Laminate Flooring Installation

9/20/2013 at 3:00:20 PM

Hi,

You must use plywood.

9/20/2013 at 3:32:29 PM

Al,

Save yourself all the detail work. And have a subfloor that will let water move below it to the drain if you experiance a flood or leak again.

Purchase a product like DriCore. Personally that is the one I use on my job sites, and in my own basement. It is dimpled plastic (thick gauge) on one side and the rest of the 2'x2' boards are grooved, so they click into each other. The application is simple. If you have big dips in the concrete you may have to insert some shims. But you would have to do this with any product. The results are great.

After installing it, roll the sheets of foam over it and apply your laminate flooring. you will find the floors are much warmer. And there is a give to them as you walk that is very comfortable. When you work out the number of pieces you will need, the size is slightly smaller than 2'x2'. You will have to check at the store.

All big box building supply stores carry it.

Good luck with your project.

9/21/2013 at 10:20:29 AM

I would be reluctant in using the poly because it may trap moisture underneath. The dimple product sub-floor still allows the concrete to breath. Concrete will almost contain moisture when it is in contact with the ground and I believe this moisture needs to escape.

9/21/2013 at 3:29:23 PM

Al,

All you need is the rigid dimple plastic (like what is used for water proofing foundations). On top of that install a high grade 3 in 1 underpad. Tape all seams with tuck tape. Then install your laminate. There is always a level of moisture coming from the concrete. If you install anything directly on top that will trap the moisture, you run the risk of creating an environment that mold will grow.

Good luck with your renovation.

Lionel

9/22/2013 at 9:09:13 AM

What you are proposing will not work and will create moisture and mold problems.

While there are a lot of different ways to cover the floor, if you want a warm and comfortable basement, I lay down foundation platon (dimpled black plastic). That gives you the airflow for any moisture and drainage, if any water should get in the basement. On top of that add 1" ridgid foam, blue or pink, not the white stuff and tuck tape the seams. This gives you the vapour barrier on the warm side. Lay down 5/8" T&G plywood and tapcon it to the concrete every 2' ( 1' if you want to lay down tile). This will give you a warm, dry basement that you can lay down any type of flooring you want.

9/24/2013 at 5:47:16 PM

Al,

If you are putting down laminate and have no plans to change to anything else in the future then keep it simple.

Install a dimpled plastic membrane such as DMX and tape the seams. Get a BREATHABLE underlayment for the laminate and lay your floor.

Never use 2 layers of water proof materials it will trap water between and cause mold and rot. The DMX will hold the moisture from the slab down. The underlayment in this case is only for cushioning.

Hope that helps,

Jeff

10/5/2013 at 2:16:51 PM

Hi Al,

Stewart here of Sct Floorcoverings. Yes, the Dimple Board works perfect over the Poly sheet in a Basement situation.

Best regard,

Stewart, Mississauga