Underlay - laminate flooring

MaggieBaking

We've got concrete flooring downstairs where we're putting laminate down. Do I need anything going down for damp?

What underlay do you recommend? Thanks for any advice.

BaileyB

Yes you do need it, buy some sonic gold 5mm underlay, eBay is the cheapest place. Just bought 2 rolls for £50 and it's alot better than the stuff from b and q etc.

MaggieBaking

Thanks for this - I'm still confused as to whether I need damp proof or not with a concrete floor?

I've just bought the laminate and am storing it in the house now - do I need to open the packs? Some of them tore as I was laying them down anyway.

evoke

You'll need a 'DPM' - a damp-proof membrane. A top-end underlay will usually have a gold foil top layer to provide this. It's worth investing in the best underlay you can afford. I bought mine direct from Wilson's Underlay - it was Timbermate Silent Floor underlay:

https://www.wilsons-carpet-underlays.co.uk/store/productdetails.php?id=124

Even the flooring fitter was impressed as he said he'd charge £70 a roll for that stuff!

DomRavioli

I have asphalt flooring in all my downstairs rooms, and i found the best, and cheapest was newspaper! Dampens the sound, also helps with moisture issues and doesn't cost £30.00 a roll. Friend of mine works at Floors-2-Go and suggested it, very glad he did!