The laminate upstairs echoes loudly — can underlayment be upgraded after installation?

Laminate that echoes or sounds hollow underfoot is one of the most common complaints we hear — and unfortunately, upgrading the underlayment after installation requires removing the floor first.

Why the Echo Happens

Laminate is a floating floor, meaning it isn't glued or nailed down — it sits on top of the subfloor with only underlayment between them. When that underlayment is thin, cheap, or has compressed over time, sound travels easily through the floor and amplifies between the laminate and the subfloor below. In a two-storey home, this also transmits impact noise down to the main floor, which is a separate (but related) problem.

What "Upgrading" Actually Involves

To replace the underlayment, a contractor needs to float up the laminate planks, remove the old underlayment, install the new product, and re-lay the floor. The good news is that click-lock laminate can often be disassembled and reinstalled without damage, provided the planks are handled carefully and none are broken or warped. The bad news is that this is a full day's labour for most rooms, and some boards near walls or doorways may need to be cut and can't be reused.

What Underlayment Actually Fixes the Problem

Not all underlayment is equal for sound. Look for products with an IIC (Impact Insulation Class) rating of 60+ and an STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating of 60+ for meaningful noise reduction between floors. Premium options like cork underlayment (3–6mm), rubber-cork blends, or acoustic foam with a built-in vapour barrier make a noticeable difference. Standard 2mm foam — what many builders use — does very little for sound.

Ottawa-Specific Context

In Ottawa's older two-storey homes especially, subfloor thickness and joist spacing can make echo worse. If your subfloor has any flex or bounce, that should be addressed at the same time — a rigid subfloor transmits less sound regardless of underlayment. Expect to pay roughly $1.50 – $3.00 per sq ft for the labour to pull up and reinstall laminate, plus the cost of premium underlayment ($0.75 – $1.50 per sq ft).

Your Next Steps

Before committing to a full pull-up, have a contractor assess whether the echo is coming from underlayment compression, subfloor flex, or the laminate product itself — because sometimes the floor needs replacing rather than just the underlayment. If you'd like an honest assessment of your specific situation, Ottawa Floor Install offers free consultations and can tell you exactly what's causing the problem before any work begins.