Often asked: How To Install Laminate Wood Flooring On Concrete Slab?

Can you put laminate flooring directly on concrete?

Laminate flooring can be installed over concrete, wood or carpet subfloor or other surfaces. Installation of good quality underlayment is highly recommended. Installing underlayment is easy but it has to be done precise to avoid any tears.

How do you install laminate flooring on a concrete slab?

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.

Do I need underlayment for laminate flooring on concrete?

If you are installing laminate flooring on a cement subfloor, you should use a vapor underlayment. Vapor underlayments protect your flooring from any moisture that could seep up from the cement subfloor.

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.

How do you prepare a concrete floor for laminate?

To get the most out of your laminate flooring, it needs to be dry, level and clean. To ensure your floor from letting in moisture, you must let the concrete cure for 30 days. It needs an excessive amount of time to fend off moisture.

What is the best flooring to put over concrete?

Best Flooring for Concrete Slab Foundation

1. Engineered Wood. Natural hardwood flooring offers undeniable beauty and durability.
2. Vinyl. As a longstanding choice for kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl has a reputation for extreme water resistance.
3. Laminate.
4. Carpet.
5. Tile.

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.

How do you install a moisture barrier on a concrete floor?

1. Roll the moisture barrier onto the floor lengthwise.
2. Overlap the next row by 3 to 8 inches, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Seal the seams with a moisture-resistant tape all the way down the length of the row.
4. Repeat these steps until the whole floor is covered.

What do you put under laminate flooring?

For slightly uneven floors, use a foam underlayment as the base for your laminate planks. If you determine you need to level the floor, sand the floor and apply a patching compound. Some underlayment comes with an attached vapor barrier, eliminating the need to lay two separate products.

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.

Do you need a moisture barrier under vinyl plank flooring?

For vinyl flooring installations over wood subfloors, you will not need to worry about a moisture barrier, but you may want an underlayment for added cushion or sound reduction. It may also be a requirement in certain HOA or apartment complexes to have a sound barrier with your flooring.

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.

Can you put laminate flooring down without underlayment?

Underlayment is not optional. If your laminate planks don’t have it already attached, we recommend that you buy rolls of underlayment on which to install your laminate floor.