The Only Underlayment that 
Includes a 6 Mil Vapor Barrier

The Only Waterproof Underlayment with a Built-In 6 Mil Vapor Barrier

Most flooring manufacturers require the installation of a 6 mil vapor barrier to protect flooring products against moisture. ECF is the ONLY underlayment with a built-in 6 mil moisture/vapor barrier. This Class 1 vapor barrier offers the highest level of moisture protection available.

In particular, ECF is the ideal underlayment for use on concrete subfloors, including basement applications. Because the vapor barrier is bonded to the underlayment, there is no potential for moisture accumulation between the vapor barrier and underlayment.

ECF saves time and money by eliminating the need to purchase a separate vapor barrier and pay for additional installation time.

Water Vapor Transmission >

Why it Matters

Many a homeowner has been surprised to discover that a seemingly dry floor has been damaged due to moisture permeating from the subfloor beneath it. Regardless of the material, whether it’s a concrete or wood subfloor, moisture and moisture vapors will inevitably escape over time. The cumulative effect can be devastating to your floor. When it comes to keeping your new flooring safe from moisture, here are some sources of moisture to watch out for.

First of all, there are the obvious spills, leaks and accidents that initiate at the flooring surface. In the absence of a waterproof barrier, such liquids can become trapped against the subfloor or within a permeable underlayment. Eco Cork Foam is impermeable to moisture throughout, and its top surface is also bonded to a 6 mil vapor barrier, making it easier to stop and remove moisture.

In addition to spills from above, the moisture content of your subfloor can play a large role in the health of your floors. Concrete subfloors in particular contain moisture, which can migrate upward and into the base of your flooring material. Eco Cork Foam’s 6 mil vapor barrier prevents this moisture from reaching and damaging floors.

Check out these blog posts to learn more:
Protecting Your New Floor from Moisture >
The Benefits of Using Our Waterproof Flooring Underlayment >
3 Sources of Moisture that Can Damage Your Laminate Flooring >
Our Moisture Barrier Floor Underlayment Can Help Prevent Mold Growth >

Infused with Antimicrobial Protection

No matter what type of flooring you have, you can’t avoid dirt and moisture. You can, however, prevent dirt and moisture from attracting bacteria that can smell, stain and damage your floor. ECF underlayment is infused with high-performance antimicrobial technology. ECF prevents microbial growth, making it inhospitable to bacteria. Our antimicrobial protection provides odor control and stain protection and prevents product degradation.

Why it Matters

Even the cleanest among us has had to reconcile with the idea that microbes can’t be eliminated without a fight. Over time, dirt and moisture find their way to the underside of flooring. Once there, dirt and moisture remain trapped on top of the underlayment. Typical underlayment becomes colonized with microbes that can eventually eat away at the underlayment, generating unwanted musty odors and unsightly staining in the process.

Eco Cork Foam Underlayment, on the other hand, is infused throughout with high-performance antimicrobial protection. It works by creating an inhospitable environment for microbes, one that makes it difficult for them to feed, grow and multiply. In addition to being effective at fighting odors and staining caused by bacterial and fungal growth, it can help protect the underlayment from material breakdown caused by microbial growth.

Installing Eco Cork Foam Underlayment in your home means that you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes knowing your flooring underlayment is protected from microbial growth. The tangible result is a longer-lasting, durable underlayment product that will stay cleaner and fresher and contribute to better indoor air quality.

Check out these blog posts to learn more:
Peace of Mind Antimicrobial Protection >
How the Pandemic Changed Flooring >
Indoor Air Quality >

Serious Insulation and Draft Reduction

At 1/8″, or 3.2mm, thick, ECF is roughly twice as thick as the competition. This density equates to an R-value of 0.48, which means that ECF provides serious insulation, not to mention its capacity to reduce drafts. More padding also means more cushion beneath your feet. That’s a benefit that tired toes and joints will undoubtedly appreciate. ECF easily smooths out subfloor imperfections and promotes even weight distribution to prevent floor damage. Smoother subfloors make for stronger joints, more stable floors and, ultimately, longer floor life.

