If you don’t use an underlay, your beautiful laminate flooring will be prone to damage as well as wear and tear. Does the extra underlayment padding make up for or fill these areas for smoother more consistent and levelness of the floor? We hope to make your home remodeling and maintaining a more positive experience. My main concern it noise. Even if he used the best padding available you would still hear some noises. With over 20 years, QuietWalk has been the leading underlayment for laminate flooring installations. Once you have a smooth surface area to work with, you’ll need to decide if you want to install an underlayment. © 2020 MP Global Products (All Rights Reserved), QuietWarmth Floor Heating for Laminate and Floating Floors, QuietWarmth Floor Heating for Tile Flooring, QuietWarmth Floor Heating for Existing Floors, Underlayment for Laminate Flooring Pre-Attached Underlayment, Hardwood Floor Underlayment – Ultimate Underlayment Guide. Normal to high weight stress-loads allow your floor to naturally flex. If you have any more questions, you can visit our Help Pages or give us a call at 1-800-520-0961! Can I Use Carpet as Underlay for Laminate Flooring? View QuietWalk – Underlayment for Laminate Flooring. The padding that is attached to your flooring is not suitable by itself as a moisture barrier. Underlayment is the layer between your subfloor and the new floor. If you need help purchasing the proper underlayment, please email us at support@bestlaminate.com or give us a call at 800-520-0961. With many different underlayment options and flooring types available to the consumer, we will list the benefits of underlayment and what to look for in underlayments. The 2mm thickness P.E poly foam underlay offers some sound reduction and thermal insulation, but doesn’t come with a DPM. It also makes them look great: straight and even and ready for all types of enjoyment! Do I need underlayment for laminate flooring over vinyl? Laminate flooring is installed using a "free-float" method where the flooring is not mounted to the sub-floor. The flooring I am looking to purchase has an attached pad. If you are installing in a “wet” area such as a bathroom or kitchen, you might want to consider getting a vapor barrier, such as Visqueen Vapor Barrier, to help protect your subfloor from any mold or mildew damage, should there be any leaks from the joints of the floor. So, an additional underlay is … It is rolled out between the actual laminate flooring planks and the subfloor.Very often, particularly in a below-grade installation on a concrete basement floor, a vapor barrier is recommended in addition to the underlayment. I am getting ready to install laminate flooring over a relatively level and smooth basement concrete floor. – Brittany. What about concrete level imperfections? Must I remove the carpet before installing laminate flooring? If your subfloor underneath your vinyl flooring is wood, you can use a simple Standard underlayment. This could most likely be coming from their underlayment. The underlayment is installed as a cushion and sound barrier between the sub-floor and laminate flooring. – Brittany, We have purchased a new laminate floor to be installed this week in our house, which comes with a cushy pad at the bottom of the pieces…we have also purchased a premium upgraded extra underlayment pad, alongwith the plastic Visqueen plastic vapor barrior sheet…do we absolutely need the extra premium pad? Areone, yes you need at least a 6mil plastic underlayment, also known as Visqueen, underneath your laminate flooring. I know there are not hardwoods underneath, but not sure what IS under it. Underlayment is either pre-attached to the bottom of the laminate flooring by the manufacturer or it is installed separately by the user. Buying Guides The question that stands is in what ways will this installation benefit you and your family? Good Luck. Usually the sub-floor consists of either concrete … If you are going over a wood sub-floor and if your laminate already has the pad attached then no more underlayment is required. Should I lay it over a 6mil plastic (laying over a ground floor concete), Jackie, normally the plastic faces the concrete and the felt part faces up however I do not know which manufacturer made the underlayment so I would check with the manufacturer on that issue. Let us know if you have any other questions! Underlay for laminate flooring comes in many different varieties, each designed to make your floors last longer. In order to install laminate flooring, you need the following: Materials. Thanks! Do I Need Laminate Flooring Underlayment? But with concrete? -Brittany. It’s best to talk with one of our flooring consultants, who can help you make a decision based on the manufacturer you select. How to Select Underlayment for Laminate Flooring. While this will be a guest room and not used ALL the time, I am not concerned about excessive noise. Do you need an underlay for laminate flooring on wood When choosing an underlayment, a plywood