Laminate flooring - damp proof membrane for concrete floor

BuntyB

Morning all

My OH is querying if he has to use damp proof membrane specifically for using with laminate flooring or can he use heavy duty plastic sheet.

any thoughts/ advice, thanks

McKneff

Never heard of that before,

We have always just used a good quality laminate floor underlay.

societys_child

You really should use a damp proof membrane over concrete floor.

Provided the "heavy duty plastic sheet" isn't something that's designed to self destruct after a few years it should be ok.

Have to ask though, why not just use the right stuff ?

BuntyB

I thinks my OH thought it would be cheaper but I've already told him the right stuff only about ten to fifteen pounds but he no listen to wifey lol even though I'm usually right

He be checking from work to see if I've posted his query ..........won't u dear ;0)

societys_child

The stuff supplied by the laminate retailer is probably thinner than heavy duty membrane such as Visqeen but it's usually easier to get it lay flat, you don't have to fight with it as much!

If you already have some DPm then I suppose it's very MSE to use that . . . but if you have to buy it anyway, probably cost about the same?

bridgedino

Yes dear I am checking the responses from work. Bearing in mind £5 saved in my pocket is £5 in your purse.... I just wondered if the membrane had to be breathable or if regular heavy polythene sheet would do?

olly300

There is specific underlay sold top put under laminate that is laid on concrete floors.

If you are planning not to move in the next two years I suggest you use the right stuff.

You can buy it online which is much cheaper even with delivery than the price you pay in the shops.

societys_child

You don't want breathable, it needs to be waterproof.

BuntyB

Thanks for the advice :0)

Radsteral

its a blue one being sod in a roll normally and on ground floor its a must
dpm first and overlap on all sides, let it hung up 5 cm on the wall
then underlay then the laminate
when thats installed, just cut any thing left of the dpm above the level of the floor and install the skirting or if skirting already there, you have to install beads to hide the gap between skirting and the floor