Thermal Transmission (R-Value) >

Why it Matters

For many homeowners, adding an underlayment to their floor is a game-changer in terms of comfort. With any flooring, adding a layer of cushion and insulation beneath it can significantly improve the experience. The comfort that comes from 1/8″ of foam and cork beneath it is an experience your feet and joints will appreciate.

Eco Cork Foam’s polyethylene and granulated cork blend delivers the perfect balance of comfort and insulation, achieving thermal insulation rated to an R-value of 0.48. This added layer of insulation can provide considerable comfort for rigid flooring surfaces. While carpet boasts an R-value between 0.70 and 1.05, materials such as vinyl come in at 0.20, with laminate rating around 0.30, and thinner, engineered wood products registering at 0.25. When you factor in the beneficial improvements provided by our laminate and hardwood flooring underlayment, it should be easy to understand why Eco Cork Foam is so valuable for creating warm, welcoming surfaces.

Check out these blog posts to learn more:
Tired of Cold Floors? Eco Cork Foam Underlayments Can Keep Your Floors Warm! >
All About Radiant Heat >

The Safest, Most Environmentally Responsible Choice

ECF is the safest and most environmentally responsible choice for flooring underlayment. ECF is non-toxic and family- and pet-friendly and has ultra-low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Made from a proprietary process that merges Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified cork with cross-linked polyethylene foam, ECF uses no proposition 65 chemicals and surpasses California’s Section 01350, the most stringent VOCs emissions standards in North America. ECF is infused with antimicrobial protection to prevent microbial growth and promote a lifetime of freshness.

Leach Emissions >
CAL 01350 Emissions Test Results >

Why it Matters

Depending on your lifestyle, it may surprise you to learn that most people spend 90% of their time indoors. When you think about that amount of time and exposure, it really impacts the choices you make about the products in your home. That’s why for many people, the most important features of Eco Cork Foam are the things you don’t see, and the things that aren’t part of the product.

Given all the time we spend indoors, it may also surprise you to learn that indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air. If you’re looking for ways to improve air quality, flooring is an easy place to start. Look for flooring and underlayment, like Eco Cork Foam, that has been tested and shown to have low or no VOCs.

Eco Cork Foam is made in the U.S.A. and, as such, has passed the high standards set by the U.S. EPA when it comes to indoor air quality and environmental safety. Eco Cork Foam also passes California’s rigorous standards for proposition 65 chemicals. When you use Eco Cork Foam Underlayment, you can breathe a lot easier at home.

Check out these blog posts to learn more:
Indoor Air Quality >
Why We Call it Eco Cork Foam >

Roughly Twice as Thick as the Competition

At 1/8″, or 3.2mm, thick, ECF is roughly twice as thick as the competition. This thickness translates into a layer of cushion beneath your floors that your feet and joints will appreciate. This padding also smooths out subfloor imperfections and promotes even weight distribution to prevent floor damage. ECF makes for stronger joints, more stable floors and longer floor life. With an R-value of 0.48, ECF also insulates floors and reduces drafts.

Why it Matters

Almost every type of flooring requires some amount of cushion between it and the subfloor below. Most flooring manufacturers will include recommendations for underlayment to help select the best product for your flooring. Likewise, most manufacturer warranties are contingent on following the recommended minimums.

Underlayments provide valuable protection for your flooring. Beginning with the bottom up, underlayments smooth out minor subfloor imperfections, ensuring your floor lays correctly to protect and preserve tongue-and-groove connections. Comfort, warmth and noise are other benefits that come with a premium thickness.

Quality underlayments are used to improve acoustical properties by minimizing the sounds caused by foot traffic and by reducing the transmission of sounds. Likewise, a good underlayment can improve insulation properties, reduce walking fatigue and help your flooring to feel better under your feet. If you’ve ever walked barefoot across a soft, warm, solid floor and took notice, the odds are high that it was a quality underlayment that made it memorable.

