One of the most important considerations when choosing a flooring type is to also consider the right flooring underlayment. In general underlayment is a layer under the surface layer of the floor but above what would be the subfloor.
Often the underlayment goes on top of a cement or existing types of porous flooring. It is applied in a thick liquid form, sometimes with a trowel or a squeegee, and can be used to fill in minor blemishes in the surface of the floor to more significant areas of damage depending on the specific flooring underlayment product used.
The Location
Depending on the type of use of the flooring, as well as its location, different flooring underlayment products may be more suitable. For example, for outdoor use where temperatures will move from hot to cold it is important to choose a product that will the same expansion and contraction as the underlying concrete.
Without this feature the concrete would expand and contract with freezing and extreme heat, but the flooring underlayment would not. This would lead to stretching and buckling which would show through the surface waterproofing treatment and reduce the life of the flooring.
The Requirements
Different options in flooring underlayment may also be required to assist with specific needs in construction or in the use of a particular area. This will again depend on the materials both of the subfloor as well as the finished floor.
In some spaces, it may be important to create a noise barrier. Some companies offer flooring underlayment which can actually absorb sound and help to dampen vibrations, adding to increased noise reduction. This type of underlayment can be used with any common floor finishes including composition flooring materials, ceramic tiles, decking or even carpet.
Other types of construction or installation requirements for flooring underlayment may include auto-leveling materials. This would be a critical concern when the concrete may not be level but is not off level by a significant amount. Fast drying products are also available which are ideal for both small and large jobs.
Choosing the right flooring underlayment for the job starts by understanding the possibilities in product available from the manufacturer. With this product you can create a level, sound reducing and patching system that is uniformly applied to the entire floor surface. The results in a smooth, level and resurfaced area on which any waterproofing system or other flooring material can be applied.
There are many different types of flooring underlayment available to create the floor surface you need for a beautiful finished floor. To learn more about what we offer at Dex-O-Tex see us online at www.dex-o-tex.com.
