Laminate Flooring: What's the best for concrete floors? (house, living) - City-Data Forum

reloop · 02-26-2009, 02:25 PM

I'm trying to find some advice on replacing a rug with laminate flooring. I'm looking at laminate that already has backing on it to avoid the placement of a subfloor (it's a pretty big area) but I wonder if anyone has had experience with this type of flooring on concrete?

Thanks in advance for any info you can give me.

AustinB · 02-26-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reloop

I'm trying to find some advice on replacing a rug with laminate flooring. I'm looking at laminate that already has backing on it to avoid the placement of a subfloor (it's a pretty big area) but I wonder if anyone has had experience with this type of flooring on concrete?

Thanks in advance for any info you can give me.

I wouldn't recomend just placing the flooring directly on the concrete. There should be some spacing for any moisture that may occur. Is this in a basement or on a slab in a house? May make a difference. Hot And Cold guys always recomend an air/water space for flooring in basements. Makes sense.

mainebrokerman · 02-26-2009, 03:29 PM

iput a laminate floor in my kitchen a few years ago, got it at mardens,,,,im still amazed how resilient it is, and still looks great,,,had a thin roll of padding to place underneath, then they clicked together, had to cut around the edges,,
i never did this before,,,and was very pleased how it came out,,,
keep in mind,,you dont have to line up the edges/seams, they are suppose to be staggered, (less seams)

my floor is not totally flat,,,and its held up great

id higly recommend these floors

shadowfax1997 · 02-26-2009, 06:11 PM

When i finished my basement, I put square underlayment tiles on the concrete floor, then laminate on that. The tiles I got were from homedepot. There are 2' x 2' tongue and groove. I believe they are 1/2 waferboard or particle board, with a plastic underlayment piece. The plastic piece is . . . egg carton shape. It holds the wood off the concrete. Very easy to install and adds some space between the cold concrete and the flooring. LOVE IT.

rod67 · 02-26-2009, 06:19 PM

Many manufacturers recommend a sheet of heavy plastic next to the concrete as a moisture barrier. Some won't honor the warranty without it.

reloop · 02-26-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinB

I wouldn't recomend just placing the flooring directly on the concrete. There should be some spacing for any moisture that may occur. Is this in a basement or on a slab in a house? May make a difference. Hot And Cold guys always recomend an air/water space for flooring in basements. Makes sense.

It's a raised ranch - no basement - the rooms are heated and dry all year (think ranch that is supposed to have a garage underneath, but that space was finished into a family room). I was looking at some laminate that I found which has the plastic already on the back.

reloop · 02-26-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowfax1997

When i finished my basement, I put square underlayment tiles on the concrete floor, then laminate on that. The tiles I got were from homedepot. There are 2' x 2' tongue and groove. I believe they are 1/2 waferboard or particle board, with a plastic underlayment piece. The plastic piece is . . . egg carton shape. It holds the wood off the concrete. Very easy to install and adds some space between the cold concrete and the flooring. LOVE IT.

Thanks - good info, I'll have to check them out

. I went back and forth about recarpeting due to the cold factor of winter, but I can say that I'm completely fed up with carpeting for the main living areas of my house

.
Dirt driveways, kids, dogs, and combat boots don't make for a very easy clean!

reloop · 02-26-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

iput a laminate floor in my kitchen a few years ago, got it at mardens,,,,im still amazed how resilient it is, and still looks great,,,had a thin roll of padding to place underneath, then they clicked together, had to cut around the edges,,
i never did this before,,,and was very pleased how it came out,,,
keep in mind,,you dont have to line up the edges/seams, they are suppose to be staggered, (less seams)

my floor is not totally flat,,,and its held up great

id higly recommend these floors

Thanks - I'll be a "do it yourselfer" and plan to do a practice run with laminate on a bedroom floor first. We had the living room rug replaced with laminate (installed - not up to it myself that year) and I absolutely love it. It totally jives with my "decorate in the color of dirt" theme...

bignhfamily · 02-26-2009, 07:50 PM

DuPont and a couple other flooring manufactures make laminate click lock flooring with the pad attached to it. Other wise you just roll out the underlayment before you put down the flooring. It's easy either way. If you're installing in a basement then a minimum of a 6 mil plastic sheet barrier is needed.
This type of flooring is relatively easy to install and a perfect DIY project. All most every brand has detailed installation requirements and instructions.
Good luck with your project. Feel free to DM me if you have any specific questions.

gussie · 02-26-2009, 08:24 PM

We had Pergo flooring put thru out the house in Georgia. ...They put it on the concrete and it is just wonderful.. beautiful flooring.. Pergo is really beautiful flooring and they stand by their product!