Is Cement Backerboard Subfloor Needed Under Laminate Flooring?

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)

7 COMMENTS

D Givens May 8, 2011 at 11:01 pm

Can I put vinyl tiles over my cement board floor? I already have layed the cement boarding but change my mind about using tile

- Ben Erickson May 18, 2011 at 10:09 am
  
  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!
  
Kathy November 6, 2011 at 10:06 am

Can you use cement backboard under laminate flooring? The floor is uneven. The plywood is coming up.

Thanks

mark mcelrea June 13, 2015 at 11:55 am

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?

Paul marcotte November 9, 2017 at 9:32 am

Would backer board be good over an older porch floor before gluing down outdoor carpet?

Robert Delgado April 15, 2018 at 1:17 pm

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!

- Thomas Boni April 20, 2018 at 8:55 am
  
  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!