Using an underlay with your bamboo floor really depends on a number of things. Firstly, which type of bamboo flooring you have and secondly, how you want to install your flooring. All of our bamboo floors can be floated over an underlay, with the exception of parquet block, which needs to be fixed directly to the subfloor. Using an underlay is actually the quickest and easiest way to install your bamboo. It eliminates the need for glue or nails and the mess that comes alongside using them.
Why might I need to use an underlay?
If you decide to float (loose lay) your bamboo floor, you will need an underlay to act as a barrier between the subfloor and your bamboo. As long as you have properly prepared your subfloor, you will be able to float over it. Ideal subfloors for floating bamboo are, concrete, screed, floorboards or plywood.
Please be aware that you cannot float bamboo over an underlay if you are fitting over joists, or you are installing into a commercial property.
Which bamboo floors can be floated over an underlay?
All of our bamboo floors can be floated over an underlay except parquet block, which needs a full surface bond to the subfloor. Both solid and engineered bamboo flooring can be floated as they are dimensionally stable.
What different types of underlay are there?
You will need to choose the type of underlay that best suits your requirements. Here are some of the options available:
• For underfloor heating, there is a special underfloor heating underlay which has a very low tog rating to allow sufficient transfer of heat.
• If you require thermal insulation you will want an underlay with a good tog rating. The higher the tog rating the better the insulation.
• For sound resistance, look for a high decibel (dB) rating. The higher the dB rating the more sound proofing you will get from the underlay.
• If you have no special requirements and are just looking for a standard underlay, we would recommend using Silver Bam Underlay.
