Hours vary Jacksonville (904) 699-2626
Strictly Builders Inc
Soundproofing and Underlayment That Actually Performs

Family-owned · Jacksonville Local

Soundproofing and Underlayment That Actually Performs

Installed under every floor type, hardwood, LVP, tile, and carpet, for real noise reduction and long-term performance.

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Underlayment and soundproofing done correctly

Underlayment isn't glamorous work, but skipping it or doing it wrong is one of the most expensive mistakes in flooring. Soundproofing and underlayment decisions get made before the first plank goes down, and once that floor is installed, you're locked in. Ryan Alson and the crew at Strictly Builders Inc have been doing flooring installations in the Jacksonville area for three years, and the number of floors we've pulled up because the wrong underlayment was used under the wrong product tells you everything you need to know about why this step matters. Call us before the floor goes in, not after.

The right underlayment depends on what's going above it and what's happening below it. LVP over a concrete slab needs a different product than hardwood over a wood subfloor. Multi-family builds have different acoustic demands than single-family homes. Subfloor condition, moisture levels, radiant heat, and whether the manufacturer's warranty requires a specific pad thickness all factor into what gets installed. We spec the underlayment to the project, not to whatever's cheapest on the pallet. Cost drivers include floor type, square footage, subfloor condition, and acoustic rating required. Every job is different, contact Strictly Builders Inc for an accurate estimate.

Why underlayment changes the entire floor

01

Noise Reduction

Impact noise, footsteps, dropped items, chair legs scraping, travels through hard floors directly into the subfloor and into the room below. A proper acoustic underlayment breaks that transmission path. The IIC and STC ratings on underlayment products are real measurements, not marketing. We match the rating to what the space actually needs.

02

Moisture Barrier

Concrete slabs off-gas moisture. Wood subfloors in older homes can hold humidity after rain. Without a vapor barrier layer in the underlayment stack, that moisture migrates into flooring adhesive, into locking joints, and into the wear layer. Floors swell, buckle, or delaminate. The fix is always more expensive than the barrier.

03

Subfloor Leveling

Underlayment with compression ratings can absorb minor subfloor irregularities, but it's not a substitute for actual subfloor prep. We assess the subfloor before we spec the pad. If leveling compound or subfloor repair is needed first, we do that work before anything else goes down.

04

Manufacturer Warranty Compliance

Most flooring warranties require a specific underlayment type or thickness. Install the wrong product and the warranty is void before the floor sees a single scratch. We know what each product requires and we install accordingly, so if something fails, the manufacturer can't point to the underlayment as the reason.

How We Work

The installation process, step by step

  1. 01

    Subfloor Assessment

    We check flatness, moisture levels, and structural integrity before any underlayment goes down. Problems at the subfloor level get addressed first. There's no point in a premium acoustic pad on a damaged or uneven base.

  2. 02

    Product Selection

    We match underlayment to the flooring product, the subfloor type, the room's use, and any acoustic or moisture requirements specific to the space. This isn't a one-size decision.

  3. 03

    Installation and Flooring

    Underlayment goes in seamed, taped, and flat. Then the finish floor follows. We handle both steps under the same project so there's no gap between who's responsible for what.

Material Types

Underlayment options by floor type

  1. 01

    Foam Underlayment (LVP and Laminate)

    Standard closed-cell foam is the baseline for floating floors. Some LVP comes with foam pre-attached. We check whether adding a second layer violates the manufacturer's spec before we add anything.

  2. 02

    Cork Underlayment

    Higher acoustic performance than foam, natural moisture resistance, and good compression recovery. Better choice for second-floor installations or anywhere impact noise is a real concern.

  3. 03

    Rubber Underlayment

    The high end of acoustic underlayment. Used in multi-family construction and commercial spaces where STC and IIC ratings are written into the spec. Heavier, more expensive, and worth it when the rating matters.

  4. 04

    Cement Board and Uncoupling Membrane (Tile)

    Tile doesn't float. It bonds. The substrate under tile is cement board or an uncoupling membrane like Schluter Ditra. This is what prevents cracked grout lines when a subfloor flexes. We handle tile shower installation and floor tile with the right substrate for each application.

What separates a good install from a floor you'll pull up in five years

Honestly, the underlayment decisions that cause the most problems aren't made by homeowners. They're made by contractors cutting corners on the part of the job the homeowner can't see. Floating an LVP over concrete without a vapor barrier in a Florida home is a guarantee of moisture problems. We've seen it. We don't do it. Every flooring installation we complete gets the substrate and underlayment it actually needs, not whatever's fastest. And if a subfloor needs repair before anything else happens, we handle that too, rather than covering a problem and handing it back to you six months later. That's true whether we're working on new construction in Saint Johns or a renovation in Fleming Island.
moisture barrier work, professional service in Jacksonville, FL

Connect the underlayment to the rest of the project

Underlayment is part of a larger flooring project. Strictly Builders Inc handles carpet installation, epoxy floor coatings, hardwood, LVP, tile, and custom staining, all under the same project, same contractor. No handoff, no finger-pointing between trades.

Get the underlayment right before the floor goes down

The work that goes under the floor determines how long the floor lasts. Call Strictly Builders Inc before installation starts.

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Frequently asked questions

Does underlayment actually reduce noise between floors?
It depends on the product and how it's installed. Foam underlayment reduces impact noise modestly. Cork and rubber underlayment have measurable IIC and STC ratings that can make a real difference in multi-story homes or condos. The substrate under tile does different work, uncoupling membranes prevent crack transmission but aren't rated for airborne sound. If acoustic performance is the goal, we spec the underlayment to the rating you need.
Is underlayment necessary under LVP on a concrete slab?
Yes, with qualifications. Concrete slabs in Florida off-gas moisture year-round. Most LVP requires a vapor barrier under the floating floor. Some products have one built in, but it's rarely sufficient on a slab without additional protection. Installing LVP directly on concrete without addressing moisture is a common cause of flooring failure within two to three years. We assess slab moisture before we spec anything.
Can underlayment fix an uneven subfloor?
No. Underlayment can absorb very minor irregularities, we're talking fractions of an inch, but it doesn't level a floor. If your subfloor has dips, humps, or damaged sections, those get addressed with leveling compound or subfloor repair before underlayment goes down. Floating a pad over a bad subfloor transfers every imperfection into the finish floor and causes premature wear at the high spots.
Does the type of underlayment affect my flooring warranty?
Often yes. Most flooring manufacturers specify underlayment thickness, compression rating, and sometimes brand compatibility as a warranty condition. Install the wrong product and the warranty is void. This matters most with engineered hardwood and higher-end LVP products. We check the manufacturer's documentation before selecting the underlayment for every project, not after the fact.
Can you add soundproofing underlayment to an existing floor without replacing it?
Not without pulling up the existing floor. Underlayment sits between the subfloor and the finish surface. It can't be retrofitted once a floor is installed. If noise is the problem after the fact, the options are replacing the floor entirely with the correct underlayment stack, or adding mass to the ceiling of the room below. We can walk you through both approaches.
What underlayment goes under hardwood floors?
It depends on whether the hardwood is solid or engineered, and whether it's nailed, glued, or floating. Solid hardwood nailed to a wood subfloor typically uses a rosin paper or felt underlayment. Engineered hardwood floating installations can use foam or cork. Glue-down installations over concrete may require a specific membrane. The wrong choice under solid hardwood can cause squeaking, movement, or void the manufacturer's warranty.

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