Check out these blog posts to learn more:
Frequently Asked Questions >
Some Sound Advice >
Not All Underlayments with Cork Are the Same >
Vinyl Flooring 101 >

Superior Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction

ECF offers superior sound insulation and noise reduction, making it an excellent choice for commercial and residential applications such as multifamily units, multilevel homes and condominiums. ECF’s acoustical ratings, as measured by a certified, third-party laboratory, are among the highest in the industry. Quality construction and materials ensure that ECF’s sound insulation is durable, lasting as long as the product itself.

Acoustical Report – IIC >
Acoustical Report – STC (Engineered Wood Flooring) >
Acoustical Report – STC (Laminate Flooring) >
Acoustical Report – STC (Hardwood Flooring) >
Acoustical Report – Delta IIC >

Why it Matters

Acoustical ratings may seem overly technical, but they are simply a measurement of two different types of sound: impact and airborne sound transmission.

Impact Insulation Class (IIC) refers to the ability to block sounds from impact. Imagine your upstairs neighbor repeatedly dropping their cell phone on the floor, your teenager taking up weightlifting, or your daughter playing dress-up and clomping around in heels right above your home office. IIC ratings measure the number of decibels your flooring resists. The higher the number, the quieter the floor.

Delta IIC tests the impact insulation of the underlayment alone. Delta IIC is basically comparing two IIC tests on the same concrete subfloor. A higher number shows better performance. One test measures impact sound on a bare concrete floor. The other test measures sound on the same subfloor with underlayment only. The difference between the two tests is the Delta IIC rating, a value notably lower than IIC ratings because the value of the subfloor itself is eliminated in the comparison.

Sound Transmission Class (STC) tests airborne sound transmission. To understand this rating, imagine your upstairs neighbor is hosting fantasy football tournaments, your teenager has quit fitness and is learning the drums, and your daughter is obsessed with Selena Gomez. Now, imagine these sounds being absorbed by the flooring beneath them. This is sound transmission, and this rating measures the number of decibels that airborne sound is reduced.

Check out these blog posts to learn more:
Some Sound Advice >
The Health Reasons You Need an Acoustical Laminate Underlayment >

Engineered for Easy Installation

ECF Underlayment is engineered for easy installation with a built-in 6 mil vapor barrier and self-sealing tape. ECF is made from a proprietary process that merges FSC-certified cork with cross-linked polyethylene foam to create a product that is thicker and stronger than the competition. ECF is easy to cut but won’t tear or rip during installation. As the only underlayment with a built-in vapor barrier, ECF eliminates the need to purchase a separate barrier and avoids added installation costs.

Another great resource is our blog, where we provide technical information and answers to all your questions. Check out our Installation FAQs for answers to questions like these:

• Can you use ECF Underlayment in a nail-down application? Is it ok to drive nails through it?
• When using ECF Underlayment, what kind of tape is recommended for use around the perimeter or to adjoin the ends of each roll?
• Do I need to staple the underlayment to the subfloor?
• Can ECF be used with glue-down applications?
• Can ECF be used over existing ceramic tiles as a subfloor with new vinyl plank flooring?
• ECF instructions recommend leaving seams unsealed for wood subfloors. My flooring installer says otherwise. What should I do?
• Why does ECF suggest that the 6 mil vapor barrier be installed facing up when other underlayment products say to place the vapor barrier down first?
• Can ECF be installed with radiant flooring systems?

To find out just how easy it is, check out the installation resources below. If you have any remaining questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team is always available to give advice or answer questions.

Ask More

Not All Underlayments Are the Same

ECF protects your flooring investment in ways that other underlayments can’t. ECF is the only underlayment that can claim to deliver 10 features in every roll. ECF is the only underlayment with a built-in vapor barrier, which offers the highest level of moisture protection available and eliminates the need to purchase a separate barrier and avoids added installation costs. ECF is the only underlayment engineered using a proprietary blend of polyethylene and granulated cork that outperforms the competition in every way, from moisture protection to durability.

