Laminate flooring underlay...

BCSapper

I have a concrete floor with radiant heat (1ft down) and I'm laying laminate flooring. I opened the laminate packaging to acclimatise it some time ago. I never opened the foam underlay though.

This morning, as we started to lay the black poly for the moisture barrier I opened the underlay to cut it to the right size. I was almost knocked down by the odour. We have it in the garage laid out to try and reduce the odour and we have taken tylenol for the headaches.

My questions:

Has anyone else experienced this?

Did you lay it regardless?

If you did, did the odour go away?

Can I do without underlay under a laminate floor?

Can I put the vapour barrier on top as well as below the underlay to try and reduce the odour?

Is there an underlay I can buy that doesn't have odour? I'll eat the loss on this stuff if I have to.

I have to go lay down. Thanks for any help on this...

canadaclub

Good question Sapper...I installed a plastic runner in a home on the stairs leading down to the daughter's basement bedroom. You should have heard the fireworks from the dad! It honestly smelled like someone was smoking weed!!

All new products have a distinctive smell but they dissipate over time..sadly, this is true of that "new car smell".

I'm surprised that the heated floor element is a foot below but that is inconsequential at this point. You can purchase an underlay which incorporates a vapour barrier.

Dave

plowboy

There is a laminate underlay called Silencer that will help quiet the laminate floor and it has antimicrobial properties as well as moisture barrier attached. Good stuff! DO NOT install laminate on concrete without moisture barrier. All wood and laminate will absorb moisture if laid on concrete. The laminate will fail.

novice64

Can anybody tell me the best brand or type of underlayment I should use to install the following laminate floor on a concrete slab?

here is the link for the type of laminate floor: http://www.homedepot.com/Featured-Pr...3#BVRRWidgetID

plowboy

www.silencerunderlayment.com

BCSapper

Thanks all.

I phoned a local Rona and purchased some underlay that has no odour. I'm returning the bad stuff. I ran it out on my deck for a couple of hours in a fairly brisk wind but the stuff still choked me when I brought it back in the house. It really is quite a stunning chemical odour.

Anyway, I'm about 10 rows done, with black poly and underlay between the concrete and the laminate. Looking good so far...