Can You Use Roofing Felt Under Laminate Flooring?

Nowadays, laminate flooring is becoming quite popular, which is also known as a floating floor system. However, it is crucial to have an underlayment to protect the floor. Roofing felt, nowadays, is a perfect choice for different flooring. But can you use roofing felt under laminate flooring?

Using roofing felt under laminate flooring makes the floor stable, brighter, and adds warmth. Additionally, there are some significant advantages of using roofing felt as an underlayment. It’s a long-lasting and durable option. This can protect both the floor and subfloor from any damage. 

It can keep your laminate floor waterproof and protects it from various damages. The purpose and benefits of roofing felt installation are discussed below, from which you can understand its importance. Then if you want to install it, follow the steps below to make the floor stronger at a lower cost. 

5 Benefits Of Using Roofing Felt Under Laminate Flooring:

Roofing felt underlays are used on the house’s roof and floor. This is a layer of protection installed between the floor and the subfloor. It is saturated with a protective coating that removes water away. There are several advantages of using roof felt laminate flooring, which is given below.

1. Soundproof:

The most significant advantage of roofing felt is that it is soundproof. If you have more than one floor in your house, use it so that the sound of one floor does not reach the other floor. However, you must use roofing paper at least 2 mm thick.

2. Water-Resistant:

Laminate flooring under the roofing felt enhances the possessions of the floor. Many times, the effectiveness of laminate flooring is reduced due to prolonged humidity. If you install roofing paper between the subfloor and the laminate floor, it prevents moisture from entering. As a result, your laminate stays intact for a long time.

3. Cost-Effective:

At present, most homeowners install underlayment under their floor. Installing roofing felt underlayment is not like financing financially. So, it is a suitable choice for those who want advanced protection for laminate flooring at an affordable price. Anyone can use it as it is more affordable than other types of underlayment. Here is a table of national roofing felt installation costs:

Purpose	Cost per sq. ft.
National average materials	$0.32
National average labor and materials	$0.56
National Cost Range	$0.50-$0.63

4. Easy To Install:

Another unique advantage of this underlayment is that it is easy to uninstall. No different strategy is required to install it. If you have the necessary tools at work, you can install them yourself. However, the subfloor must be thoroughly cleaned before installation.

5. Helps To Generate Heat:

The roofing felt used under laminate flooring also acts as a floor insulator. It is pretty comfortable for the floor in a cold area. It spreads heat throughout the room in cold weather. As a result, you don’t have to increase the cost of electricity bills by using heaters to keep your face warm. 

5 Purposes Of Using Roofing Felt Under Laminate Flooring:

Many homeowners use roofing felt under the laminate floor to increase the floor’s durability. However, this may not be the only purpose of using this underlayment. There are many more purposes for using it, which are discussed below.

1. Provides Support For Your Flooring

Roofing felt is installed between the subfloor and the laminate floor. If the floor is broken, the subfloor has no damage. In addition, its use makes the floor more durable. When you install roofing felt under the laminate floor, it will hold your floor with the subfloor.

2. Prevents Moisture

Installing roofing felt prevents moisture from your floor. It is also suitable for waterlogged areas. Because laminate is a lot like wood that can withstand little water. However, if the water is too much, the floor may be damaged.

3. Helps Smooth Subfloor Imperfections

This will ensure the proper laying of your floor when installing the underlayment on the subfloor. If there is any debris left on a subfloor, it will not damage your floor. Any material below will help you get a smooth floor by covering the roofing paper.

4. Reduces Transmission Of Impact Sounds

Laminate is a lot like wood which makes a lot of noise when worn on something. The sound from the laminate floor flows rapidly from one place to another. However, if you install roofing felt under the floor, there will be less noise, and the sound will not be able to reach from one place to another. 

5. Increases The Longevity Of Your Floor

Roofing paper Laminate makes the floor more attractive by extending its floor life. It supports your floor so that it stays stuck in the floor space. Also, using it will protect the floor from abrasion and will help keep the floor beautiful for a long time.

How To Use Roofing Felt Under Laminate Flooring: 6 Steps To Go

Are you worried about installing the roofing felt under the floor? Then here, you will find the answer to the question. Because here is the simple process of installing underlayment. You can start work at any time if you have the necessary tools. Let’s first find out what tools we need for this work.

Step 1: Assemble Necessary Equipment

Although installing the roofing felt under a laminating floor is not difficult, it requires a lot of equipment. So, the equipment must be assembled before starting work. Here is the list.

• Hammer & pre bad;
• Measuring tape;
• Broomstick;
• Utility knife;
• Mop stick.

Step 2: Eliminate The Floor Trim 

First, eliminate the floor trim using a hammer and pry-bar. Do not damage the trim when removing the floor trim.

Step 3: Clean The Floor

Remove dirt from the floor with a broom. Then clean the floor thoroughly using a mop, so there is no dirt in it. Now leave the floor to dry.

Step 4: Roll Out A Course Of Roofing Felt

Roll out a course of roofing felt from one side of the floor. Place a layer and cut along it with a utility knife. 

Step 5: Cover The Entire Floor

Attach the course by pressing a long strip of duct tape over the entire seam. Place the remaining felt paper course on the rest of the floor to cover the entire floor. 

Step 6: Place The Laminate Floor

Now place your laminate floor on felt paper. Must leave 3/4-inch space at all ends of the floor and reinstall the trim. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Why Roofing Felt Under Laminate Flooring Is A Perfect Choice?

According to INSTALLFloors.org, underlayment is the most important aspect of all residential and commercial flooring projects. Roofing felt helps to hold the floor to the sub-floor. However, if you use Roofing Felt as an underlayment, it will change the look of your floor. 

Using it protects your subfloor. Roofing felt under the floor in areas will protect the floor from water damage. So, install an underlayment amid the laminate floor and subfloor to make flooring long-lasting. 

Roofing Felt 15 Vs. 30: Which Is The Best For Laminate Flooring And Why?

Roofing Felt 15 is used on most floors. Though, to keep the floor more protected, use roofing felt 30. Again, since 30 is relatively heavy, it is better to use 15.

The 15-pound roof felt less heavy, making it last less than 30 pounds. However, the price is relatively low. Since installing the floor repeatedly is impossible, I recommend using 30-Pound Felt. 

How Much Does It Cost To Install Roofing Felt Under Laminate Flooring?

If you want to install roofing felt under a laminate floor, you will have to spend an average of $0.32 per square foot of paper. So, if you want to install roofing felt on a floor of 1000 square feet, you only have to spend $320 for the material.

It will also add installation costs. The labor cost for installing the underlayment per square foot can be at least $0.56. But if you do the work by following the steps given by me, then your cost will be reduced a lot. 

Is Using Roofing Felt Under Laminate Flooring Toxic?

Many may think roofing felt is toxic and harmful to the environment. However, it contains no toxins and is not listed as a pollutant.

Since it does not contain toxins, it can be used on any floor of the house. However, it must be installed properly. But if you live in a tropical region, it is best not to use it. Because it creates hot weather in the house. 

Final Verdict:

Finally, I hope you now know the overall information about “can you use roofing felt under laminate flooring?” To make the laminating floor more durable, use the roofing felt between the floor and the subfloor.

It will cost a lot of money, but if you can install it yourself, the cost will be much lower. So, install roofing felt by following our article and increase the beauty and durability of the floor at a low cost.

References

Roofing felt buyer’s guide. Roofing Superstore. Retrieved July 1, 2022, from https://www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk/help-and-advice/product-guides/flat-roofing/roofing-felt-buyers-guide/