What to use as an underlay for linoleum

[Code Developer]

As the subject says really.

The in-laws are having linoleum put down in their (upstairs) bedroom this week. The guy who is going to fit it says not to put anything down underneath, just the linoleum straight down onto the floor.

However, as the house is pretty new with MDF flooring upstairs and therefore virtually no sound-proofing, I think they may be better off using some sort of underlay. They previously had carpet (and underlay) on the floor and soundproofing etc was fine with that, however I reckon they'll notice a difference in both insulation and soundproofing with just lino.

Are there any recommended materials that they could use underneath, or could they just use those fibreboard tiles that are used under laminate flooring, with maybe a thin layer of hardboard on top to stop sharp objects puncturing it?

Thanks, Shaun.

[Mike Halmarack]

Soft underlay will make it too easy to puncture the linoleum, which really needs a firm base. The usual practice is to lay hardboard, which is then nailed punched and filled with a flexible filler the joints, such as they are, get filled with similar material. Good quality linoleum provides a fine, hard wearing floor but any flaws in the substrate will tend to show through the material as it settles.

-- Regards, Mike Halmarack

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