floating floor underlayment question
I bought some bamboo strand flooring they recomended either glue or floating so I'm going with the floating method, I bought some underlayment as well but I'm now wondering whether or not I bought the appropriate underlayment for the job. It will be in my master bedroom on the main floor so it will be going on top of the wood subfloor, I was orginally under the belief I would need a vapor barrier and then a 2mm thick cushion, the under layment I bought was 3-in-1, vapor barrier, felt cushion, and the tape to join them all together. I just read one article warning about using a vapor barrier over a wood subfloor and it creating moisture probelms. Is this an issue or just bad advice?
Good question. If this was during the week I'd have access to a guy I call the "flooring jedi." I work for a flooring distributor in CA. We have a guy that teaches flooring installation classes and does claims inspections for manufacturers. Literally knows everything about flooring.
I can tell you that you would want the vapor barrier if installing over concrete, but I can't say with certainty if you need one over existing wood. Have you ever installed flooring yourself before? Have an extra blade ready, bamboo tears them up.
I have not installed it before or any flooring for that matter, the carpet needed to be replaced, but I came across this stuff at $2.09 a sq/ft which was $4.70 a sq/ft less than I could find it anywhere else, I'll be sure to keep that in mind with the blades thanks.
Originally Posted By outlawZ79:
I have not installed it before or any flooring for that matter, the carpet needed to be replaced, but I came across this stuff at $2.09 a sq/ft which was $4.70 a sq/ft less than I could find it anywhere else, I'll be sure to keep that in mind with the blades thanks.
You should have this discussion with the guy who sold you the flooring. They will know exactly what you need and can provide it to you.
Originally Posted By Still_learning:
Originally Posted By outlawZ79:
I have not installed it before or any flooring for that matter, the carpet needed to be replaced, but I came across this stuff at $2.09 a sq/ft which was $4.70 a sq/ft less than I could find it anywhere else, I'll be sure to keep that in mind with the blades thanks.
You should have this discussion with the guy who sold you the flooring. They will know exactly what you need and can provide it to you.
They would probably recommed reading the box in which case it talks about using the vapor barrier, which does not deal with the question of will the vapor barrier cause any adverse issues while using it on a wood subfloor. I'm sure I could have payed $6.79-8 a square foot bought it from a flooring professional to get his opinion on it but I just dont think his opinion is worth the $1224-1500. Thanks though
Don't most houses on a crawl have insulation and a vapor barrier stapled to the bottom of the floor joists? If so, I would think that having a vapor barrier under the flooring itself wouldn't present any problems. I would definitely use the cushion though.
While I can't comment on the vapor barrier in your local... I believe that I have the same underlayment that you're talking about... and love it. The floor feels a lot better under your feet than those with cheaper underlayments. It also goes in nice and easily.
Originally Posted By outlawZ79:
Originally Posted By Still_learning:
Originally Posted By outlawZ79:
I have not installed it before or any flooring for that matter, the carpet needed to be replaced, but I came across this stuff at $2.09 a sq/ft which was $4.70 a sq/ft less than I could find it anywhere else, I'll be sure to keep that in mind with the blades thanks.
You should have this discussion with the guy who sold you the flooring. They will know exactly what you need and can provide it to you.
They would probably recommed reading the box in which case it talks about using the vapor barrier, which does not deal with the question of will the vapor barrier cause any adverse issues while using it on a wood subfloor. I'm sure I could have payed $6.79-8 a square foot bought it from a flooring professional to get his opinion on it but I just dont think his opinion is worth the $1224-1500. Thanks though
You are speculating what they will say having not called. You should call them first.
What I remember from when I was considering this flooring, the vapor barrier would keep moisture in a concrete slab from infiltrating the flooring and warping it (moist bottom/dry top).
What's at risk and how does that compare to getting it done professionally? What would repairing/replacing the subfloor cost if you get it wrong?
The VB is not going to hurt anything on any typical home installation. Is there a crawl space?
Originally Posted By Arms_Reach:
The VB is not going to hurt anything on any typical home installation. Is there a crawl space?
Nope, full unfinished basement below, no moisture problems anywhere.
Originally Posted By outlawZ79:
Originally Posted By Arms_Reach:
The VB is not going to hurt anything on any typical home installation. Is there a crawl space?
Nope, full unfinished basement below, no moisture problems anywhere.
Yeah, you don't have any worries then.
