Hardwood Floors February/March 2026

By Randy Dye

ADOBESTOCK ©

RESILIENCE MATTERS A common misconception is that all underlayments perform the same. In reality, quality underlayments are made from highly resilient materials that absorb impact and quickly return to their original thickness. This resilience is critical because wood flooring is heavy, and once furniture is added, the true test begins. The underlayment must support not only the floor, but also the furnishings. If it loses thickness over time, it also will lose its overall support of the floor. When selecting an acoustical underlayment, focus on two key attributes: density and resiliency. Higher mass (density) and greater resistance to compression – often measured in Newton pounds of force at 25 percent and 65 percent indentation force deflection (IFD) – are measures of resilience. Shore A hardness is another metric sometimes used to show how well the product resists impressions in small areas, such as corners or joints. f

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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