subfloor is usually more straightforward than concrete. Due to the vinyl flooring design, it’s usually not necessary for an underlay. Would I still need the visqueen vapor barrier? Hi Paul, thanks for your question! I have a latex allergy and am trying to find an underlayment I can use. An underlay is important for many good reasons. We wanted to add clean indoor air quality to the benefits as it is the last and unseen benefits most homeowners think about. Hello – Brittany, I would like to buy some thin flooring foam rubber underlay, but I only need 2m x 450. Sold as cut lengths to the nearest 1m2. Having compression resistant underlayment allows a structural foundation to your floors. You would still need an underlayment between the vinyl flooring and the laminate flooring so that the laminate flooring can expand and contract properly. While the subfloor provides the foundational support for the room, the underlayment is what supports the flooring material itself, intended to enhance and protect the flooring. Laminate flooring packs, Underlay for laminate flooring; Adhesive tape; Wood glue, spacers 1/3” – 0.8 cm . Twice I have had to call the flooring company to have them fix my buckling floor. QuietWalk’s compression resistance exceeds the requirement for pre-attached flooring that is greater than 29 psi @50% per ASTM D1667. However, you'll want to use one in every other application including covering existing hardwood floors, vinyl flooring that isn't cushioned, and concrete floors. No underlayment can fix the issue in the crawl space. Thank you for your question. Underlayment adds warmth and softness and, more importantly, increases the durability of your new floor. I am just concerned because I am now also reading about moisture etc. ... You are Using a Concrete Subfloor. This really depends on the type of vinyl you are installing. As well as our laminate installation guide you may also want to read our guide on how to cut laminate flooring if you plan to do the work yourself. Sine then we hear everything, ie children running, pulling chair out from table etc.. Is there a fix to this or what kind of sound barrier should the unit owner have used, Hello Hiep, In most cases the use of an additional underlayment underneath of laminate with pre-attached padding will not only void the warranty but it will also most likely cause your floor to feel flimsy because of too much cushion underneath. Most manufacturers will not accept additional underlayment under their pre-attached underlayment due to increase of claims. Moisture really wouldn’t be a concern here unless you are installing it over a crawl space. If you are going over a wood sub-floor and if your laminate already has the pad attached then no more underlayment is required. Deborah, unfortunately if you are hearing noises there is not really a way to quiet them down too much. Laminate flooring is made out of composed resin and fiber board materials with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer. You can not use carpet underlayment for laminate flooring installation- too thick padding may damage or make unstable locking system, so stay away from it. Moisture will get through, so even if you don’t add an additional underlay, you do need to seal the concrete. What is The Best Acoustic Underlay for Laminate Flooring? However, because laminate is thinner than other flooring types, it will most likely simulate any imperfect… Installing floors above an uneven surface can lead to imbalance and discomfort underfoot. Best foam which can be attached to laminate … If you don’t add underlayment to your Pergo floors, you’ll violate the floor’s warranty. There’s a base layer in most cases when using the vinyl floor. Hi Savannah, thank you for your question. Once the concrete is prepped, proceed with installing the laminate on top as you would over any other type of subfloor. Quick Therm Laminate Underlay. Jay, all laminate flooring needs a foam padding to put down regardless of what is done to the subfloor – so I would recommend getting a foam pad with a vapor barrier. I purchased a laminate floor with a backing attached. Prerequisites for Installation. The flooring is actually on top of the sub-floor without the use of nails or fasteners. Extend the underlayment all the way to the walls. If you need help with selecting proper underlayment, check our guide below: After you’ve selected your underlayment, you should know how to install it properly. Laminate underlayment is a soft pad that is installed under laminate flooring. If you laminate already has the underlayment attached and you are going over concrete then all you would need is the plastic visqueen vapor barrier. If the house is older , or there is a doubt regarding possible moisture in the concrete subfloor , then laminate can be laid on a bituminous reinforced underlay designed for that purpose . WHICH SIDE SHOULD LAY ON TOP OF THE CONCRETE THE FELT OR THE PLASTIC ? With plywood subfloor- that’s totally enough. However your flooring can