Published in Floor Covering Weekly July 11th, 2011

1.       What are some of the most common misconceptions about underlayment products? (please be as specific as possible. For example, do people usually go cheap on underlayment? Or do they think all underlayment is the same?) I have recently learned that one of the common misconceptions from the end user is that thicker must be better when it comes to underlayment. In reality there are many underlayments thicker than Silent Blue® with lower sound ratings.
Our volume with higher end products has consistently grown and taken away much business from the base or midgrade products. The public has quickly realized that it is better to spend just a little more at the time of their purchase to minimize the clickity clack sound that is so common with floating floors.

2.       Now what are the solutions for each of these misconceptions? The solution to the common misconception that just because something is thicker it must be better, is to educate the end user by letting them know that the only thing that means better quality when it comes to floating floor underlayments is more sound and moisture control. Things like sound control can be compared by looking for independent testing and laboratory results for sound ratings. Moisture control gets a little trickier and is where we spent endless hours researching and looking for the best way to protect floating floors from being destroyed when installed over concrete floors with possible moisture related issues. We decided that a closed cell foam was the way to go, and then years later we improved it by adding two layers (one over the other, not on opposite sides) of protective film for extreme areas such as basements.

3.       Has the industry progressed a great deal over the last 20 years? If yes, how? If not, why do you think that? The U.S. introduction to Pergo back in 95 or 96 created the most rapid growing segment I had ever seen in the floor covering industry. Underlayments quickly followed and improved. In the beginning all that was available was base grade 2 in 1 underlayment, but improved pads with more forgiveness for subfloor imperfections quickly followed along with underlayment pads with sound control.

4.       Where do you see this industry heading in the next decade? I have to believe that this part of the industry cannot possibly duplicate its prior performance, but possibly see some quantum leaps from time to time. For example a waterproof laminate that becomes both popular and affordable might be around the corner and will need a different type of underlayment pad, one that doesn’t need strong moisture resistance but a greater ability to absorb subfloor imperfections.

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