Do I Need a Subfloor to Lay Laminate Floor in a Garage?

Concrete Subfloors

• A pre-existing concrete garage floor provides a ready-made subfloor material that works well with laminate flooring. M ake sure that the surface is smooth and even before installing the laminate flooring. Sweep away all debris, or use a common garden blower to get the concrete as free of dust and dirt as possible. Residual debris can create air pockets that result in gaps and buckles that may not be apparent immediately, but show up down the road.

Pre-existing Vinyl and Tile

• You can also lay some types of laminate flooring material directly on top of pre-existing vinyl or tile. Vinyl will essentially serve as a pseudo floating subfloor material and protective barrier from moisture. Tile can provide a ready-made subfloor that’s flat and level. Both have their advantages as subfloor materials, and you won't have to rip them out.

Underlayment

• If your garage is prone to moisture and humidity, you will also need to install an underlayment. An underlayment serves as a moisture barrier between the subfloor material, such as concrete or plywood, and the laminate flooring. Some types of laminate require an underlayment, and this information will be noted on the packaging. Follow the instructions, and use the recommended products. If you don't use an underlayment when one is recommended, the laminate flooring will be more susceptible to gaps, warping and buckling.

Plywood

• Plywood comes in different grades and types for subflooring. In the case of a garage, you should stick to either exterior-grade plywood, structural plywood or marine plywood. Exterior plywood is stronger than interior plywood and a better subfloor choice for installing laminate on a garage floor. Structural plywood is a step up in terms of strength and durability, which will be beneficial if you will have heavy furnishings on the floor. The heaviest, most durable and most moisture-resistant of all plywood grades is marine plywood. You should use marine plywood if you are installing laminate flooring in a climate that gets a lot of rain, snow or cold.

Considerations

• Weather and exposure to moisture are your key considerations if you decide to install a subfloor in your garage. This is particularly important if you will continue to open and close the garage door. The more the flooring is exposed to elements such as rain and snow, the more your laminate flooring will be at risk for moisture-related damage. You really can’t go wrong when you install a subfloor material prior to laying down laminate flooring in a garage. It will help protect your laminate flooring from potential damage that can happen underneath, and may very well extend the life of your flooring.