My house is on piers with a ¾” subfloor. I would like to install a floating laminate finished floor. Do I have to put down cement backerboard first, or can I just use foam underlayment under the laminate flooring? -Ralph
Hi Ralph,
Cement backerboard is mainly used under tile to provide a stable subfloor that adheres well to thin-set tile adhesive. As long as your existing subfloor is:
- Firm and in good shape.
- Well attached to the joists.
- Level, with no uneven or low spots.
Then you should be fine using just the foam underlayment on your existing subfloor before installing laminate flooring.
Good luck with your project,
Further Information
- How to Level a Subfloor (video)
- How to Install Laminate Flooring (video)
- How to Install Laminate Flooring Over a Tile Floor (article)
- Carpet and Laminate Flooring for Your Home (video)
Can I put vinyl tiles over my cement board floor? I already have layed the cement boarding but change my mind about using tile
Hi D.,
If your cement backer board is smooth and flat (you may need to tape the seams and fill in any low spots), I can’t see any reason why you couldn’t apply vinyl flooring over it.
Good luck with your project!
Can you use cement backboard under laminate flooring? The floor is uneven. The plywood is coming up.
Thanks
I’m getting ready to put travatine tile on a floor over plywood. it is on a second floor. I am using a layer of sound proofing material that says you can lay tile directly on it. Do I still need to put hardy-backer over this layer of sound proofing? What does the hardi-backer do?
Would backer board be good over an older porch floor before gluing down outdoor carpet?
I have a question regarding the use of Permabase Cement Backer Board as a sound deadening material beneath ceramic floor tile on a second story condominium with a plywood sub floor. Is this cement backer board considered a sound deadening material??
Thanks!
Hi, Robert,
We receive numerous questions about specific products; due to the high volume of mail we receive, we do recommend contacting the manufacturer for such inquiries.
In this case, you can find the contact information at http://www.nationalgypsum.com/contact/contact.aspx.
Good luck!