While choosing your floating floor is a matter of style, selecting the right underlayment is about performance. A few key questions will help you find the ideal subfloor membrane.
First, where will your floor be installed? Basements require underlayment with a moisture barrier. For above-grade installations, most types will suffice. Second, does your building have an Impact Insulation Class (IIC) rating? If so, you’ll need a rubber (recycled rubber) or Acousti-Tech (synthetic fiber) underlayment for optimal sound dampening. Regardless, the most important question is: what’s your priority—best price, best quality, or best value? At Plancher Sélect, we offer a range of underlayments, so you can decide for yourself.
Polyethylene foam underlayment
Confort Bleu
Available in a range of colors—commonly blue, pink, green, white, black, or gray—this option primarily offers mold and allergen resistance. Its key advantage is its very low price point.
Available in a range of colors—commonly blue, pink, green, white, black, or gray—this option primarily offers mold and allergen resistance. Its key advantage is its very low price point.
Polyethylene with aluminum heat reflector (Vapor Barrier)
Confort Alu
The 2-in-1 advantage
This 2-in-1 underlayment provides the same benefits as the previous option, with the added advantage of an integrated vapor barrier.
Confort-Alu W-100
Soluson-max 2.2 M
Soluson Max W-525
The Soluson-Max W-525 underlayment offers excellent acoustic performance for laminate and engineered wood floors. Made from 100% non-recycled rubber, it features an integrated vapor barrier for mold protection. This underlayment is a great alternative to traditional rubber underlayments, being significantly lighter and easier to handle.
Soluson Max W-525
3-in-1 Antimicrobial neoprene underlayment – Soluson Alu (3mm):
Soluson Alu
This underlayment offers the best value on the market, with good sound insulation (IIC 63 dB) and an integrated vapor barrier. Its 100% waterproof closed-cell construction and superior compression memory make it a top choice for conscientious installers and homeowners.
Soluson-Alu W-555
Acoustic underlayment: Recycled tire composition
Soluson 3.5
These premium underlayments are the ultimate choice for floating floors, combining sound insulation, a thermal barrier, and a subfloor mat. Sound insulation performance ranges from IIC 58 to 63, with thicknesses varying from 3mm to 10mm. Naturally, greater thickness provides enhanced performance. In most cases, these are chosen to meet building requirements rather than personal preference. The only drawback is their premium price, which can exceed the cost of the flooring itself.
Soluson W-350 W-505