Install Question

[mengelke]

Has anyone used the very thin matting under the RaceDeck type flooring? It is the same stuff that goes under wood laminate flooring.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[Richard Givan]

I'm wondering the same thing. I bought a racedeck floor during the Black Friday sale and have them sitting in boxes on the garage floor awaiting installation. Of course, I want to paint the walls first, which means finding a place for a stack of hardwood piled alongside one wall and getting warmer weather in place, so it will be a few months before I get to it.

Still, I would like to know whether it's worth it to buy and lay that foam underlayment. I put down several hundred feet of laminate flooring in my basement a few years ago, so I am on familiar terms with it, and it's not all that expensive if it makes a difference.

So, I second the appeal to anyone having real-life experience with garage tiles with a foam underlayment.

 

[RaceDeck1]

If you choose to use an underlayment on your RaceDeck floor, you can go several routes.
A poly-pro or fiberglass weave landscape felt -
A thing ( less than 1/8" ) closed cell foam pad - careful here as these materials can react with chemicals
the boards you are mention can also work well - you will want the most moisture resistant one you can find.
The only issue with underlayments really is that it creates a vapor barrier with the concrete, so moisture can not escape.