{"product_id":"5mm-rubber-underlayment","title":"5mm Rubber Underlayment","description":"\u003ch2\u003e5mm Rubber Underlayment — Better Sound Performance Than 12mm Cork or Foam, at a Lower Cost\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot all underlayments perform equally, and thickness alone doesn’t determine sound insulation performance. Our \u003cstrong\u003e5mm rubber underlayment\u003c\/strong\u003e is proven to outperform thicker alternatives — including 12mm cork and 12mm foam — for sound reduction. That’s the case for rubber: dense, non-porous, and dimensionally stable, it dampens impact sound more effectively than softer materials that compress and lose performance over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf sound insulation is your primary reason for adding underlayment, the 5mm is the right choice. You get top-tier acoustic performance in a manageable 5mm profile, without paying for a thick commercial underlayment you don’t need. Made in the USA, backed by a \u003cstrong\u003e5-year warranty\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy 5mm Rubber Outperforms Thicker Cork and Foam Alternatives\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProven sound performance advantage\u003c\/strong\u003e — dense rubber at 5mm delivers superior impact sound insulation (IIC) compared to 12mm cork or foam; rubber’s non-porous density is what drives acoustic performance, not thickness alone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDoesn’t compress out of performance\u003c\/strong\u003e — foam and cork compress under furniture and foot traffic over time, losing their acoustic properties; rubber maintains its density and performance for the life of the floor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMold and mildew resistant\u003c\/strong\u003e — rubber doesn’t hold water or create the conditions mold needs to grow; the 5mm performs in basements, below-grade spaces, and areas with humidity variation without degrading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater-resistant without a vapor barrier\u003c\/strong\u003e — in most above-grade and at-grade installations, the 5mm eliminates the need for a separate vapor barrier (verify with your flooring manufacturer’s warranty requirements)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInstalls over concrete or wood\u003c\/strong\u003e — no adhesive, no special subfloor prep; unroll, butt seams, and install flooring on top; also works in free-floating assemblies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompetitively priced vs. alternatives\u003c\/strong\u003e — at $0.74\/sqft, the 5mm delivers the highest acoustic performance per dollar in our underlayment lineup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere 5mm Rubber Underlayment Gets Used\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eApartments and condos with IIC sound requirements\u003c\/strong\u003e — the 5mm’s sound performance helps meet building codes and HOA requirements for impact insulation in multi-story residential buildings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnder laminate and LVP flooring\u003c\/strong\u003e where reducing walking noise to rooms below is the top priority\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnder engineered and solid hardwood\u003c\/strong\u003e in second-story rooms where sound transmission to the floor below is a concern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHome theaters and media rooms\u003c\/strong\u003e where impact sound isolation is critical for the listening environment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBasement gyms and exercise rooms\u003c\/strong\u003e over concrete where the combination of sound dampening, anti-fatigue cushion, and moisture resistance all matter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAny installation where cork or foam underlayment has underperformed\u003c\/strong\u003e — if you’ve tried thicker foam or cork and still have noise issues, the 5mm rubber is the upgrade path\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Confetti\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSizes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4’ x 25’ (100 sqft)  |  4’ x 50’ (200 sqft)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.80 lbs\/sqft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Recycled rubber\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Made in the USA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInstallation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loose-lay over concrete or wood subfloor; free-floating assembly compatible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Use Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e At or above grade (suitable for at-grade with moisture precautions)\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompare Underlayment Thicknesses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eThickness\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest For\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePrice\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/2mm-rubber-underlayment\"\u003e2mm\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGarage tiles, interlocking floors, lowest-profile applications\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/3mm-rubber-underlayment\"\u003e3mm\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLaminate, LVP, hardwood, modular tiles — everyday hard surface base\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5mm ← You Are Here\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum sound performance — outperforms 12mm cork \u0026amp; foam\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e$$\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/12mm-rubber-underlayment\"\u003e12mm\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommercial spaces, synthetic turf, maximum cushion \u0026amp; absorption\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e$$$\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow does 5mm rubber outperform thicker cork or foam?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSound insulation in underlayment is driven by the material’s density and resilience, not just its thickness. Dense rubber transmits less impact energy through its structure than porous materials like cork or foam. A 5mm rubber pad maintains consistent density under load; cork and foam compress over time and lose IIC performance. The result is that our 5mm rubber consistently outperforms 12mm alternatives in real-world impact sound testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo I need a vapor barrier with the 5mm underlayment?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn most at-grade and above-grade installations, no — rubber doesn’t absorb water, so it inherently manages minor moisture at the subfloor level. For below-grade basement installations or flooring over slabs with known moisture issues, a 6-mil poly vapor barrier under the underlayment is still the safest approach. Always verify your flooring manufacturer’s specific warranty requirements before omitting a vapor barrier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use the 5mm under rubber gym flooring?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, particularly in basement gyms over concrete where you want sound isolation from the room below and anti-fatigue cushion at the subfloor level. The 5mm adds a meaningful layer of cushion and sound dampening under rubber rolls or mats. Note that for rubber gym flooring, the underlayment is supplemental — your rubber gym floor itself provides the primary cushion and protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs the 5mm suitable for commercial installations?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor commercial spaces with high foot traffic and strict sound requirements, the 5mm handles light-to-moderate commercial use. For heavy commercial environments with large equipment, substantial foot traffic, and maximum acoustic demands, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/12mm-rubber-underlayment\"\u003e12mm\u003c\/a\u003e is the commercial-grade choice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rubber Flooring Store","offers":[{"title":"Confetti - $0.74\/sqft \/ 4' x 25'","offer_id":50865418764599,"sku":"5mmRubberUnderlayment-4'x25'-Confetti","price":74.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Confetti - $0.74\/sqft \/ 4' x 50'","offer_id":50865420697911,"sku":"5mmRubberUnderlayment-4'x50'-Confetti","price":148.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0846\/8021\/2791\/files\/RFS_underlay_roll_end-5mm.jpg?v=1761659234","url":"https:\/\/rubberflooring.store\/products\/5mm-rubber-underlayment","provider":"Rubber Flooring Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}