rating) for hard flooring. Hybrid with its attached acoustic layer usually meets it, but always confirm the specific product’s acoustic report before ordering — our team can supply the datasheet for any floor we stock.
Need a hand? Call us on 1300 477 699, browse flooring accessories, or order samples to compare thickness and feel at home.