underlayments
Beneath the flooring
Underlayments are layers of material installed beneath a finished surface.
In flooring, underlayment goes between subfloor and the visible floor—providing cushioning, moisture protection, or sound dampening.
In roofing, it's the barrier between decking and shingles.
The singular underlayment refers to both the material and the practice of installing it.
Base beneath finished flooring
- paddingMaterial for cushioning
- foamBubble-filled substance
- cushionStuffed fabric for comfort
- plywoodEngineered layered wood panels
moisture barrier · laminate · hardwood · vinyl · carpet pad · leveling · installation · thickness
Underlying supporting material
- base layerInnermost worn garment
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- preparationArranging things in advance
- subfloorBase beneath finished flooring
sheathing · building materials · moisture control · thermal barrier · acoustic · specifications · thickness · durability
Protective outer layer
- deckingOutdoor wooden flooring
- felt paperAsphalt-saturated construction sheeting
- tar paperBitumen-soaked roofing sheet
- shinglesOverlapping roof cladding
membrane · waterproofing · asphalt · plywood · roof deck · flashing · eaves · ventilation
subfloor
Base beneath finished flooring
plywood · moisture barrier · laminate · hardwood · vinyl · carpet pad · leveling · installation · thickness · soundproofing
substrate
Underlying supporting material
- base layerInnermost worn garment
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- preparationArranging things in advance
subfloor · sheathing · building materials · moisture control · thermal barrier · acoustic · specifications · thickness · durability · contractor
sheathing
Protective outer layer
- deckingOutdoor wooden flooring
- felt paperAsphalt-saturated construction sheeting
- tar paperBitumen-soaked roofing sheet
shingles · membrane · waterproofing · asphalt · plywood · roof deck · flashing · eaves · ventilation · synthetic
underlaymentssurface layers
Exterior material regions
veneers · overlays · toppings · roofing shingles · hardwood flooring