Why it Matters

Value is a word that gets tossed around a lot in the home improvement world, and it can have a different meaning depending on who’s doing the speaking. When you read or hear that something is a good value, it’s helpful to know the reasons behind that claim. When we talk about the value of Eco Cork Foam, we’re specifically talking about three things: Is it a good product? Do you need it? Is it worth the price?

You need only look at our reviews at HomeDepot.com to see that 99% of purchasers recommend Eco Cork Foam. Many of these reviews specifically point to performance, ease of use and quality as the drivers behind their positive reviews. ECF Underlayment is a premium product that does more and performs better than the competition. When you factor in the potential cost savings associated with ECF’s built-in 6 mil vapor barrier and the long-term benefits to your flooring system, ECF is well worth the price.

In the words of a satisfied user, “This is one item in a project that should not be skimped on. The quality of the final floor depends a surprising large amount on the underlayment, and Eco Cork Foam has become my top choice.”

Check out these blog posts to learn more:
The Value Equation >
#1 for Concrete Subfloors >
Not All Underlayments with Cork Are the Same >

Thicker and Stronger than the Competition

ECF is made from a proprietary process that merges FSC-certified cork with cross-linked polyethylene foam to create a product that is thicker and stronger than the competition but won’t rip or tear. At 1/8″, or 3.2mm, thick, ECF easily smooths out subfloor imperfections and promotes even weight distribution to prevent floor damage. As ECF smooths and strengthens floor foundations, it protects tongue-and-groove floor connections that are common in flooring applications. Stronger joints mean more stable floors and longer floor life.

Why it Matters

Performance is tied to several factors, and strength is just one. Underlayments provide valuable protection for your flooring. Beginning with the bottom up, underlayments smooth out minor subfloor imperfections, ensuring your floor lays correctly to protect and preserve tongue-and-groove connections. That applies to any flooring type, including laminate, vinyl and wood floors.

When you consider the life of your flooring, it’s easy to see how wear and tear can take a toll on your floor. Having an underlayment that can help share that load and support your flooring can make a big difference. Comfort, warmth and noise are also important considerations. Likewise, a good underlayment can improve insulation properties, reduce walking fatigue and help your flooring to feel better under your feet. If you’ve ever walked barefoot across a soft, warm, solid floor and took notice, the odds are high that it was a quality underlayment that made it memorable.

Check out these blog posts to learn more:
Frequently Asked Questions >
LVP Underlayment Questions >
Top 5 Reasons You Need an Underlayment for Your LVP Project >

Prevents Premature Floor Damage

At 1/8″, or 3.2mm, thick, ECF is stronger and thicker than the competition. ECF’s added substance promotes even weight distribution, thus preventing premature floor damage. Extra padding means ECF can easily smooth out subfloor imperfections and secure tongue-and-groove floor connections. Stronger joints mean more stable floors and longer floor life. More padding also means more cushion, a benefit that feet and joints will most definitely appreciate.

Compression Resistance Strength >

Why it Matters

Performance is tied to several factors, and load-bearing capacity is just one. Underlayments provide valuable protection for your flooring. Beginning with the bottom up, underlayments smooth out minor subfloor imperfections, ensuring your floor lays correctly to protect and preserve tongue-and-groove connections. That applies to any flooring type, including laminate, vinyl and wood floors.

When you consider the life of your flooring, it’s easy to see how wear and tear can take a toll on your floor. Having an underlayment that can help share that load and support your flooring can make a big difference. Comfort, warmth and noise are also important considerations. Likewise, a good underlayment can improve insulation properties, reduce walking fatigue and help your flooring to feel better under your feet. If you’ve ever walked barefoot across a soft, warm, solid floor and took notice, the odds are high that it was a quality underlayment that made it memorable.

Check out these blog posts to learn more:
Frequently Asked Questions >
LVP Underlayment Questions >
Top 5 Reasons You Need an Underlayment for Your LVP Project >
The Top Reasons Why You Need an Underlayment for Hardwood Floors >