Laminate Flooring Underlayment, install, video, instructions

Laminate Flooring Underlayment

If you are looking to get an education in laminate flooring and how to install it we hope you will take a moment to consider what you will never really ever see when the floor is installed. What we are mentioning is the laminate flooring underlayment. There are so many questions that people ask and so many more that are not asked that cause a laminate installation to go bad.

When you are looking to install laminate flooring you will need to pay close attention to understand the underlayment that must be installed. What we would like to do is just go over the basics so you will have the knowledge needed to make some credible decisions when you make your choice to purchase some laminate flooring.

If you are looking to get an education in laminate flooring and how to install it we hope you will take a moment to consider what you will never really ever see when the floor is installed. What we are mentioning is the laminate flooring underlayment. There are so many questions that people ask and so many more that are not asked that cause a laminate installation to go bad.

When you are looking to install laminate flooring you will need to pay close attention to understand the underlayment that must be installed. What we would like to do is just go over the basics so you will have the knowledge needed to make some credible decisions when you make your choice to purchase some laminate flooring.

Whether you are getting discount laminate flooring or whether you are buying itfull price at Lowe’s or The Home Depot, you need to understand the underlayment choices that are ahead. In order to put down a laminate floor you must first decide what type of underlayment to get and that will be determined by the type of laminate flooring you buy. We do not mean Armstrong or Shaw or Pergo, what we refer to is whether or not the flooring you choose has a pad attached to the bottom of the board. If the board has an attached foam or other soft material then you will not need an underlayment other than a simple moisture barrier. A moisture barrier is nothing more than plastic that is laid down to prevent any moisture issues from the sub floor.

Do not try to skimp and buy any moisture barrier other than what is sold specifically designed for flooring. You may be able to save a few dollars shopping in the paint department for a tarp, but there are too many issues that can arise and it can be too difficult to work with overall. Just make sure you use a roll of moisture barrier that is designed to be rolled out on the floor. If your laminate flooring has a foam or other soft material attached it is more than likely a higher end product such as Pergo. You will ALWAYS have to have a moisture barrier present on a laminate floor installation. If you are placing a laminate floor down over a vinyl (linoleum) floor, the vinyl will serve as the moisture barrier.

If your laminate boards, that are to be installed, have no foam or other soft material attached to the bottom then you will need to attach not only a moisture barrier but also a sound barrier. This type of material will be referred to as a 2 in 1 or a 3 in 1. What this refers to is the fact that the product, which is always on a roll, has the cushioning AND a moisture barrier that are bonded together as one. When you roll out the product you will be rolling out not only the moisture barrier but also the sound deadening foam. They are attached to one another.

As you can see, there are always two things that are unseen and under your laminate flooring. One is the sound deadening material, which may or may not be attached to the laminate boards. If it is not on the boards it needs to be in the roll, hence the 2 in 1. The 2 refers to the fact that there are 2 things on the underlayment, one being a moisture block and the other being a sound deadening foam.

So whatever laminate flooring you buy you need to make sure that in some way, some shape and some form you have the moisture barrier and the sound deadening material below the laminate boards. Without those two being present your laminate flooring will not only not last very long, but it will sound cheap and hollow.

Laminate flooring underlayment is where the whole installation begins and if it is done correctly it will never be seen, for the life of the floor. If you ignore the need or cut some corner and do it wrong, you will regret it one way or another…..it is just that important!

Whether you are getting discount laminate flooring or whether you are buying itfull price at Lowe’s or The Home Depot, you need to understand the underlayment choices that are ahead. In order to put down a laminate floor you must first decide what type of underlayment to get and that will be determined by the type of laminate flooring you buy. We do not mean Armstrong or Shaw or Pergo, what we refer to is whether or not the flooring you choose has a pad attached to the bottom of the board. If the board has an attached foam or other soft material then you will not need an underlayment other than a simple moisture barrier. A moisture barrier is nothing more than plastic that is laid down to prevent any moisture issues from the sub floor.

