Laminating floor help.

jewels123

Hello
I am about to get laminating flooring done in my lounge and dining approx 50 sq m. My builder suggest I do damp treatment before I go ahead with underlay. The cost for it would be around £1100 including labour. Thats because he says the material is around £40/ per roll.
I was suggested by someone if I use Timbermate excel underlay I would not need to worry about anything else as this would prevent the moisture and cold coming thru.
Any suggestions plese,
Thanks

adandem

Is the £1100 just for the damp treatment or everything?
A damp proof membrame is only like a thin layer of polythene, it is quite inexpensive.
There are some underlays which don't require a separate damp proof membrane but not sure which they are.

jewels123

£1100/ is only for the membrane plus laminatine flor charges. Hence I find very expensive.

Boo1964

Do you live in a particularly damp house?

ormus

i think its highly unlikely that you need a damp treatment. ive never done one yet on all the laminate floors ive laid.
what was on the floor before?

jewels123

I have normal floor boards. This is just for precaution. Builder says with time the underlay deteriorates to prevent this it would be good if you get this done. But as I said I am keen on Timbermate's Ecel which has silver layer on one side. It is as under:

Timbermate Excel - 4mm thickness. 15sq,m roll. Best Quality Rubber/Foam Underlay with a built in single layer DPM (Damp Proof Membrane). This underlay is suitable for installations over concrete subfloors (usually ground floors). This roll has a coverage of 15sq,m or 161sq,ft. Duralay Timbermate Excel has the best sound reduction thermal and leveling properties available.

adandem

jewels123 wrote: »

£1100/ is only for the membrane plus laminatine flor charges. Hence I find very expensive.

It is expensive

This DPM is cheap http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9278684&fh_view_size=6&fh_start_index=12&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=underlay&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1202640256058&isSearch=true

Even the all in one underlays are nowhere near what you've been quoted.

quidsinquentin

We have laminate in several rooms, lounge, kitchen, bedrooms, and none needed damp treatment. This is not a particularly damp house, but unless it's coming up through your floor I'd avoid having it.

The underlay also sounds expensive. We've used the fibre boards/and or roll and all have been fine.

If the roll ahs DPM qualities you wouldn't - I would think - need any further DPing. Unless you live next to a river!?

Sounds like a con to me.

quidsinquentin

Are they putting down 'laminate' or 'real wood' panels???

jewels123

Normal laminate flooring 12 mm thickness. Plus I do not live near river. Anyone tried the one I mentioned ie Timbermate excel.

Thanks again

Andy_Hamilton

Your builder is pulling your leg!
Your house must be damp proof or your floorboards would be rotten!
I needed a damp proof menbrane because I was putting it straight onto a concrete floor. When laminate flooring over floorboards you want to remove noise and improve insulation, that is it.
You can use the green fibreboard or a good quality foam. I have used this stuff which is great for noise (when you drop things) http://www.screwfix.com/prods/23456/Flooring/Flooring-Accessories/High-Performance-Underlay-10m;jsessionid=DQ54QSSTEHD4ECSTHZOCFGA

One thing to do is to tape the edges of the underlay to stop it slipping all over.

If you still go ahead with DPM then be warned, if you have a leak or spill the water will go down through the boards then spread over a large area causing loads of damage instead of local damage (speaking from experence)