Subfloor For Laminate Flooring Over Concrete

In most cases you will not want to use a vapor barrier type underlayment when installing laminates on a standard plywood subfloor because wood is a natural material that needs to breathe installing a vapor barrier over this can cause moisture to become.

Subfloor for laminate flooring over concrete.

Laminate flooring is a good alternative to wood flooring in basements. Laminate flooring is also fairly easy to install. Laminate flooring is a popular flooring option because of its attractiveness durability scratch resistance and most importantly its ease of installation. A floating floor laminate or locking hardwood shouldn t be installed over a wood subfloor that s adhered to a concrete slab.

Laminate flooring cannot ever be installed on a subfloor made of carpet or padding. For a concrete subfloor you should install the plank with the sight lines of the floor. The planks snap together to form a unit. Laminate planks snap together and float above a subfloor which means tiny subfloor imperfections are okay although again a level subfloor will help prevent damage.

Laminates can be laid down on almost all subfloors with minimal preparations which is why many homeowners tackle its installation as a diy project. In some instances you might be able to install your flooring over an existing floor but it is important to check prior to installation if it is a suitable material. Since laminate is a floating floor installation areas of peaks and lows can interfere with the stability of the locking system and joints. Measure and mark the center of all four walls at floor level.

A breathable foam type underlayment is generally used when installing laminate flooring over plywood or osb subfloors. Typical sight lines run parallel to the longest wall but each home is different. It s a bit confusing but a flat floor can still be slightly out of level and still create a good foundation for a long lasting floor installation. Laminate flooring is a money saving flooring choice that you can install in almost every room and over any type of subfloor and that includes concrete.

When installing laminate flooring over concrete it is also important to inspect the levelness and surface. To level a subfloor for installing laminate follow the directions above to remove high and low spots. Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter. How to install laminate flooring over concrete.

Wood and concrete are the idea subfloors. However many homeowners are disappointed to discover that solid wood flooring cannot be installed on a concrete slab.