Substrate & Underlay

Q: Do you use underlay with vinyl flooring?

While it's not needed in every situation, you certainly can. Underlay is placed under your vinyl flooring, protecting it from dirt and moisture. It also adds an extra layer of protection to the floor, making it more durable and ensuring you get years of use out of your vinyl flooring.

Q: Do you need underlayment for tile flooring?

Underlayment is a thin layer of material used to protect the subfloor from moisture and wear. It's typically applied over a tile floor to prevent it from damaging and cracking, but it can also be used underneath carpet tiles to help prevent slipping and other disasters.

Flooring substrate and underlay are the two main components of a flooring system. A substrate is what you walk on, while underlay is what protects your concrete subfloor from moisture, dirt, and other debris. High-quality options for both can make a world of difference to the flooring of your home or business and ArchiPro features only the best floor underlay and substrate products in New Zealand.

Pure Carpet Cushion 140kg x 11.5mm

Dunlop Flooring

Featuring the best substrate and underlay in New Zealand

ArchiPro features only the best substrate and underlay products from leading suppliers in New Zealand. It's easy to get carried away when you're planning a new space, but it's also important to choose the right materials for your project so that you can be sure that it will last. The right floor underlay and substrate are therefore an important part of your home building or renovation project. These products are also an important part of a wider range of flooring solutions that you will find on ArchiPro.

Types of substrate and underlay

There are a few different types of flooring substrates and underlays available in New Zealand and understanding these will help you make the most suitable decision for your next project.

Naturally-occurring floor substrate

Natural floor substrate options are made of natural materials like peat, organic fertilisers, and soil that are hospitable for living organisms.

Synthetic substrate

A classic example of this is plastic. It is manufactured to simulate natural materials and is usually more commonly found.

PU underlay

This is made from polyurethane foam but has been treated with pigment to give it more colour. This is useful when looking for something specific. This is a great material to use underneath vinyl flooring.

Crumb underlay

This is treated with crumbs so that it feels like sandpaper when you walk across it. This gives it an abrasive feel.

The advantages of high-quality substrate and underlay

High-quality substrate flooring and floor underlayment are great investments for any home in New Zealand. Because they play such a crucial role in protecting a home from water damage and more, it’s important to prioritise quality. High-quality substrate flooring and floor underlayment is robust and reliable and won't break down over time. When purchasing from reputable suppliers, you’ll also get exceptional service both during the buying process and beyond with respect to ongoing support and maintenance. They also have great connections with other flooring suppliers like wood flooring, which you may wish to use in other parts of your project.

How to choose a substrate and underlay that's right for you

If you're looking to install a new substrate and underlay in New Zealand, you'll need to consider a few things. First, decide how much space you have and how much traffic your new flooring is likely to get i.e. whether or not it's going to be in a high-traffic area. Then, think about how long you'll want the floor underlayment to last. Knowing the answers to these questions is important as you’ll need to share these with your chosen supplier in order to help them recommend the most suitable option for your home or business. As the range of options is quite diverse and specific, the more information you can share, the better the recommendation will be.

Will the underlayment level floor?

Yes. Underlayment is an important part of the flooring system in New Zealand, which provides a layer of protection for the floorboards. It also helps to reduce noise and vibration transmission through the floor, thus reducing the possibility of squeaks and creaks as the years pass by.