artie

I'm looking to install laminate floors in my basement. The floor is cement. I went to HD yesterday and they sell Pergo, Shaw and Dupont. HD is having a 20% off all laminate floors until 1/19.

Dupont is the most expensive, but they have a padding attached to the back of each board which according to the Dupont call center eliminates the need for addtional padding. A vapor barrier is still needed.

Has anyone used or heard anything about Dupont laminate floors?

I've read on this forum that I should apply 2 coats of concrete sealer after I have totally cleaned the concrete.

Should I place additional padding anyway?
Any other tips?

Anyone know of an installer on Long Island, NY?

Don Benham

I prefer on-attached cusions with laminates. I'm not positive about Dupont's but usually you get an inferior pad when it's included. I prefer a heavier padding. Cork and rubberized make good underlayment materials for floating floors. Quieter and longer-lasting.

Don

__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benham Flooring
__________________________________________

Look, I know the voices in my head aren't real, it's just that lately they've had some really good points.

Teetorbilt

I have installed some DuPont but not much, given the name I would expect a good product.
I'm the one that expounds on sealing the concrete. I live in So. FL where you can't dig a hole 3 ft. deep without hitting water. Most of the state is only a few feet above sealevel and we get over 50 ins. of rain a year. Last Sept. we got 40+ ins. in a month. This is why I advocate sealing slabs here. Your situation may be different.
As to underlay/vapor barrior, I like Armstrong's 2 in 1 when used flooring with the underlay attached. The 1/4" stuff is a bit much.

artie

Thank you for all your help and advice. I really appreciat it. I'll let you know how it goes.

zbwmy

Can you put an underlayment down in addition to the pre attached stuff? I thought Dupont told me not too. I would like the added cushion.

Floorwizard

Do not add an additional padding, that is the reason I do not like the attached pad. You cannot upgrade pad.
Use a 6 mil poly first for moisture.

Dupont has better grade than the one you bought at home depot, but, the quality is still good.

__________________
------------------------
"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

nadonailer

I installed one of these recently and was told additional underlayment was not needed. I suppose you could add it though.

Teetorbilt

I do it all of the time. What is the argument?

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Floorwizard

what is the argument for installing additional pad?

well, it could be too soft and add stress on the joints.

__________________
------------------------
"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"