Laminate flooring on concrete floor

[Mika98]

Hello all,

Just wondering if I could get some advice please. I am planning on laying laminate flooring on a concrete floor. The current floor doesn't seem too bad as far as moisture is concerned. However, as a precaution, I would like to go with some form of underlay with a moisture barrier and also something with good insulating properties as the floor is very cold!

Any suggestions on what I can use please? Is it possible to use a foam based board/fibre board with a layer of underlay on top? Or should I avoid this due to the risk of too many layers/movement between one surface and another.

If going for a foil backed underlay (built in dpm), which would you recommend? Most local retailers have offered what seems like a generic silver foiled, foam underlay and the quality doesn't seem to be that great.

Any suggestions welcome

 

[Mika98]

Any advice on this topic would be welcome

 

[Tilt]

If all of the local retailers offer a similar foam underlay product then it is probably good enough for your needs. I have no other recommendations here though, sorry.

I would try to keep the finished height the same as whatever was removed. This should save the need for trimming any doors etc...
Usually not a bad idea to get the underlay from the same place that you got the flooring and very often they will have someone to advise and answer any other questions you have.

 

[Rick1632]

I put down some plastic sheeting and then fibre boards under my laminate on concrete floor and I've had no problems at all.

 

[Mr Rusty]

I have used various underlays. I find the 5mm foam too squidgy for 8mm laminate - you can feel it flex. I have recently used https://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/product/50/quickstep_thermolevel_underlay and it is excellent - more rigid than the rolled foam, has an inbuilt VCL, and is designed to take up small imperfections in the smoothness of the floor. Best underlay I have ever used, and won't use anything else in future.

 

[Mika98]

Thanks guys, really appreciate it. I will look into these options.
One further question - Do I have to tape the joints on the underlay? If so, which tape would you recommend please?

 

[Mr Rusty]

Do I have to tape the joints on the underlay? If so, which tape would you recommend please?

If you use thermolevel, it has an inbuilt joint tape which you peel off the backing and fold over the joint. - you can see the peel strip and gold foil tape in the link image.