Readers ask: How To Lay Laminate Flooring Over Concrete?

Do you need underlay for laminate flooring on concrete?

For concrete or wood subfloor use of rubber or foam underlayment is recommended. When laminate flooring is installed on concrete there are many factors that should be taken in account. First and probably most important factor is humidity of concrete surface.

How do I prepare a concrete floor for laminate?

Since concrete is a porous material, there are a few requirements to prepare a concrete subfloor before installing your laminate flooring.

  1. #1. Take a Moisture Rating.
  2. #2. Check Levelness.
  3. #3. Use a Vapor Barrier Underlayment.
  4. #4. Floor Drains and Pipes.

What is the best underlayment for laminate flooring over concrete?

Best underlay for laminate flooring is foam or cork. Best underlay for laminate flooring is foam because it is simple to install, it is a good sound barrier, and is very cost effective. Some best foams have attached additional layer which functions as the best moisture barrier.

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What kind of flooring can you put over concrete?

The best options for flooring over a concrete slab foundation are wood / laminate, carpet, or tile for your whole house. Many concrete floors have a tendency to get damp, so when you are installing wood floors over a concrete slab foundation there are some important things that you need to do.

How level does a concrete floor need to be for laminate?

Typically, the floor must be level and uniform within 3/16 inch every 10 feet. Check your wood flooring manufacturer’s recommendations and sand any high spots with a concrete grinder. Fill any low spots with a cementitious leveling compound following the manufacturer’s directions and allow it to dry before proceeding.

What happens if you don’t put underlayment under laminate flooring?

If you don’t install the underlayment correctly, your laminate floors could be damaged or even ruined. In fact, some floors require an underlayment to be correctly installed in order for the warranty to be valid.

Can you install laminate over cracked concrete?

Any type of flooring may be used over properly repaired shrinkage cracks if the entire concrete surface of the pad is leveled and sealed. Carpeting or laminate flooring with a foam membrane underlayment would work well in this situation.

Do I need a subfloor over concrete?

While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you’ll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: A subfloor will help insulate against a concrete floor that becomes overly cold in winter.

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What do you fill concrete cracks with before laminate?

To prevent this, fill low spots with a patch or self-leveling concrete. Any gaps larger than a quarter-inch wide, gouges, and large chips should be filled with a patch. Dips and cracks on the concrete slab should be corrected with self-leveling concrete.

Do I need moisture barrier under laminate?

All laminate flooring requires an underlayment to allow the floor to float and give the locking system its strength. You will need a moisture barrier underlayment when installing: On a cement subfloor. On any subfloor that has a chance of moisture coming up and soaking into the flooring.

How do you lay a moisture barrier on laminate flooring on concrete?

Begin installation by laying a plastic vapour barrier (minimum 6 mm thick) or any other manufacturer-recommended barrier on the concrete subfloor to prevent moisture from reaching the laminate flooring. Use vinyl tape to secure the barrier and keep it from coming out.

Can I pour concrete directly on dirt?

Long story short, yes you can pour concrete over dirt.

Can mold grow under vinyl flooring on concrete?

Although vinyl plank flooring is well-known to be waterproof, it does not mean that liquids can seep through the cracks, grooves, or edges and become trapped under the planks, allowing mold to grow underneath your floors.

Can you put a floating floor over concrete?

The quickest way to get new wood underfoot is to install a floating floor. Unlike traditional solid-wood strips, a floating floor isn’t nailed down. Instead, the planks are either glued or snapped together. The planks go down fast, over virtually any material— concrete, plywood, sheet vinyl, even ceramic tile.

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