How to Install Underlayment For Hardwood Floors
A common type of laminate flooring underlayment is purchased in 100-square-foot rolls. It is a foam underlayment with a moisture-resistant barrier. The barrier helps prevent moisture rising up from concrete subfloors and damaging your laminate flooring. One edge of the underlayment is constructed of plastic with a strip of tape to help keep it in place while it is being installed. There is nothing complicated about installing underlayment and no special tools are involved. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measure the width of the room in which you will install the underlayment; measure from wall to wall. Underlayment is to be installed in the same direction that your flooring will be installed. An example of this is to walk in to the room and stop. If your flooring will be installed horizontally, so will your underlayment.
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Stretch out your underlayment and use a tape measure to find the same length as the width of your walls. Mark the measurement with a felt marker. Place your straight edge on the marked position and cut the underlayment with your box knife.
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Place the underlayment where you will also start your flooring. The ends of the underlayment should be wall to wall and the back edge should also be up against a wall. The moisture-resistant side is to be facing up and the taped strip is facing out.
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Measure and cut another section of underlayment. Fold back the plastic strip on the first section of underlayment and place the second section of underlayment up against the first, but not overlapping. Pull the protective cover off the strip of tape and fold the plastic edge of the first section over the edge of the second section. The tape will keep the sections of laminate from coming apart. Continue this process across the entire room.
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Cut out underlayment covering floor vent holes with your box knife. Before laying out your underlayment, remove the vent cover. Then lay the underlayment directly over the vent hole. Press your blade tip in the center of the location of the vent hole and begin cutting the underlayment away from it. This will help you avoid cutting too much underlayment away from the vent hole.
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