Laminate flooring in Loft with Concrete Floor...

[nerd]

Hi!
I've been told that we need to put down a vapor barrier because of moisture in the concrete from the soil below it, but it's on the 2nd floor.

Do I have to install vapor barrier if there's no soil below it?

Thanks!

[patrob]

Hi!
I've been told that we need to put down a vapor barrier because of moisture in the concrete from the soil below it, but it's on the 2nd floor.

Do I have to install vapor barrier if there's no soil below it?

Thanks!

If on 2nd floor, you don't need a moisture barrier. But you need some kind of underlay specified by the floor manufacturer and if it's a condo loft, then it has to be approved by the condo management.

[nerd]

If on 2nd floor, you don't need a moisture barrier. But you need some kind of underlay specified by the floor manufacturer and if it's a condo loft, then it has to be approved by the condo management.
The manager here doesn't care. We order a status certificate and they phone us 3 weeks later asking if we phoned them a few days before.

[shybutsly]

Since you are on the second floor, there may not be someone living below you (lobby, other facility, etc...). But if there is someone living below you, you will want to invest in an underlayment that does a good job of absorbing sound. Otherwise they could rightfully complain about you.

The vapour barrier is cheap (usually just plastic) so I would use it even if you don't think it is that necessary. Alternatively, some underlays also act as a vapour barrier.

[patrob]

The manager here doesn't care. We order a status certificate and they phone us 3 weeks later asking if we phoned them a few days before.

So there is no one below you? Then if the manager doesn't care all you need is the usual underlay that you would use for laminate...which would be sold at the same place you get the laminate. Don't get the cheapest laminate because some look very bad...get something in the middle...

Also depends if you will be installing it yourself or a professional... Laminate that has a click/snap system is the best choice since it will not come apart. There is also laminate that you can glue down, which is cheaper but more messy to install & edges can more easily come apart if not done properly.

;)

[gizmo8]

you dont need a vapor barrier on the floor,buy some good underlay and install the flooring ....if its the snap and lock system make sure the flooring is flat or you get the trampoline feeling when walking over the lifting panels..

[Fraggle]

On a concrete floor you need something to keep the moisture away from the flooring... Don't put just foam under the laminate. You can either go for the cheap plastic covered foam at home depot (if your lacking in the funds dept), or you can get delta membrane flooring (cheapest to buy it in a roll at home hardware building centers $73.00 for 200ft, theres one on aurora on wellington st, sry only one I know of).


GL

[dealdiggerMississauga]

I used to live in a condo about 7 years ago, laminate was just gettinbg popular at that time. I hired a company, it was a small local contractor, I don't have his number anymore. Anyway, he put plastic, it was a big roll of thin plastic, and thin foam. It didn't cost me too much, but I think it's what you need to do in order to do it right.