This lesson came from a flooring update in a home in Salt Lake City, Utah. I thought underlayment was just a minor detail, but it turned out to matter more than expected.
Before photo – old flooring and exposed subfloor.
At first, I picked the cheapest underlayment option. After laying a small section, the floor felt slightly soft and uneven underfoot. It wasn’t obvious until I walked across it a few times.
During renovation – underlayment being rolled out.
I removed that section and switched to a thicker, moisture-resistant underlayment. It cost more and added time, but the difference was noticeable immediately. One seam still wasn’t perfectly aligned, so I taped it twice to be safe.
After photo – finished flooring.
The floor now feels solid and quieter to walk on. If you’re renovating in Salt Lake City, don’t overlook underlayment — it affects comfort just as much as the flooring itself.
Honest Tip
Cutting corners on materials usually shows up later.