Underlayment is a thin layer of material that sits between a sublfloor and the top or finished floor. According to FloorOne.com, underlayment helps smooth out minor imperfections in the subfloor and helps absorb and dampen the sound of walking when the finished floor is installed. Underlayment also helps your finished floor bond tighter to the subfloor (assuming you are using flooring that requires adhesive). Although the most common type of material used for underlayment is standard foam, a number of other materials---such as gypsum fiberboard, cork and other wood-based products---can also be used.
Testing for Moisture
Before you begin laying down your underlayment material, AskTheBuilder.com recommends that you test the subfloor for moisture using a moisture meter, which you can find at most hardware stores. If your subfloor has a moisture content of 15 percent or higher, installing underlayment will likely result in warping. AsktheBuilder says that excess moisture often develops in subfloors that are above crawl spaces or exposed ground. The ground, which in some cases is just a few inches away, seeps moisture into the wood. To reduce moisture, you should coat the underlying ground with a vapor barrier, which you can find a hardware or home supply store. Then you will be ready for underlayment.
Laying Down Rigid Underlayment
If you are using a wood-based or otherwise rigid material for underlayment, such as thinly cut particleboard, you will need to install sections of this material over your subfloor like a giant puzzle. Starting is one corner and then working your way out across the rest of the subfloor is a good strategy. It is more than likely, however, that by the end of this puzzle's completion there will be some oddly sized spaces left. Take measurements of whatever spaces are leftover and saw out corresponding pieces with a table or handsaw.
Laying Down Flexible Underlayment
If you are using a flexible material for underlayment, such as foam, it will likely come on a big roll. Start in one corner of the subfloor, and unroll the material along a wall until it reaches the other end. You can then slide over, align the roll next to the strip you just put down and repeat the process. One of the benefits of working with a flexible underlayment material is that you can cut off excess and cut out necessary shapes using a box cutter.
Fastening Underlayment to the Subfloor
Although rigid underlayment panels are often tacked to the subfloor using thin, framing nails, more flexible materials can be fastened to the subfloor using a staple gun. In either case, according to AskTheBuilder.com, you should make sure that the tops of your fasteners are flush with, or below, the level of your underlayment. Otherwise it could disrupt your finished floor.
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