cause heat gain or loss. Do You Need Underlay for Laminate Flooring Written by: Will Woolley The need for an underlay for your flooring can very well influence your decision to buy a laminate floor, especially given the expensive cost of an underlay. If you are using click lock, then underlay can be installed with vinyl that is at least 4mm thick. There are different types and thicknesses of underlayment. Our upstairs neighbor laid down laminate flooring. then the expansion gap should be at least 3/8″. To break it down, here are the main reasons you need underlayment: Provides support – Underlayment allows floors, such as laminate, to float, giving the floor’s locking system support while also smoothing minor subfloor imperfections. As most DIY homeowners installs their underlayment, they might notice a harsh odor. Other tougher materials such as hardwood or tile can bridge small holes, gaps, and pits in uneven subfloors. Fred, I have had laminate flooring installed in a room built on a concrete floor (the last week of June, 2011). Once you've fitted your underlay you can start laying laminate on concrete. First and foremost, some subfloors are not laid perfectly and flat. But with concrete, it also needs to have a moisture barrier. Best underlay for laminate flooring is foam because it is simple to install, it is a good sound barrier, and is very cost effective. What is the best underlayment to reduce the hollow sound when you walk on it? And it is enough to serve the purpose of an underlay. Level, tape measure, chisel, Rubber hammer, hammer; Jig saw, vacuum cleaner / broom; Clamps, spacers . My laminate has rubber pad. (21) Suitable for Use with … In regards to the buckling that is usually caused by too small of an expansion gap. Could you tell me if your product has rubber in it? Would I need a vapour barrier on top of the vinyl flooring then laminate over top or can I lay down my laminate without any underlayments. It will cause the planks to separate and not lock, not to mention the potential to void any warranty you may have with it. The concrete subfloor must be sufficiently strong to safely support the flooring, furniture, and people in the room. My ph 09 3765514, Hi Zhi! Can you use QuietWalk Underlayment for Pergo Flooring? I am installing over a plank flooring on the second floor of my home. Laminate is generally laid on a proprietary underlay which cushions the floor and acts as a vapour barrier ! Individuals who installed QuietWalk comments their laminate flooring sound more real like hardwood due to the QuietWalk underlayment installed. Sound: Laminate flooring is so thin that it needs underlayment’s extra help to feel and act like real wood. If you have any quesitons, please let us know either by email or call us at (888) 379-9695. We don’t recommend anything above 3mm underlayment underneath laminate because if it is too thick it will eventually cause your laminate to buckle. If you are laying a floor on a concrete or screed sub-floor then you must use a damp proof membrane (DPM) and tape all the joints up with vapour barrier tape. What you would be looking for is an underlayment, such as Floor Muffler LVT or Perfect Mat LVT. Best laminate flooring underlay for concrete floors. Hi May – Thank you for your question! Hi Vickie! If removing it is not necessary, can I install on top of the carpet without underlayment? But you’ll need to be sure you have the best underlay for laminate flooring in your room before you start. Thank you, Jay. If your vinyl flooring is glued down and is in good condition, you can absolutely install laminate flooring right on top of it. It’s a given that laminate does require a layer of underlayment. Unless your flooring comes with an attached underlay, you probably need a separate underlay. If you are using a paper or fiber sheet underlayment, leave an inch or two extra that you can trim off after you've installed the flooring. I am purchasing laminate flooring for a 2nd floor bedroom. Required fields are marked *. If the imperfections are major (more than 1/2″) then you would want to level the spots with concrete mix or self- leveler to level it out. In this article, we will go over what things you need to look for and what our recommendation is. Can I put laminate right over top of the vinyl without removing it? It currently has carpeting which will be ripped out. If there is moisture coming up from the room that you are laying the laminate in you are going to want to get a moisture barrier to protect your laminate. Structurally Sound. This video is about how to installing the underlayment for laminate flooring installation on wood. Tools. Bestlaminate Check for cracks and crumbling. Regardless of your subfloor, you always need to use a thin underlay with laminate flooring. If you concrete imperfections are not major (no more than 1/2″) I wouldn’t worry about it too much it should be fine. LVT Underlayment – Everything You Need To Know. It depends on the product you’ll be installing. The flooring associate at