What is likely to be under laminate flooring?

shegar

Why not ask the owners, it would save all the guessing.......:)

loracan1

A lot of victorian terraced will have an asphalt floor.

Leif

penguingirl wrote: »

Just out of interest why would anyone go to the effort of putting laminate over original wooden boards? I can understand that people carpet over them (as my parents found out!), but not sure why you'd laminate over. The only reason I can think is if they were in very bad condition.

I've been in houses with bare floorboards, and it can look pretty ugly if there are big gaps. The laminate flooring will look nicer, though I prefer carpet.

flexrider

under the floorboards

A wine cellar under mine converted from s cellar

If your wondering regarding maintenance you can fit these form pads which goes with the flooring and a form you cover before laying over the floor, either way what we did with fitting ours and as well as keeping heating in it's keeps the floors in good condition also

ic

It could be the original floor, but the edges replaced where rotted timbers have been replaced (as is the case in my own victorian house). TBH I wouldn't want a bare floor downstairs, whenever I lift the carpets I can immediately feel the draughts! If you do go with bare floors, be prepared to run your heating a LOT more and wear extra layers. Unless of course you're first going to pull the whole thing up and insulate underneath first...

As for all the questions about what are they hiding - perhaps a dislike of the hardwork involved in sanding and varnishing and decided to just get el-cheapo laminate as was all the rage a few years ago? Its the same as to why people have woodchip - it was the fashion at one point in the past, it does not mean somebody is always out to bodge a job.

loracan1

ic wrote: »

Its the same as to why people have woodchip - it was the fashion at one point in the past, it does not mean somebody is always out to bodge a job.

I always assume woodchip was used to inflict pain, suffering and horror on future generations.

NB. in my parents victorian terrace the original downstairs floor was flagged.

Chin

thanks all

I think I'm going to rip up the !!!!! laminate they put down and invest in some 'floor board effect' laminate flooring from B&Q.

Is this stuff fairly easy to lay down for someone that classes themselves a little above average at DIY

Aware there needs to be foam underlay and spacers etc..

abankerbutnotafatcat

We have laminate on the lower ground floor of our 1901 townhouse. Under it are glazed tiles - not at all the Victorian ones I was expecting. I've seen it from a couple of areas that were not covered in the laminate due to being boxed in. I was a little disappointed but philosophical about it.

It's quite exciting really but you are probably wise not to rip it up until you are ready (both financially and time wise) to replace it with your preferred option if necessary.

barneyg

i did my first ever attempt at laminate flooring last year and really enjoyed it, wasn't to hard even doing mitred corners for the scotia.

i have quickstep largo which is longer and wider than a lot of laminate and gives a good 'floorboard' effect - probably dearer than the b+q stuff but i know that it is well regarded in the trade due to the quality of it's click system, and i used sonic gold underlay too if it helps (although on top of floor boards i don't think you need the damp barrier)

and i agree with martinthebandit: in my case i wanted to hide a very ugly concrete floor, it wasn't pretty at all