We are about to lay our laminate flooring and we are still undecided about what to use as our base - the roll out metallic foam or the fibre boards which you lay over a waterproof membrane? Any suggestions? For hall, living room and dining room. Thanks!
2007-02-06 22:09:30 · 12 answers · asked by kimothyp 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
We are about to lay our laminate flooring and we are still undecided about what to use as our base - the roll out metallic foam or the fibre boards which you lay over a waterproof membrane? Any suggestions? For hall, living room and dining room. Thanks!
Forgot to mention - the flooring at present is concrete..its 'fairly' even but it is cold!
2007-02-06 22:22:17 · update #1
Forgot to mention - the flooring at present is concrete..its 'fairly' even but it is cold!
2007-02-06 22:23:01 · update #2
It depends on how uneven your existing sub floor is. If you have a bad uneven floor go for the fibre boards, if its a good even floor go for the foam (go for the grey foam rather than the white if you go this route) it is a little more dense and offers better accoustics. Talking accoustics if you live above someone else and you have a timber joist floor the fibre board has better accousic ratings, we have noisy neighbours so we put down the foam and fibre board!
2007-02-06 22:24:37 · answer #1 · answered by TR 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Use the material (not necessarily the product) that the laminate floor recommends. Using the wrong material will void the warranty. When using the foam (the better one with moisture blocking since you are laying it on concrete), tape the seams with 2" packaging tape for better moisture protection. Redunduncy is always good.
Have fun!
2007-02-07 01:56:55 · answer #2 · answered by down2earth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used both when i put my flooring down. Boards to even up the floor and then a foam layer to cushion it and provide a little sound proofing.
2007-02-06 22:18:40 · answer #3 · answered by Retribution28 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did two bedrooms last year, first with foam, second with boards. I wish I had used fibre boards on them both. MUCH better sound and heat proofing.
2007-02-06 23:02:29 · answer #4 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Far too many floors are ruined by using cheap underlay, for laminate onto concrete floors I always use Timbermate Excel Silver Underlay 3.6mm thick, for the money its the best around.
http://www.hardwoodfloorstore.co.uk/Kahrs/kahrs_underlay_offer.htm
2007-02-06 22:35:37 · answer #5 · answered by I got wood 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
use the rolls of foam ..if your floors are reasonable flat ..if you have damp floors use the silver foil stuff .the fibre boards are OK but do you need them they are expensive the foam i use is white and inexpensive
2007-02-06 22:17:52 · answer #6 · answered by boy boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Which ever insulates more, please ensure the base (your floor) is all secure, screw down floorboards, ensure its level (depends on surface and age of house but maybe nail down hardboard sheets (in brick pattern) over the floorboards to help smooth it and cut draughts), any movement underneath will cause problems later and laminate is colder than carpet so you need to insulate well
2007-02-06 22:20:09 · answer #7 · answered by Em 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use the foam, its a vapor barrier and insulator and will keep the noise down when u walk on it
2007-02-06 22:38:46 · answer #8 · answered by Larry 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
definitely foam. it protects your laminate and hushes sounds
2007-02-06 23:30:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
use the foam its alot better in the long run.
2007-02-06 22:13:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