Even so, when they want to upgrade their home later on, that concrete slab can be a problem. One way it’s a problem is for installing hardwood flooring. Before hardwood flooring is installed over concrete, a plywood subfloor must be installed. Not all subfloors are the same.
What do you put down on concrete before laminate flooring?
Begin installation by laying a plastic vapour barrier (minimum 6 mm thick) or any other manufacturer-recommended barrier on the concrete subfloor to prevent moisture from reaching the laminate flooring. Use vinyl tape to secure the barrier and keep it from coming out.
Can you lay laminate flooring directly on concrete?
Laminate flooring can be used immediately after installation. Laminate flooring can be installed over concrete, wood or carpet subfloor or other surfaces. Installation of good quality underlayment is highly recommended. Installing underlayment is easy but it has to be done precise to avoid any tears.
Do I need underlayment for laminate flooring on concrete?
With a concrete subfloor, you will need an underlayment that acts as a vapor barrier in order to prevent moisture from penetrating through to your laminate installation. The normal choice is a thin foam pad material made of polyethylene or polypropylene, which rolls out in sheets.
Can you lay plywood over concrete?
Plywood can easily adhere to concrete. Plywood is often used as a sub-flooring. It can be installed on top of concrete before hardwood flooring or another type of material is installed. One way to attach plywood to a concrete surface is to screw it into place with concrete fasteners.
How do you install laminate flooring on concrete floor?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Under laminate and then the horror. It's very important you saw me putting down the six mil plastic it's very important to put a barrier between the concrete.
Do you need subfloor over concrete?
Do I Need a Subfloor Over a Concrete Slab? While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you’ll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: Dampness control.
Do you need a vapor barrier on concrete floor?
Subfloor Material
You’ll typically need a vapor barrier if you’re installing flooring over concrete. Therefore, in high-humidity areas, moisture will move to a relatively low-humidity area, even through concrete.
How do you apply underlayment to concrete?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So the manufacturers a floor muffler recommend running the underlayment opposite to the way the floor will be installed. This is to avoid the underlayment.
What flooring is best over concrete?
Best Flooring for Concrete Slab Foundation
- Engineered Wood. Natural hardwood flooring offers undeniable beauty and durability. …
- Vinyl. As a longstanding choice for kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl has a reputation for extreme water resistance. …
- Laminate. …
- Carpet. …
- Tile.
What kind of plywood do you use for subfloor over concrete?
The NWFA recommends plywood with a minimal thickness of ¾”. Score the panels to a depth of half their thickness using a 12” x 12” grid. Apply an approved adhesive and lay the plywood sections in a staggered joint pattern, with 1/8” spacers between sheets and ¾” spacers at walls.
Can you use plywood to level a floor?
If you’ve got a plywood subfloor, like many buildings do, you can leave it in place and apply self-leveling concrete directly on top of it. Once the plywood subfloor is covered, just apply the finish you want to achieve the desired look.
Can I build a subfloor over a concrete slab?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So. This is a poly product it's not going to mold the first thing you want to do is make sure that your concrete floor is clean. And free of any organic materials because organic materials will mold.
How do you install laminate flooring on uneven concrete?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So what we're going to do is we're going to go ahead and take our ring shank nails. And do what's called a scatter nail that's where you randomly put the nails all over the entire floor.
What is the cheapest way to level a concrete floor?
There are self-leveling coatings designed to fill gaps and cracks. You could also try using vinyl floor tiles to make the transition more gradual. Probably the easiest (and cheapest) thing to do would be to get a big diamond grinding wheel and bevel down the lip.
Can you put flooring on uneven concrete?
However, another enemy of laminate flooring – perhaps an even more dangerous one – is the uneven subflooring. So, should you put laminate on uneven concrete? Unfortunately, the answer is no; you should not.
Do you need to level a floor before laying laminate?
While laminate tends to be more forgiving of subfloor imperfections than many other types of floor finishes, installers must take the time to level the floor prior to installation. A level subfloor ensures a more attractive and long-lasting finish, and helps to reduce the risk of visible damage over time.
Can you use 2 layers of underlay under laminate flooring?
No, it is not recommended to install a thick or double layer of underlayment with laminate flooring. Underlayment is manufactured and meant to be used as only a single layer to allow your floor to be balanced and float properly.
