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no roofing felt is NOT an acceptable product for laminate flooring underlayment.

The function of underlayment is to absorb some of the minor imperfections in the sub-floor, to help deaden sound when walking on the floor, and to slightly soften the feel when walking on the floor. It is very important to understand that underlayment for laminate floors is not the same as padding for carpeting. Unlike padding for carpet, a thicker underlayment will not make laminate or wood flooring feel softer. However, it will also reduce sound in rooms below the flooring. The sound deadening quality is especially true of higher quality, higher priced underlayments.

You get what you pay for.

When choosing an underlayment for your new laminate, it is important to use ONLY the types approved by the manufacturer of your particular laminate OR ones that carry their own iron-clad warrenty approving it for use with the specific manufaturers' laminate product (and please remember manufacturers make a few types/grades of laminates, so ensure the specific types/grades are guaranteed for use for all products in the installation, and for the area of application).

There are a few different underlayment products ranging from inexpensive Standard Foam Underlayment that will leave a very hollow, echoey sound ... Combination Foam/Film Underlayment – aka Combo Underlayment taht is a little better than the standarf foam underlayment and usually provides better moisture protection and less of an echoey, hollow sound ... all the way up to sound absorbant, high end, modified, and cork underlayments, all of which are high end, higher cost solution, but also perform the best for the lifew of your laminate purchase.

There is a very comprehensive article you should read on laminate underlayments.

http://www.fastfloors.com/articles/Underlayment_Types_Uses.asp

in the end, it depends what you want and what you wish to spend.

Performance, durability, and the lifespan of your laminate will depend on your decission.

Unfortunately, price goes along with quality in most cases in regards to flooring because it is more costly to make.


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