Without a subfloor to add a layer between the moist subfloors and the floor surface, laminate can quickly get wet, deform and form mold, impairing its overall integrity. Over time, moisture can also break down the floor adhesive, causing the floor to begin to deform. If the floor has vinyl, you can lay laminate flooring without the need for a base layer, but the base can add additional cushioning. You have to place the padding and then the floor.
It offers more control over the products and the price. Manufacturers of laminate floors often recommend a subfloor. What happens if padding is not placed under the laminate floor is that moisture entering through the subfloor can cause it to deform and form mold. And the steps on the floor will be stronger.
When installing the floor, ensure that the subfloor is level and free from imperfections. This will help prevent moisture from being trapped between soil layers, as well as prevent any subsidence and strange creaking in the soil. Many laminate manufacturers are choosing to manufacture sheets with pre-placed underlayment, rather than sheets that require a separate subfloor. Even so, buying laminate floors with a separate subfloor is something to consider, as it gives you more control over the installation and expands your options. Foam underlayment is the most popular type of padding for laminate floors, mainly because it is inexpensive and easy of working. It is also a waterproof laminate floor pad.
A lighter foam only smoothes the subfloor and has practically no sound-absorbing properties. A heavier, denser foam limits sound transmission better. Many flooring companies recommend felt as the best padding for laminate floors. The felt base tends to be more than four times heavier than foam and at least twice as expensive. However, this recycled product has higher sound absorption rates than foam.
Many people underestimate the value of their laminate underfloor until they step on a new floor on a bare subfloor for the first time. Apartment complexes, condominiums, hotels, office buildings and more rely on comfort and privacy when so many people coexist in a single space. Floors that lack a subfloor can show a reduced acoustic effect against objects that fall or drag across floors, steps, random impacts, regular noises, and more. When combined, these noises can significantly affect your work or family life. Your laminate floor doesn't have a pre-placed underfloor. Many modern laminate floors come with an attached underlayment layer.
In these cases, an additional underlayment is not necessary. In fact, adding a subfloor in these cases can negatively affect soil stability. The use of a subfloor on a concrete subfloor makes the laminate floor soft and comfortable for the feet. The absence of a subfloor in these cases can make walking on the floor a nightmare. When a subfloor is not used in these situations, moisture can move upward, toward the laminate floor and damage its structure. If you're installing laminate over a concrete subfloor, moisture is the primary consideration.
Concrete is highly porous and allows water to seep onto the floor. As a result, the adhesive may loosen and, in due course, mold may form. Choose a base layer that creates a vapor barrier and prevents moisture from entering the laminate floor. The combined foam base is perfect in these cases.
The underlayment is what allows the floor to float, gives it stability, support and noise reduction, and supports the locking systems between the boards to ensure the most robust floor design. Regardless of the type of base you choose, Stories Flooring offers a wide range of laminate flooring options. The Malmo vinyl flooring range is the perfect choice when you are looking for beautiful, stylish, high-quality and extremely durable floors. It helps to level the subfloor, reduces sound transfer, provides a cushioning layer to the laminate floor and also improves the R value of the floor.
If you install a laminate floor without a subfloor on a weak or uneven subfloor, you can damage the laminate floor and create safety hazards. Installing a floating floor on an existing floating floor could cause problems in the future and the warranty could be voided. Therefore, check with your flooring supplier if you need to purchase a base for the laminate floor you have purchased.
