Which chipboard + underlay +laminate combination is best?

icebergx

Hi all,

I'm having a builder lay down some laminate for me and I wanted some advice interns of underlay and if additional sheets of chipboard would be necessary.

All the old carpet and underlay has been removed with just the original thin-ish floorboards left. The floorboards, while in decent condition aren't very pretty (it's a 1960s/70s built house) and there are a few loose/wonky ones.

Anyway, I was thinking of laying down chipboard to level out the floor, to guarantee stability, then lay this type of fibre underlay on top:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/wood-fibre-underlay-boards-7m/7824r#product_additional_details_container

On top of that I intend to lay my 12mm laminate flooring. Is this overkill?
The floorboards aren't too bad, and I figure hammering them down should keep and un-evenness/movement to an absolute minimum.

Which of theses options does in make most sense to go with :
1) 18mm chipboard + simple foam underlay +12mm laminate
2) 5.5mm fibreboard underlay + 12mm laminate
3) 18mm chipboard + 5.5mm fibreboard + 12mm laminate

The ares to be boarded are all bedrooms.

Thanks in advance for your help.

icebergx

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

vansboy

I wouldn't bother with hardboard as it would be an added expense and more work and also a possibility of it not going down as level as you'd hope,

Also DEF NOT the fibre board, as it's very dusty to use and has less benefits than what I will suggest.
Look at the two products that are on the Screwfix page you linked to, instead.

If you ensure the floorbaords are secure - watch out for cable and pipe runs, but screw any that are moving, then use the foam underlay in the areas that are showing most unevenness - you can build up the thickness, with a layer or two and run this out, to obtain a reasonably level appearance. Then board the whole floor with the Vitrex, green boards. They cost more than fibre, but no dust, easy to cut, have both sound and heat insulation properties and are less prone to damage, when laying.

As for 12mm laminate, I'd thing you can find a good product, with less thickness, if you shop around, which will have the same useage qualities, but a bigger saving. Plus less to cut off the bottom of your doors!!

And if you haven't ordered your flooring yet, make a profile on a few of the on-line suppliers and DONT buy straight away. You''l probably get incentive e mails in a week or two, offering another 5% or £50 or some other offer, to tempt you!

VB

VB