subject: Tips for Perfect Laminate Floor Underlay [print this page] Tips for Perfect Laminate Floor Underlay Tips for Perfect Laminate Floor Underlay
A home is built with love and care, and everything that goes into it requires special attention, as it is a huge investment. Floors and flooring should be laid out with extra care and all measures should be taken to prolong its life. Floors in every home can be affected from the top and from below, therefore, it is essential that both sides are well taken care of, so the floor suffers minimum wear and tear.
There are certain considerations to bear in mind before settling for the appropriate laminate floor underlay and material.
The very first thing to do is take your time and observe your sub floor. Be sure to find out as much as possible about its structure, any damage that it could potentially develop and make sure to check on the moisture level beneath it as well as above it. It is important for you to know whether it is concrete slab or timber boards.
Your sub floor should be as level and as clean as possible, in order for the floor underlay to provide the necessary benefits. For concrete floors, existing gaps can be covered using a compound mixture, whereas a timber sub floor plywood sheets can be used to level out the surface.
Another thing to consider before putting laminate underlay is the level of moisture. If it is high or perhaps even has the capacity to reach high levels over a year and you have a solid sub floor like concrete slab or stone brick then you need to use a damp proof filler compound to fill in any gaps. It is important to give enough time for to dry out before moving onward with the job.
Working around your budget and niche requirements is essential. There is a variety to choose like foam, cork, plywood or even a combination of these. Sound absorbing floor underlay is also available which can either be got separately or it can also be built in which may cost more. Normally you would want to have the latter on the upper floors for the simple and the mere reason that noise is more of a problem. On the ground floor, on the other hand, are more sustainable to moisture hence you aim must be to have a good moisture installation.
If there is a solid sub floor in your home you should consider getting a waterproof membrane also called DPM. On the other hand, in the case of timber sub floor it is important to allow good ventilation so as to keep mold at bay, so DPM must be avoided.
Finally before selecting the laminate underlay which is best suited for your needs and requirements, check if the laminate flooring of your choice doesn't pre-include an underlay. DIY laminate flooring is usually pre-finished and additional underlay isn't required. Custom layers for shock and sound absorption can be used additionally, if needed.
