underlayment for laminate floor.

[rnln]

After some searches I found one of the type of underpayment to consider is the 3 in 1 at Home Depot, but this is my first time. Anyone know enough, or experience enough to give some review on this product? $60 for 100 sqft.
A section of one of the rooms has a lot of moisture, therefore I need to be careful. I am think of applying redgard first, then use this underlayment before laying the lamanite. What do you think?
ROBERTS Harmony Premium 3-in-1 Underlayment, For Laminate And Wood Floors - 70-100-12 at The Home Depot

[billybek]

Laying it on wood or concrete?

[rnln]

On Concrete.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by rnln

On Concrete.

Delta FM
http://www.deltamembranes.com/waterproofing_membranes/delta_fm/delta_fm_1.htm

[look 171]

the last job we did was black Bamboo. It was in an 8th floor penhouse in Westwood. We put on an underlayment of cork to reduce noise for the folks downstairs. Not cheap, but by far the best material for underlayment for you application after the Redguard. The flooor feels rigid unlike foam. People may disagree about the additional cost of cork and how it really isn't necessary. I think its a good choice if you can swing the additional cost. Talk to you flooring supplier or get an opinion from your installer.

[billybek]

Above or below grade? (basement application?)

[Oracle]

I used Dricore DRIcore Subfloor Systems and we couldn't be happier because the concrete slab can breath so is never misty or humid or too cold... best choice and very easy to install unless your place has round walls.. then it's a PITA.

[rnln]

Thanks guys. The Delta Membrane and DRIcore look great. I really like it but look like I have to order online, while I am the type of guy that I need to "touch" it before I can purchase it. Let see if I have other choice first.

Hi Look,
Is this the cork you are talking about? Cork Underlayment Flooring - Rolls and Sheets of cork underlayment - reduce room noise
Or is it the hard piece that is using the locking system? The above roll's price is the same as the 3-in-1 sheet selling at Home Depot (I posted above).
Can I ask if this cork roll is good for moisture barrier too or only for sound/feel?
Do you know any place I can look at in OC?

Again, thanks guys.

[dad911]

Is there no way to solve the moisture problem? I assume the slab is at or below grade.

Grading and drainage outside an issue?

[Oracle]

I bought Dricore @ HomeDepot. Lowes have similar products.

[rnln]

The concrete is at the ground level, and there is no drainage problem that I see.

Anyway, I talked to the wooden floor store about my problem. I also ask him to see is there is any better way to deal with it beside aplying vapor barrier, because my floor already has some kind of black mastic on it. I feel it will be tough to completely remove this thing and clean the concrete. He said that removing this black mastic and clean the floor completely clean is required. If I don't want to do that, than no point to apply vapor barrier because it won't bind to the concrete. The alternative is to get thick plastic sheet from Home Depot on the bottom. Good underlayment net, it has 2 layers, plastic sheet and rubber-like layer. Again, he said this is only the alternative if cleaning the floor is so tough.
Do you think having 2 underlayments underneath the laminate will be ok if I don't apply vapor barrier? Yes, my concrete has moiture problem.

Oracle,
a little more search at Home Depot side and I found this: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xhc/R-100069416/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Is it what you prefered?
How do you install them? Do you nail it down, or glue it down?
After this dricore as subfloor, do you install any underlayment (plasic, foam, etc) or snapping the laminate right on the dricore subfloor?
Thanks.

[Mark Henry]

NO you don't want that stuff! That's what you put on a joist (wood) floor.

Searching the US home debit site I couldn't get a result for dricore, the Canadian home debit site does show dricore
This is the Dricore home site, upper left corner has a dealer locator DRIcore Subfloor Basement Flooring Home Page

I also seached for Delta FL (my bad I said Delta FM) and I found this site and this is definitely the stuff I used.
DELTA®-FL - Vapor Barrier for installation on concrete slabs, provides a warm and dry floor
You could email them to see if they have a dealer in your area.

[Zeke]

Let me catch up.... this is floating floor, right?

I used some snap together flooring that had the cork already bonded to the backside. All they wanted was their plastic membrane which had self sealing edges as you laid it down in 3 foot strips. No bond to sub-floor.

[Mark Henry]

You can special order delta FL at any Lowes

California dealers list. Contact - Distributors USA

[woodman]

Originally Posted by look 171

the last job we did was black Bamboo. It was in an 8th floor penhouse in Westwood. We put on an underlayment of cork to reduce noise for the folks downstairs. Not cheap, but by far the best material for underlayment for you application after the Redguard. The flooor feels rigid unlike foam. People may disagree about the additional cost of cork and how it really isn't necessary. I think its a good choice if you can swing the additional cost. Talk to you flooring supplier or get an opinion from your installer.

What building, just curious. We do a lot of work on Wilshire from the 405 to the Country Club.

[Oracle]

I bought it in HomeDepot and is this product: DRIcore Subfloor Basement Flooring Home Page

My friend used the Delta subfloor that comes in a roll.. I chose not to use that because it has to be glued or nailed to the concrete (recommended way) and it's not any cheaper. Also if the floor is not 100% even your top end floor will show it.

You can shim the dricore and pull it apart if needed (no glue, no nails, no nothing).

Look at the website and browse the FAQ. They used to have videos too.

My sister (same city) decided to use the vapour barrier under the carpet underlay and her basement is really cold and during the summer has that misty smell. Ours is awesome, I put vinyl planks on top of the dricore and is not cold to the touch, kids go down and play without socks and that is when outside is friigin Canadian Winter.

Cork will not help as the concrete slab need to breath, I suppose you can use sealant like someone said but if the waterbed in your area is not deep it will eventually pop that sealant in areas.

My buddy used dricore and in 2 days he finished his basment (pretty square area) and until today he still thinks it was the best thing for his basement.

Next house we build or move I'll do exactly the same thing.



Good luck!


Here I am installing the last two:

Originally Posted by rnln

Oracle,
a little more search at Home Depot side and I found this: Home Advantage 23/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Enhanced OSB Sub-flooring Plywood - 678661 at The Home Depot
Is it what you prefered?
How do you install them? Do you nail it down, or glue it down?
After this dricore as subfloor, do you install any underlayment (plasic, foam, etc) or snapping the laminate right on the dricore subfloor?
Thanks.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Oracle

I bought it in HomeDepot and is this product:
My friend used the Delta subfloor that comes in a roll.. I chose not to use that because it has to be glued or nailed to the concrete (recommended way) and it's not any cheaper. Also if the floor is not 100% even your top end floor will show it.

:

I just did this job with Delta...that's a load of BS.

[Oracle]

We asked Delta and that's what they said... Believe what you want, do as you wish...

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

I just did this job with Delta...that's a load of BS.

[rnln]

Thanks guys.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Oracle

We asked Delta and that's what they said... Believe what you want, do as you wish...

I followed the instructions that came with it to the letter.
Roll it out, tape the over lapping seams with vapor barrier (tuck) tape, cover with the thin foam underlay and then laminate. Been on my floor for year and a half with no issues. Nice warm floor.