Subfloor For Laminate Flooring Over Concrete

Laminate flooring is a good alternative to wood flooring in basements.

Subfloor for laminate flooring over concrete.

Laminate flooring cannot ever be installed on a subfloor made of carpet or padding. However many homeowners are disappointed to discover that solid wood flooring cannot be installed on a concrete slab. In some instances you might be able to install your flooring over an existing floor but it is important to check prior to installation if it is a suitable material. Laminate planks snap together and float above a subfloor which means tiny subfloor imperfections are okay although again a level subfloor will help prevent damage.

The floor can have an unlevel subfloor and still have a base for a nice laminate floor. Laminates can be laid down on almost all subfloors with minimal preparations which is why many homeowners tackle its installation as a diy project. Measure and mark the center of all four walls at floor level. Laminate flooring is a money saving flooring choice that you can install in almost every room and over any type of subfloor and that includes concrete.

Since laminate is a floating floor installation areas of peaks and lows can interfere with the stability of the locking system and joints. Laminate flooring is a popular flooring option because of its attractiveness durability scratch resistance and most importantly its ease of installation. For a concrete subfloor you should install the plank with the sight lines of the floor. Wood and concrete are the idea subfloors.

Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter. How to install laminate flooring over concrete. Typical sight lines run parallel to the longest wall but each home is different. A breathable foam type underlayment is generally used when installing laminate flooring over plywood or osb subfloors.

Many types of flooring can be installed over a concrete sub floor. A floating floor laminate or locking hardwood shouldn t be installed over a wood subfloor that s adhered to a concrete slab. It s a bit confusing but a flat floor can still be slightly out of level and still create a good foundation for a long lasting floor installation. The planks snap together to form a unit.

In most cases you will not want to use a vapor barrier type underlayment when installing laminates on a standard plywood subfloor because wood is a natural material that needs to breathe installing a vapor barrier over this can cause moisture to become. To level a subfloor for installing laminate follow the directions above to remove high and low spots.