Do I really need a moisture/sound barrier under my wood laminate flooring?
Author: admin Category: 5
Is it really make that big of a difference as far as sound deadning? And do I really need it to keep out moisture?
Yes you really do…
First, because the manufacturer’s warranty requires it. If you do not install the flooring as required by the manufacturer, you will VOID any warranty.
Second, moisture barrier is extremely important when placing this stuff on concrete, or ground floor applications. You would not believe how much moisture is drawn up thru concrete, hehe.
Third - sound ‘barrier’ - this is actually a misnomer - youre not trying to stop sound from coming below the floor.. youre stopping it from echoing back from the flooring material. It would be more properly described as sound ‘absorption’. Typically, laminate flooring echoes pretty badly, when walked upon. Adding the sound barrier helps to eliminate this. If youve never had this type of flooring before, you dont realize just how much difference this sound barrier can make. Flooring with less echo is often perceived as better quality too. Think of carpeting for a moment - you can take the same quality of carpet, and install it over 3/8" pad, or over 3/4" pad — the one over the thicker pad will seem more ‘luxurious’, and feel better to walk on.
Good Luck
August 5th, 2009
yes. yes. and yes you do.
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August 5th, 2009
When either woos or laminate flooring gets moisture on it or absorbed it will warp the product. A vapor barrier keeps this from happening. It really is worth the extra money unless you like replacing the floor every 2-5 years.
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August 5th, 2009
Yes you really do…
First, because the manufacturer’s warranty requires it. If you do not install the flooring as required by the manufacturer, you will VOID any warranty.
Second, moisture barrier is extremely important when placing this stuff on concrete, or ground floor applications. You would not believe how much moisture is drawn up thru concrete, hehe.
Third - sound ‘barrier’ - this is actually a misnomer - youre not trying to stop sound from coming below the floor.. youre stopping it from echoing back from the flooring material. It would be more properly described as sound ‘absorption’. Typically, laminate flooring echoes pretty badly, when walked upon. Adding the sound barrier helps to eliminate this. If youve never had this type of flooring before, you dont realize just how much difference this sound barrier can make. Flooring with less echo is often perceived as better quality too. Think of carpeting for a moment - you can take the same quality of carpet, and install it over 3/8" pad, or over 3/4" pad — the one over the thicker pad will seem more ‘luxurious’, and feel better to walk on.
Good Luck
References :
August 5th, 2009
A moisture barrier is critical. There are different grades of underlayment. Some are designed to dampen the sound better. The most critical part is the moisture barrier, though. If you are worried about the sound, you should look into a higher quality sound barrier. They reduce the "fake" sound that can sometimes be associated with laminate.
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August 5th, 2009
They sell plastic (I think its 6 mil) sheeting to put under laminate when installing on concrete. Then you add a foam layer on top of it.
There are also products that have both so you don’t have to install 2 layers before laying your laminate, just one (I used this product when laying my floor). It costs about the same as if you had bought the other 2 separately.
You laminate floor is going to be much noiser than if you had carpet before.
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August 5th, 2009
dave is right, butonly onn concrete, subfloors dont need them, all it will do is trap moisture if you spill a drink or something, use on concrete because water seeps up through concrete
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