Acoustical and energy absorbent flooring underlayment

Abstract

Disclosed is an acoustical flooring underlayment comprised of an energy absorbing layer formed from a polymeric gel, a first moisture barrier for engaging a subfloor and optionally a second moisture barrier for engaging hard flooring. The energy absorbing layer includes a first side surface, a second side surface and a plurality of edge surfaces. The flooring underlayment provides sound attenuating and energy absorbing properties to a flooring underlayment.

1 . A flooring underlayment comprising:
 an energy absorbing layer formed from a polymeric gel;   a first moisture barrier for engaging a subfloor and a second moisture barrier for engaging a flooring.   
   
   
       2 . The flooring underlayment of  claim 1 , wherein the energy absorbing layer includes a first side surface, a second side surface and a plurality of edge surfaces. 
   
   
       3 . The flooring underlayment of  claim 2 , wherein a first moisture barrier is laminated to the first side surface of the energy absorbing layer and includes at least one edge surface laying flush with a corresponding one of the edge surfaces of the energy absorbing layer and at least one edge surface projecting past a corresponding one of the edge surfaces of the energy absorbing layer. 
   
   
       4 . The flooring underlayment of  claim 3 , wherein a second moisture barrier is laminated to the second side surface of the energy absorbing layer and includes plural edge surfaces, each of which corresponds to and lays flush with one of the edge surfaces of the energy absorbing layer.