I've done a couple of these so I'm not completely green... some were real cheap, some better quality.
Anyway I know about the level floor below, and secure etc. On the cheap one I layed a thin 1/16" foam underlay. It was actually good enough that it helped in a couple uneaven areas. This was in an area which never had real floor covering - just a throw rug over the plywood.
The better, thicker one had the underlay foam pre attached to the back of each board. I had to pull this floor appart below the previos carpet and do a bit of structural work and some better leveling. This floor is holding up well- level- with no extra thin foam underlayment.
The one I am working on right now is a bit different. The boards are the good thick ones with the backing attached. The sub floor is in good shape, flat and secure.
The carpet I took out is 38 years old. It was good quality, and below it is the 1/4 underlay foam. It is a bit compressed in the main walk areas, but overall in good shape.
Since I don't need to rip it out, would it be worth while - or wise- to leave the old underlay in place and lay the new laminate with the thin foam backing on top of it?
Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Grant
Anyway I know about the level floor below, and secure etc. On the cheap one I layed a thin 1/16" foam underlay. It was actually good enough that it helped in a couple uneaven areas. This was in an area which never had real floor covering - just a throw rug over the plywood.
The better, thicker one had the underlay foam pre attached to the back of each board. I had to pull this floor appart below the previos carpet and do a bit of structural work and some better leveling. This floor is holding up well- level- with no extra thin foam underlayment.
The one I am working on right now is a bit different. The boards are the good thick ones with the backing attached. The sub floor is in good shape, flat and secure.
The carpet I took out is 38 years old. It was good quality, and below it is the 1/4 underlay foam. It is a bit compressed in the main walk areas, but overall in good shape.
Since I don't need to rip it out, would it be worth while - or wise- to leave the old underlay in place and lay the new laminate with the thin foam backing on top of it?
Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Grant