Do not try to skimp and buy any moisture barrier other than what is sold specifically designed for flooring. You may be able to save a few dollars shopping in the paint department for a tarp, but there are too many issues that can arise and it can be too difficult to work with overall. Just make sure you use a roll of moisture barrier that is designed to be rolled out on the floor. If your laminate flooring has a foam or other soft material attached it is more than likely a higher end product such as Pergo. You will ALWAYS have to have a moisture barrier present on a laminate floor installation. If you are placing a laminate floor down over a vinyl (linoleum) floor, the vinyl will serve as the moisture barrier.

If your laminate boards, that are to be installed, have no foam or other soft material attached to the bottom then you will need to attach not only a moisture barrier but also a sound barrier. This type of material will be referred to as a 2 in 1 or a 3 in 1. What this refers to is the fact that the product, which is always on a roll, has the cushioning AND a moisture barrier that are bonded together as one. When you roll out the product you will be rolling out not only the moisture barrier but also the sound deadening foam. They are attached to one another.

As you can see, there are always two things that are unseen and under your laminate flooring. One is the sound deadening material, which may or may not be attached to the laminate boards. If it is not on the boards it needs to be in the roll, hence the 2 in 1. The 2 refers to the fact that there are 2 things on the underlayment, one being a moisture block and the other being a sound deadening foam.

So whatever laminate flooring you buy you need to make sure that in some way, some shape and some form you have the moisture barrier and the sound deadening material below the laminate boards. Without those two being present your laminate flooring will not only not last very long, but it will sound cheap and hollow.

Laminate flooring underlayment is where the whole installation begins and if it is done correctly it will never be seen, for the life of the floor. If you ignore the need or cut some corner and do it wrong, you will regret it one way or another…..it is just that important!

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1 Comment »

What is the best cleaning product for laminate flooring?

I have laminate flooring through my whole house. I have tried pine-sol, Murphy’s oil soap, vinegar and water, and just plain water. Everything but the vinegar leaves streaks. However, the vinegar STINKS & my husband hates the smell. Does anyone have this problem & what do you use to clean with?

(Editor Note: If you are cleaning a laminate floor you never want to put a wet, or even a damp mop to the laminate flooring. If you get a mop on the floor and ANY water should settle in between a board, there will be a swelling of the board. This will void the warranty, plain and simple. The best product to clean your laminate flooring is with Bruce’s Laminate Floor Cleaner. You spray it on and then wipe it off with a lambs wool pad that is provided in the kit.

If you doubt this then call ANY laminate floor manufacturer and ask them SPECIFICALLY if the product you are using will void the warranty. You will be shocked when they tell you yes??

Click Here To See A Photograph Of Bruce Laminate Floor Cleaner

Posted in Laminate Flooring Information |

3 Comments »

Laminate floors with or without underlayment attached to it?

I’m putting down laminate hardwood floors. I see some with the underlayment attached to the boards and some that are not. Is there a difference? I see You can buy the underlayment separate and it seems easy enough to put down and put the boards over. Just want to know if there’s a major difference. I’m looking at something that may cost me 400 bucks or something that may cost me 200 bucks.

Thanks!

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4 Comments »

Laminate floor underlayment and moisture barrier?

I plan on installing a laminate floor (Dream Home Utopia 6mm Pre-finished) on a concrete slab for a property I’m selling. I read it’s best to use an underlayment and moisture barrier under the floor.

The site I’m buying the flooring from carries a foam underlayment, red rosin paper and 6mil poly sheeting. I want to do this as cheaply as possible.

Now, I read that red rosin paper can be used as a moisture barrier. It’s 1/2 the price of the 6mil poly sheeting so I would like to use that if possible. Is that a good idea?

I would imagine I would still need to use that in conjunction with the underlayment correct?

Thanks.

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11 Comments »

Laminate Flooring Underlayment?

Is this a necessity? Will laminate flooring become damaged over time if an underlayment isn’t used? The previous owner of this home installed a wood floor in the living room without an underlayment so if I want to use a flat transition between this floor and the floor I’m going to put in the next room I’ll have to leave it out to keep the floors level. If I chose a cheap foam underlayment how thick will it be? Thanks.