How to Lay Down Underlayment Below Wood Laminate

The pieces in a laminate floor snap together to stay in place rather than attaching to the floor underneath. Laminate can go over existing flooring, but you do need underlayment, which is typically made from a foam material. Laminate underlayment comes in rolls and is placed over the entire area where the laminate is installed. For laminate placed over concrete, or a tile floor with concrete underneath, you also need a vapor barrier to protect the floor. A combo vapor barrier and underlayment takes care of both requirements. Proper installation is key to protecting the laminate.

Pry bar
Broom
Vapor barrier
Tape
Underlayment

Instructions

- 1
  Pry the baseboard trim carefully off of the wall. Mark the pieces if you're reusing the existing trim so you can easily put it back in place.
- 2
  Remove the existing flooring if you currently have carpet or a wood floor glued directly to concrete. Other flooring types can remain in place with the laminate placed on top.
- 3
  Sweep away the dirt and debris from the area of the floor where you are installing the laminate.
- 4
  Unroll the vapor barrier if you are using one for your project. Lay the vapor barrier parallel to the longest wall in the room. Overlap the sheets of vapor barrier by 7 inches to prevent moisture from seeping up through the seams. Tape the sheets of vapor barrier together so they stay in place.
- 5
  Unroll the underlayment material and place it on top of the vapor barrier. Lay the underlayment parallel to the longest wall as you did with the vapor barrier. Butt the additional pieces of underlayment next to the previously installed pieces instead of overlapping. Tape the edges together so the underlayment doesn't shift.

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