Laminate directly over 1/2" foam?

[dirttracker18]

Sorry I know this is flooring but I was not getting any hits in the Flooring section so I figured I would try here. Though not technically in the garage, I will be doing some of the work out there

So here is my thought,

Can I lay a laminate floor in my basement over 1/2" foam without having to lay down plywood first?

I realize that is the normal route but 1/2" foam is very dense and will not flex much. This will save a significant amount of money if I can go this route. I am not willing to lay the laminate over the concrete with just the roll out underlayment as I want more insulating value so the floor is not always cold. However, the 2' X 2' panels (choose your brand) are expensive, so too would be the plywood.

Any thoughts from pros or anyone that has tried this??

 

[little d]

Although I have never done it I would think that over time the 1/2" foam would break down. My suggestion would be to go to several flooring stores and look around and see what they suggest. My brother just laid down some vinyl laminate flooring that has a built in insulator and although it is still new, it looks like it is going to hold up well.

 

[ishiboo]

The foam will break down, and the floor will be extremely soft and you will also ruin the laminate by doing so.

The 2x2 panels you are referring to, you can buy the black plastic in whole rolls. Staple to the back of some 3/4" T&G OSB and you have a solution half the price of the 2x2s.

 

[dirttracker18]

The 2x2 panels you are referring to, you can buy the black plastic in whole rolls. Staple to the back of some 3/4" T&G OSB and you have a solution half the price of the 2x2s.

Well that sounds like an interesting solution. I could still put the foam in between for insulating value as well.

I will have to price out the difference.

Thanks for the idea.

Any others? Keep em comin

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

The most common approach to insulating a basement floor-

1-1/2" PT sleepers over a vapor barrier. Layed 16"o/c then fill the cavity between the sleepers with sheets of 1" and 1/2" polystyrene (1-1/2" is almost non-existent). Cover with either 5/8 or 3/4" T&G plywood.
Vapor barrier most extend up the wall approx. 18" and overlap 12" and sealed with tape.
Of course the problem with this type of approach is elevating the floor may interfere with exterior door(s) swing and rise at stairs. Not to mention just overhead clearance.

 

[Zeke]

I don't think 1/2" foam has a terrific amount of R value. You might consider using a layered system. I'd look into typical 1/8th underlayment (the foam type), then a solid piece with another layer on that.

Or maybe use some 30# felt in the layers. If you got super smooth floors, that could be your first course.

The secret to heat transfer (remember, cold is the natural state of the universe, so if you feel cold, it's the heat leaving your environment, not cold entering) is to interrupt heat absorption, or transfer. In this case, it's conduction.

 

[bop_pa]

I laid laminate flooring in my basement years ago and have no issues. I mixed up some floor leveler then laid down a roll of foam underlayment recommended by the flooring people. It has a vapor barrier built in. I taped the seams and everything works good. It feels soft under your feet but yet still solid. Just make sure to do a moisture test to see if it is suitable for laminate flooring.

 

[dirttracker18]

The foam will break down, . . .

Why would the foam "break down."

It is used all the time under basement floors without issue. Perhaps I am missing what you mean by breaking down but I pulled foma out from under a basement floor that had been there for at least 10 years and it looked the same as when it went in.



As far as the sleepers go, no one uses them in this area any more. You can jsut lay down the foam, 5/8 T&G over top and then your finish floor. However, I really think the 1/2" foam will be sufficient so long as I use the poly extruded foam with sufficient density.

In talking to the flooring stores no one can seems to form an opinion. They all just say, interesting thought, might work, not sure.

No one tried it yet?

I may do a test run in a small are with some left over foam and laminate and see how it feels and flexes.

 

[titemotte]

hi old post I know!!
but I want to do something similar and I want to know if you finally made it ?
I would really appreciate any comeback
thanks and have a nice day