Flooring Blogs For Adelaide: Everything You Need to Know

Flooring and Underlay Solutions In Adelaide

When most Adelaide homeowners think about flooring, they often focus on the surface, timber, vinyl, laminate, or carpet.

But what lies beneath the surface is just as important. Choosing the right underlayment (also called underlay) is essential to ensure your flooring feels great, lasts longer, and performs well in South Australia's unique climate.

At Modern Floors, we help you select the best underlay solution to suit your flooring type, property needs, and budget, backed by decades of local expertise.

Visit Our Showroom: 95 Winston Avenue, Daw Park, SA 5041
Call Us: (08) 8181 0120

Underlayment is the supporting layer installed between the subfloor and your flooring material. While often hidden, it plays a critical role in:

• Sound insulation (especially for multi-level homes)
• Thermal insulation (crucial in Adelaide’s hot summers and cool winters)
• Moisture protection
• Smoothing subfloor imperfections
• Enhancing comfort underfoot

Whether you're installing laminate, timber, vinyl, or carpet, the right underlay will protect your investment and improve the feel and function of your floor.

Each flooring type benefits from a specific kind of underlayment. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular underlays used across Adelaide homes.

● Foam Underlayment

Best for: Laminate and engineered timber flooring

Foam underlay is lightweight, affordable, and easy to install. It provides:

• Basic sound absorption
• Minimal cushioning
• Some thermal benefits

In dry, low-moisture areas like Adelaide’s inland suburbs, standard foam underlayment can be a cost-effective choice.

● Rubber Underlayment

Best for: Luxury vinyl planks (LVP), laminate, timber

Rubber underlayment is more durable and resilient than foam, offering:

• Excellent sound insulation
• Greater moisture resistance
• Superior comfort underfoot

Great for apartment buildings or rental properties where noise reduction is a priority.

● Felt Underlayment

Best for: Hardwood and laminate

Felt underlay is made from recycled fibres and provides:

• Outstanding sound and impact absorption
• Eco-friendly material options
• More insulation than foam

Perfect for period homes or timber floor retrofits where comfort and sustainability are key.

● Moisture-Barrier Underlayment

Best for: Concrete subfloors, basements, hybrid flooring

This underlayment includes a built-in vapour barrier to block moisture from rising up and damaging floors. Ideal for:

• Coastal areas (e.g., Glenelg, Brighton)
• Older homes with less moisture protection
• Homes with slab-on-ground construction

● Carpet Underlay

Best for: Carpet flooring

Carpet underlay options include:

• Foam
• Rubber
• Felt

Choose based on desired softness, foot traffic levels, and insulation needs. High-density rubber underlay, for example, is a great choice for bedrooms and living areas to enhance both comfort and durability.

How to Match Underlayment with Flooring Type

Choosing the wrong underlay can lead to buckling, uneven wear, or voided warranties. Here's a quick guide to help you match your flooring with the correct underlayment:

   Flooring Type:  Laminate

 Recommended Underlayment:  Foam or rubber

 Benefits:  Reduces noise, adds cushioning

Flooring Type:  Hybrid Flooring

 Recommended Underlayment:  Built-in or moisture-resistant underlay

 Benefits:  Protects from rising moisture

Flooring Type:  Timber (Engineered)

 Recommended Underlayment:  Rubber or felt

 Benefits:  Excellent noise and thermal insulation

Flooring Type:  Vinyl Plank

 Recommended Underlayment:  Rubber or hybrid underlay

 Benefits:  Ensures stability and comfort

Flooring Type:  Carpet

 Recommended Underlayment:  Foam or rubber carpet underlay

 Benefits:  Softness and durability

  Not sure what’s best? Modern Floors offers personalised underlay advice for every purchase and installation.

Adelaide’s unique climate and property landscape play a big role in underlay selection:

● Temperature Variations

With hot summers and cool winters, insulation is key. Opt for underlay materials that help regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy bills.

● Noise Control

For homes with multiple storeys, timber floors, or duplexes, soundproofing underlays like rubber or felt are highly recommended.

● Older Homes with Concrete Slabs

If you’re renovating a mid-century or character home, ensure you install an underlayment with moisture protection to prevent flooring issues down the line.

● Flooring in Coastal Areas

If your property is near the beach, especially in Brighton, Semaphore, or Henley Beach, go for underlays with vapour barriers to combat sea air moisture.

At Modern Floors, we know that flooring is only as good as the surface it’s installed on. That’s why we stock and recommend high-performance underlay options tailored to Adelaide’s unique conditions.

✔ A wide selection of underlay types in stock

✔ Expert guidance to match underlay to your flooring and home

✔ Installation services by experienced professionals

✔ Locally owned and operated from our Daw Park showroom

Don’t overlook what’s underneath your flooring. The right underlay (or underlayment) will not only protect your investment but also deliver a quieter, more comfortable, and longer-lasting result.

Whether you're building, renovating, or replacing old flooring, Modern Floors has Adelaide’s most trusted underlay solutions ready to go.

Visit Us in Daw Park

Our flooring specialists can help you compare underlay options in person and answer all your questions.

Address: 95 Winston Avenue, Daw Park, SA 5041

Phone: (08) 8181 0120

Drop in or give us a call to book a free consultation today!