Padding underneath laminate floors?

Question

I just ripped up carpet and plan to put down laminate - can I just use the carpet padding underneath the laminate? Or is there more laminate-appropriate padding I must use? Thanks!

Answer 1

It's not advised to use carpet padding for laminates as it is too soft. Not only will it be too "bouncy" when you've laid your laminate floors, it will also cause problems in the long run, such as squeaking and breaking. To top it off, doing so would automatically void the warranty of the laminates.

The appropriate padding for laminates come in different varieties: there's foam, foam with moisture barrier, rubber-foam (neoprene), rubber-foam with moisture barrier, 3mm cork, 6mm cork, etc. Ask the retailer of the laminate floors what the recommended underlayment is for your subfloor to make sure you're getting the right one.

Answer 2

I would not use carpet padding. You do not want the flooring "bouncing" when you walk on it. This would also cause squeaks from the joints rubbing together all the time. Most of the time, a vapor barrier is used under laminate or solid wood flooring. This can be a special product or, I have even seen roofing felt used. Serves two purposes. It helps with small uneven places in the subfloor and prevents moisture from forming or being drawn into the laminate.

Answer 3

If the padding is too thick you can get a bouncy feeling when walking across the laminate. I'm assuming this is the lock 'n' go laminate. Yup, I know. We used carpet padding and got a sick effect. Don't do it! Over time it buckles as well because of all the extra movement. And our floor felt fake when we walked over it.

Answer 4

2 comments above give you the wrong answer as to why the foam pad is needed, it has nothing to do with expansion and contraction, maybe at best moisture if you have the padding the has the thin plastic attached to pad for moisture control. expansion and contraction are done by following the manufactures recommended distance that it should Gap inbetween actual floor to a fixed object in room examples: drywall, door and closet trim, a main support post in the middle of the room if you for some reason you have one, maybe in a basement setting most likely to encounter a post or two in the middle of the rooms.. and at edge of the bottom stair step. these are where contraction and expansion come into play, this is where you want to follow the manufacture recommended witdh of ."gap" all the way around the room. for laminate. IF YOU BUTT IT UP TIGHT TO THE drywall post and all I mentioned, not to put it up against .....get ready to tear it up. 3 week hell may last 6 months and then you'll **** yourself . padding is good floor for slightly un level floors, concrete substrate , and helps keep the sound down so wood is not slapping on concrete making everystep feel like your still walking on concrete also concrete still allows moisture thru , its porous by nature and sometimes overtime small cracks develop and let a little bit moisture in. in that case get the pad with the plastic sealer on it already.. wood floor like plywood, im going pergo on my next project , it includes a 2mm pad attached to planks already so I will still add a moisture barrier down, cheap enough , but keep those gaps clear

Answer 5

there is a padding for laminate flooring. Its about 1/16in thick and dense. Use it and make sure you read all the directions before starting...

Answer 6

Look for something called "Underlayment". It comes in rolls and works well to level out the floor, reducing high spots and air pockets and the like.

Answer 7

i`ve seen people use just paper under laminate
or underlay
which is thin plywood
I`d ask a home depo
but do it on the phone so they wont try and upsell you