WHAT'S NEW?

Serious  Zero VOC Commercial Grade Caulks and Sealants
 

Energy EfficientZone Heater 

Takagi TanklessWater Heaters
 

Stunning Pre-fabricated Bamboo Countertops

Deep Penetrating Colored Sealers for Concrete &Stucco

Vetrazzo Recycled Glass Counters

Floating Floor Underlayment

We recommend the following non-toxic underlayments:

Tile: Schluter products coming soon.

Our underlayments and carpet pads are available in conjunction with the purchase of flooring or carpets.

Why Do I Need To Prepare My Subfloor?
If you install carpeting without a pad, it will not be as comfortable to walk on and it will wear out faster. If you install tile on a cracked concrete subfloor it will enventually crack the tile and grout. If you install a wood, cork, or bamboo floating floor on an unlevel subfloor, the edges will not fit well together. Consequently you will stub your toes and eventually destroy that part of the floor. 

If you install any type of floor on a damp concrete slab it may condense and create mold and mildew resulting in serious health issues. If you install any type of floor on a structurally weak subfloor it may squeak and result in uneveness in the surface. Need we say more!

No matter what product you install on the floor, the subfloor must be 1) level, 2) dry, and 3) solid. That holds true for today AND in the future. These factors are critical if you want your investment to last. Don't underestimate its importance and don't skimp. Installing a beautiful floor without proper preparation is like building a home without a foundation or like painting without primer. Sure it can be done, but the results will not be satisfactory in the long run.

What Type of Prep Work Do I Need?
That depends upon the nature and age of the subfloor. Always consult with your installer first. If adjacent floorboards are at different heights, sanding may be required. If they have serious flaws, a self-leveling cementitious product or a premade 1/8"-1/2" hardboard or cement board may suffice. If the concrete slab is cracked, a filler needs to be used in conjunction with an isolation membrane. If the floor is damp it needs to dried thoroughly. If mildew or mold exists they need to be removed. If the floor is squeeky or weak, structural work may be required or hardboard or cement board may suffice. 

Why Do I Need Underlayment? Isn't Prep Work Enough?
Prep work is critical but underlayment is equally important for the following reasons: 1) To smooth out any undetected rough edges, small dips, or rises in the subfloor, 2) To make the floor softer to walk on, 3) To provide sound insulation, 4) To provide protection against moisture, 5) To prevent problems in the future due to settling.

What Are The Different Types Of Underlayment? Are They Non-toxic?
There are many types of underlayment for each type of flooring depending upon the current challenge with your subfloor, or the one you are trying to avoid in the future. All of our flooring underlayments are non-toxic and are listed along with each flooring product. Please read the installation instructions of each product for further details of what type of underlayment is required.

What if I Have Radiant In-floor Heating?
In-floor radiant heating, either hydronic or electric, will be affected to some degree by any underlayment. That means the heating coming through the floor will be reduced, depending upon the R-value of the underlayment. Cork, for example, is a superb thermal insulator and would Not be our first choice. Our SCI 1/8" synthetic rubber pad is an excellent non-toxic pad with a very low R-value of .097 making it well suited to in-floor heating.