Laminate planks snap together and float above a subfloor which means tiny subfloor imperfections are okay although again a level subfloor will help prevent damage.
Subfloor for laminate on concrete.
Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter.
As mentioned concrete subfloors are porous and have the potential to hold onto excess moisture.
Concrete or tile over concrete are acceptable floors for uninhabited basements.
To test for the flatness for laying laminate flooring on an uneven subfloor lay a 10 foot long 2x4 board.
Wood and concrete are the idea subfloors.
In some instances you might be able to install your flooring over an existing floor but it is important to check prior to installation if it is a suitable material.
While the subfloor provides the foundational support for the room the underlayment is what supports the flooring material itself intended to enhance and protect the flooring.
If you want to learn more about the right underlayment for your laminate flooring installation click here.
To level a subfloor for installing laminate follow the directions above to remove high and low spots.
To install any kind of floor covering engineered wood laminate carpeting basement subflooring is required.
A concrete subfloor can be covered with a variety of flooring materials or it can serve as the finished floor itself.
A floating floor laminate or locking hardwood shouldn t be installed over a wood subfloor that s adhered to a concrete slab.
In laminate flooring installations the underlayment is the thin flexible sheet of resilient material that is installed on top of a subfloor in order to act as a base for the laminate planks or tiles you re installing.
It is important to choose an underlayment with a vapor barrier for all laminate flooring installations on concrete subfloors.
Look at the board where it touches the subfloor and see if there are any dips bumps or otherwise uneven areas.
Check for cracks and crumbling.
These hills and valleys will eventually lead to unwanted bouncy spots squeaks and groans in the final laminate floor.
If you have a subfloor that consists of wood on top of concrete you ll need to test both floors.