The exception is when laminate flooring is being installed in a high moisture area such as a bathroom or basement where a moisture barrier underlayment is a good idea.
Underlay for laminate flooring in basement.
The airguard 5 in 1 floor underlayment is an ideal option if you re shopping for floor underlayment for laminate.
What is laminate flooring underlayment.
Underlayment for concrete basement floors.
Full 8 foot tall basement ceilings in older homes are rare with 7 footers more the norm.
This is a fancy durable moisture proof and informal floor that makes good sense for basements especially.
The underlayment helps the laminate planks lay smoother connect better and for the flooring to feel slightly softer underfoot.
Yes you can build a 12 inch high basement subfloor and stay dry above everything but basement ceilings tend to be low.
To keep moisture and mold away this underlayment is treated with microban and includes airguard technology to promote airflow with embedded polyshims that prevent compression and allow moisture vapor to escape.
We ll cover those features and our recommendations on what underlayment is best for your basement.
The best basement underlayment protection for floating laminate and engineered hardwood flooring.
It s the only underlayment manufactured with both microban and air flow technology to inhibit mold growth.
Even an inch or two in elevation for your subfloor will make a noticeable difference.
Strong flexible mesh layer elevates the pad and promotes ventilation so moisture doesn t become trapped.
Basement floors present one issue that most other sub floors do not moisture.
Laminate basement flooring precautions.
It is rolled out between the actual laminate flooring planks and the subfloor very often particularly in a below grade installation on a concrete basement floor a vapor barrier is.
Always install basement carpet on top of a vapor impervious subfloor this will raise the temperature of the floor in winter make your carpet more pleasant to walk on and most importantly prevent humid air from cozying up to the concrete and triggering mold growth.
Choose the right materials.
When looking for basement floor underlayment you will need to look out for key features.
Helps protect the floor from moisture damage and inhibits mold growth.
Laminate underlayment is a soft pad that is installed under laminate flooring.
Underlayment or padding as it s often called is the spongy closed cell plastic foam sheet that comes in rolls.
Underlayment is either pre attached to the bottom of the laminate flooring by the manufacturer or it is installed separately by the user.