Underlayment is one of those overused industry terms that carries a different meaning depending on the person with whom you are talking. It can be shorthand for carpet cushion, as well as used for the sound-abating cushion beneath hard surface options such as laminate, resilient and hardwood. It can even allude to crack isolation membranes and backer boards in the case of ceramic tile.
Floor Trends spoke with several manufacturers in the segment to give retailers some basic pointers on selling the material and why it is an important part of the overall package in making the end user happy.