When it comes to installing laminate flooring, it is important to select the right subfloor for the job. If you are looking for superior acoustics, moisture protection and floor support, FloorMuffler Encore is the best performing subfloor for installation on attached padded flooring. If you are installing your laminate floor with the subfloor prefixed on a cement subfloor, you will want to use a vapor barrier. This type of subfloor has no additional padding, so it won't pose a risk to your laminate floor. Laminate flooring manufacturers often recommend a subfloor.
Without the padding underneath the laminate floor, moisture that enters through the subfloor can cause it to deform and mold. Additionally, the steps on the ground will get stronger. We recommend that you invest as much as you can afford in the underlayment, as performance is usually a function of the price of the payoff. White subfloors tend to be the least expensive and don't work as well. Unless the floorboards have a pre-fixed base layer, you'll need to purchase a separate laminate base for your project.
The additional layer of cushioning can provide a wide range of benefits, as it protects your new floor from potential damage. This will significantly improve the look, feel, and overall performance of your new floors. In our opinion, its importance cannot be overstated. Here we take a look at some of the reasons why you should use an underlayment when installing laminate flooring. If you have a concrete subfloor, you should use a laminate subfloor for concrete floors to prevent the floor from being uncomfortable.
Similarly, a wooden subfloor requires a base coat because it is not moisture resistant. Laminate flooring is a durable and cost-effective floor covering that will last for many years. Although, for some subfloors, it is not strictly necessary to apply a base coat, its use 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 robust. Once you've chosen the best base coat for your laminate floor, you can use a professional installer or install it yourself. Despite the stiff nature of laminate planks, they will feel much softer (and warmer) with the addition of a quality base coat. I bought the laminate floor as an attached subfloor, but on some boards it tears or falls.
The lower layer protects the floor from shocks and impacts caused by widespread use, such as stepping on and moving furniture. And if you are looking for specific recommendations, check out Duralay's Heatflow Wood & Laminate product. Laminate can make the floor feel colder in winter, especially when installed on a cold subfloor. Laminate flooring resists moisture and minor flood damage, as long as a layer of steam is installed underneath the bottom layer. After all, your choice to use laminate flooring probably had something to do with its easy maintenance and aesthetic appeal, and the subfloor allows you to enjoy those benefits for longer. Many laminate manufacturers are choosing to produce sheets with a pre-fixed underlayment, rather than sheets that require a separate underlayment.
It's natural to wonder what you should do to maximize the longevity of your floors when the subfloor is prefixed. We suggest that you check with the manufacturer of your laminate floor to ensure that the specific cork you have can be used with your product and if it will be sufficient padding.