The Home Depot Canada suggested using vapour barrier with tuck tape to seal the concrete. I would not recommend for you to put underlayment underneath of your laminate. Nätura foam underlay is ideal for use with laminate or wood flooring. Your email address will not be published. If you want to get the best performance and long-lasting quality from your laminate floor, you need to install it with an underlay. Underlayment with a built-in vapor barrier provides the protection you need from moisture. Assuming that the concrete flooring is strong enough to support the … Why do you need to worry about moisture for your flooring? If it is commercial carpet that is very thin and glued down to cement and there is no padding underneath it then you don’t have to remove the carpet, but if it is just normal carpet with the padding then yes you should absolutely remove the carpet and use the recommended underlayment depending on if you are going over wood or concrete. The two most important factors you need to consider when choosing an underlay for laminate flooring, is the type of sub-floor you have in the room, on which the floor will be fitted and the kind of insulation you want to provide to it. If moisture from your subfloor (concrete or wood) get to the fiber board material, your flooring will absorb the moisture and start to bow or warp. Acoustic Polyolefin Foam Underlay 20m² (4720R)4.8 out of 5 stars. Laying laminate flooring on concrete. Flooring underlayment has some type of R-values that help improve your comfort underfoot. The noise level will depend on what you are putting the laminate down on and if it is a sturdy subfloor, etc. Underlayment for laminate flooring provides proper support, stability, noise reduction and helps the click lock system to provide a structurally sound floor. THANK YOU, With the various amounts of underlayment on the market, how do you know what to pick? QuietWalk currently has Green Guard Gold certification allowing our underlayment to be installed in hospital or government buildings. Installation of flooring underlayment is easy as 1-2-3, all you have to do to is to measure, cut and lay down your padding. Is Electric Floor Heating Expensive to Run? For Laminate Flooring, calculate how many packs you’ll need by working out the surface area of the room by multiplying the length and width together. That vapor barrier would go between the subfloor and the underlayment. This is because concrete subfloors release moisture which can be very damaging if absorbed by the laminate planks. Good Luck. Thinking it might go away overtime and it might, but still can give off-gasses of harmful chemicals. Tips. Make sure that the expansion gap along the wall is at least 1/4″ along the entire perimeter of your flooring installation. This underlay is ideally used over wood or chipboard subfloors. If you're laying the LVP over an existing cushion-backed vinyl floor or a below-grade tile floor, then you won't need to use an underlayment. Consider sound transmission. I hope this helps. Bestlaminate’s blog is dedicated to you by making the home improvement process easier and more affordable. Can I install underlayment under laminate with attached padding? This is where underlayment can do the trick. You do not need foam padding under solid hardwood for many reasons, and one reason is because hardwood alone limits the transmission of sound, both within the room and to floors below. Disclaimer: Please read your flooring manufacturers installation instructions. I’m looking to put laminate flooring down in my kitchen. How do you choose the best underlayment for laminate flooring on concrete? It currently has vinyl flooring. But the hard laminate material doesn't lie directly onto that surface; it needs a layer of underlay, or underlayment, to cushion the laminate planks … If your installing laminate flooring aka floating floor can be at risk of absorbing moisture from your cement subfloor. The high compression resistance assures that the underlayment will not contribute to floor decoupling. Compression resistance also allows to hide minor subfloor imperfections and protect the click lock mechanism to provide a solid foundation. If you laminate already has the underlayment attached and you are going over concrete then all you would need is the plastic visqueen vapor barrier. One of the most common laminate flooring questions is ‘Do I need laminate flooring underlayment?’ Laminate flooring underlayment is essential for installation as it allows to laminate flooring to expand and contract properly on top of the subfloor. Laminate is a wood product and will expand according to the climate of the room. Insulating is usually thought of adding to walls, roof, windows and doors. JACKIE DUICK, Pingback: Floating Floor » Blog Archive » 6 Easy Steps How To Prepare Subfloor For Laminate Flooring Installation, Pingback: 6 Easy Steps How To Prepare Subfloor For Laminate Flooring Installation | Bruce Hardwood Floor Cleaner, Your email address will not be published.