| Article Index |
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| Laminate Underlayments Used |
| Types |
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TYPES OF UNDERLAYMENT:
VAPOR BARRIER: durable plastic – usually polyethylene – with a thickness of .2 mm, applied with an overlap of 8” or more; helps in areas where moisture may be a problem
UNDERLAYMENT FOAM: 2-3 mm thick roll of closed-cell plastic that acts as a sound reducer, cushioning, and squeak-reducer
VAPOR AND FOAM: combination of vapor barrier and underlayment foam; is convenient when installing over concrete subfloors and crawl spaces -- also known as 2-IN-1 FOAM
CORK AND RUBBER: pieces or rolls that provide exceptional sound reduction and increased comfort; most expensive type of underlaymentBoth a vapor barrier AND underlayment should be used when dealing with subfloors that are concrete – even if they have surface flooring installed over it. Crawl spaces are often problematic areas for moisture and should use both as well. Failure to use a vapor barrier can cause a laminate floor to bow.
