Subfloor For Laminate Flooring Over Concrete

Laminate flooring is a good alternative to wood flooring in basements.

Subfloor for laminate flooring over concrete.

The floor can have an unlevel subfloor and still have a base for a nice laminate floor. Laminates can be laid down on almost all subfloors with minimal preparations which is why many homeowners tackle its installation as a diy project. Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter. How to install laminate flooring over concrete.

The planks snap together to form a unit. When installing laminate flooring over concrete it is also important to inspect the levelness and surface. Wood and concrete are the idea subfloors. A floating floor laminate or locking hardwood shouldn t be installed over a wood subfloor that s adhered to a concrete slab.

A breathable foam type underlayment is generally used when installing laminate flooring over plywood or osb subfloors. Laminate flooring on an uneven subfloor can cause problems and needs to be addressed. However many homeowners are disappointed to discover that solid wood flooring cannot be installed on a concrete slab. 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.

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. Many types of flooring can be installed over a concrete sub floor. Since laminate is a floating floor installation areas of peaks and lows can interfere with the stability of the locking system and joints. To level a subfloor for installing laminate follow the directions above to remove high and low spots.

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. For a concrete subfloor you should install the plank with the sight lines of the floor. 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. Measure and mark the center of all four walls at floor level.

Laminate flooring is a popular flooring option because of its attractiveness durability scratch resistance and most importantly its ease of installation. Laminate flooring cannot ever be installed on a subfloor made of carpet or padding.