While reusing the base layer can be attractive, using a carpet base layer with laminate flooring and laminate underlay will cause long-term problems. The carpet base is usually much thicker than the laminate base, usually around 10 mm thick, while the laminated bottom layer is usually around 3 mm thick. Simply put, the bottom layer of the carpet is too thick for most laminate flooring subfloors, which have a thickness of 1 mm to 3 mm. Most carpet subfloors are between 8 mm and 10 mm thick, too thick for laminate flooring and laminate underlay installations.
Now you might think that adding a cushion equals a “softer” floor, but if you reuse the thick carpet padding, the floor will bounce too much and could damage the locking system. Pay special attention to your warranty when installing the subfloor. Failure to follow their instructions may result in a cancellation of the warranty. Laminate flooring is a durable and cost-effective floor covering that will last for many years, although for some subfloors, the base layer is not strictly necessary, it is recommended.
The base layer helps the laminate planks to be distributed evenly throughout the subfloor and supports the locking system between the planks to ensure that the floor is resistant. Preparation is the secret to placing a laminate, a top layer of real wood or a solid wood floor that is durable and looks fantastic. The lower subfloor must be smooth, dry and level. And before the floor falls, you will have to lay a lower layer, as this will make the floor easier to lay, help it last longer and improve sound and thermal insulation.
In general, the base layer for laminate flooring is between 1 mm and 3 mm thick, while most carpet layers are around 8 mm to 10 mm thick. This thick padding wouldn't offer adequate support to laminate floors, potentially damaging your floors. The additional height will interfere with the interlocking of the individual laminate sheets, leading to a poor fit or a short-lived floor finish. You're probably wondering if you can install laminate flooring over the existing carpet or the base of the carpet - the answer is no.
The base of the carpet is designed to be soft and elastic, while the base of the laminate floor is reasonably stiff. The base of the laminate floor must be rigid to prevent the laminate boards from bouncing, which will eventually damage their joints. Therefore, to be clear, when installing a laminate floor, it is best to use a specific base coat for laminate flooring, since its price can vary quite a bit depending on the quality of the base layer. The Dreamwalk Heatflow lower layer has been specifically designed for use with underfloor heating systems and wood or laminate floors.
The bottom layer is 2 mm thick, with small holes drilled at regular intervals that allow heat to rise and penetrate. A plastic vapor barrier layer is also attached to the base of the underfloor heating, which prevents moisture from entering the wooden or laminate floor. The polyethylene foam base is the cheapest basic base available, but this doesn't mean it's a bad choice. As long as your project meets certain criteria, there's no reason why the polyethylene foam base layer shouldn't be used and serve its purpose perfectly. The polyethylene foam base is usually white, approximately 2 mm thick, and is designed for use on perfectly level wooden subfloors - not to be used on concrete subfloors.
If you have a concrete subfloor and intend to install your floor using the floating method, you'll almost certainly want to use a foam base layer with a built-in vapor barrier. This prevents moisture from the concrete subfloor from rising to the ground and causing problems related to expansion and movement. If you think about it, any floor that is going to be installed using the nailing method is on a wooden subfloor - it would endanger the vapour barrier properties of a base layer, so a normal foam or rubber base would suffice to ensure that any problems related to moisture are solved by other means. It is essential that the subfloor is clean, level and moisture-proof. Laminate flooring needs a base coat, whether you place it on concrete or on an old wood subfloor. The base layer provides many benefits such as reduced noise, thermal insulation, greater comfort when walking and extended floor life.
Make a plan for placing the soil before you begin so that the base layer extends in the right direction. If your plinth is at least 10-12 mm thick you can remove it before placing it and reinstall it once the laminate floor is in place. If you're placing laminate flooring over underfloor heating place each package on the floor separately - don't stack them at all. The type of subfloor chosen must be based on environment type of floor chosen and your own personal space needs. While subfloor provides fundamental support of room subfloor what supports material itself intended improve protect floor. This 5 mm thick fiber base can used slightly uneven floors very good reducing noise most common form laminated subfloor often used cases where laminate installed plywood OSB subfloor. Nowadays find many laminates manufactured with subfloor padding integrated underside material several products from which choose subfloor laminates useful know features look proper selection installation important because affect feel wear tear time. Rubber combined foil vapor barrier ideal laminates engineering installed floating method concrete subfloors assembly process Rapid Fit Twin Clic laminates.
