laying laminate on old carpet?

aggi

hi,
just came with idea to put new laminate floor onto top of old carpet instead of buying underlay. just thought it will give more soundproofing.
is it a good or bad idea,
advice please

crazyguy

Personaly think it would be a bad idea as if you get any leaks on the carpet it may well stink and for the cost of the roll of the laminate underlay it is peanuts compared to spending more time lifting a ready layed floor removing the carpet and relaying it !

Francesanne

Don't even consider it. Many years ago my husband laid laminate flooring in our bedroom but decided it was a good idea to leave the underlay and put flooring on top. It was a big mistake but too late by then and had to wait for proper wooden floor to be laid many years later to be rid of underlay.

DVardysShadow

Francesanne wrote: »

Don't even consider it. Many years ago my husband laid laminate flooring in our bedroom but decided it was a good idea to leave the underlay and put flooring on top. It was a big mistake but too late by then and had to wait for proper wooden floor to be laid many years later to be rid of underlay.

And what was the problem?

tony6403

Never seen it done or considered doing it , but my thoughts are
- what would happen at the threshold strip(s) , presumably you would need to trim the bottom of your door(s)
- would the laminate unlock with the compression of the underlying carpet by for example two or three people's weight on a settee
- would any gaps appear between the the new floor and the beading covering the expansion space.
I wouldn't go ahead with this and would install it on the thin underlay as usually recommended by laminate suppliers.

diable

The laminate could "flex" too much on the joints in a high traffic area and give way.

aggi

thank u for all replies,
now i think it was a bad idea:rotfl:
guess getting too greedy

Francesanne

DVardysShadow wrote: »

And what was the problem?

It bounced when you walked on it.

Logan112

It's so funny, I came on to ask exactly the same question!

A friend suggested laying laminate on our carpet but I wasn't sure. Think we'll be removing the carpet...

mr_vampy

Best to remove all old carpet and underlay. I had to go to a job last week where some handyman actually used the carpet underlay and put the laminate on top, and the customer was wondering why the floor was so bouncy.

DebtSniper

mr_vampy wrote: »

Best to remove all old carpet and underlay. I had to go to a job last week where some handyman actually used the carpet underlay and put the laminate on top, and the customer was wondering why the floor was so bouncy.

I'm currently getting quotes to lay some laminate flooring in my living room. One trader has suggested leaving the carpet down.

I didn't really like the idea then, but I definitely don't like it now.

Thanks for the info, guys.