The Anatomy of Quality: Why Underlayment Matters
When people visit our Allison Park showroom, they usually head straight for the colors and textures. But the most important part of your new floor is actually something you will never see: the underlayment.
What Does Underlayment Actually Do?
Think of underlayment as the “shocks” on a car. It serves three vital purposes:
- Sound Dampening: Especially in multi-level homes, quality underlayment prevents the “tap-tap-tap” sound of footsteps from echoing into the rooms below.
- Moisture Protection: In Pennsylvania, moisture often seeps up through concrete slabs or crawlspaces. A high-quality vapor barrier prevents this moisture from reaching your hardwood or LVP.
- Thermal Insulation: It adds a layer of “warmth” underfoot, making those cold winter mornings much more tolerable.
Cheap vs. Professional Grade
Not all underlayments are created equal. Many “all-in-one” products at big-box stores use a thin foam that collapses after six months. Once the foam collapses, your floor starts to move, leading to squeaks and cracked joints. A&S Carpet Collection uses high-density, professional-grade underlayments that maintain their shape and protection for the entire life of the floor.
The A&S Edge: Reliable Home Solutions
We believe in honesty and integrity, which means we won’t cut corners on the “hidden” parts of your floor. When we provide an estimate, we include the correct underlayment for your specific subfloor type. We want you to love your floor not just for how it looks on day one, but for how it sounds and feels on year ten.