Installing Laminate Flooring Over Carpet Padding

Will carpet or carpet padding work like a laminate flooring underlayment.

Installing laminate flooring over carpet padding.

Unintended nicks or tears during the installation process can violate the integrity of the attached vapor barrier. In most cases you will not want to use a vapor barrier type underlayment when installing laminates on a standard plywood subfloor because wood is a natural material that needs to breathe. Most laminate flooring underlayment is 1mm to 3mm thick. Carpet removal from house of humble blog why can t i use carpet underlayment.

Vapor barriers and laminate flooring underlayment. You can install laminate flooring over carpet though generally not recommended. Tile cutter or table saw to cut vinyl or laminate planks plywood optional for high pile carpet. Laying underlayment over an existing flooring.

Installing laminate flooring over carpet is not recommended in most installation situations. Installing a vapor barrier over this can cause moisture to become trapped within the material leading to the growth of mold or warping in the material. Some types and styles of commercial or indoor outdoor carpeting may look harmless but it and any adhesive used to glue it down must be removed before installing a laminate floor. You may be able to successfully install your laminate floor over carpeting as long as it is less than one quarter inch thick is set on suspended wood sub floor and is fully adhered.

Since carpet is usually plush and soft your laminate flooring would not have the support it needs to keep the locking system sturdy. Utility knife to cut vinyl planks ruler. Carpeting commercial or needle bond. How to install floating floors over carpet.

If your installation is over concrete we recommend a 6 mil poly vapor barrier even if the underlayment you are installing already has a vapor barrier attached. A breathable foam type underlayment is generally used when installing laminate flooring over plywood or osb subfloors. Carpet its padding and all its staples must be completely removed down to the subfloor before you install laminate flooring. Put simply carpet underlayment is too thick.

When it comes to installing a new flooring material you sometimes have the option of installing the underlayment for your new floor directly on top. Installing laminate flooring over carpet underlayment will do more harm than good in the long run.