Best Underlay for Engineered Wood

The right underlay depends on how the floor is fitted and what is underneath it. Glued-down floors need none; floating floors always need one.

Short answer: Glued-down engineered floors need no underlay. Floating floors always do: over concrete or screed use an underlay with a built-in damp-proof membrane, over timber a fibre or foam underlay that levels small dips, and in flats an acoustic underlay that meets the lease. Over underfloor heating, choose a thin underlay with low thermal resistance. Updated October 2026 by the LIGNORA flooring team

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Do you need underlay?

It depends on the fitting method.

A glued-down floor is bonded straight to the subfloor with flooring adhesive, so it uses no underlay. A floating floor sits on an underlay and is not fixed down, so the underlay does the work of cushioning, levelling small dips and reducing noise. See glue-down vs floating.

Underlay by subfloor

Match the underlay to what is underneath.

Which type where

Concrete or screed: an underlay with a built-in damp-proof membrane, or a separate membrane underneath
Timber floorboards or ply: a fibreboard or foam underlay to even out minor unevenness — no damp-proof membrane needed on a dry timber floor
Underfloor heating: a thin, low-tog underlay made for heating, keeping the total thermal resistance of floor and underlay within the heating maker's limit — often quoted as 0.15 m²K/W (1.5 tog)
Flats: an acoustic underlay that meets the sound rating in your lease — check it before you order

Getting it right

Underlay cannot fix a bad subfloor.

Underlay smooths out small dips, not large ones: the subfloor still needs to be flat, dry and sound. Never lay underlay over old carpet. Check the screed's moisture before laying on concrete, and follow the floor maker's spec sheet for approved underlays.

About this guide

Written by the LIGNORA team. Our in-house fitters have over 11 years’ experience laying engineered oak, parquet and solid wood floors, and this guide reflects how we specify floors on real projects. Last reviewed October 2026.

Underlay Guide,
Answered

The questions we are asked most often.

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Do I need underlay for engineered wood flooring?

Only if it is floated. Glued-down engineered wood is bonded to the subfloor and uses no underlay.

What is the best underlay for underfloor heating?

A thin, low-tog underlay made for heating, keeping the total thermal resistance within the heating maker's limit — often quoted as 0.15 m²K/W (1.5 tog).

Do I need a damp-proof membrane on concrete?

Yes. On concrete or screed use an underlay with a built-in damp-proof membrane, or lay a separate membrane first.

Can I lay underlay over carpet?

No. Remove carpet and old underlay first so the new underlay sits on a flat, solid subfloor.

Ask us about
your floor.

Send us a photo of the room and tell us about the subfloor and heating, and we will recommend the right board. Or order free samples to see them at home.

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