How to Install Underlayment for a Laminate Floor With Staples

Laminate floor underlayment serves a few specific purposes. It acts as a sound deadener to quiet floors and provides a layer of thermal insulation to a house. Some types of underlayment can also block moisture from penetrating the back of the laminate flooring. Underlayment provides a cushion to the floor when standing or walking across. Many laminate floors require underlayment, while others come with attached underlayment. Fastening underlayment is acceptable over subfloors that will allow staple penetration including plywood, oriented strand board or existing vinyl flooring.

Things You'll Need

• Power screwdriver
• Hammer
• Ring shank nails
• Joint filler
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Heavy-duty stapler

Instructions

1. Inspect the existing subfloor for protruding screws or nails. Use a power screwdriver to sink screws or a hammer to drive nails back in place.

2. Walk across the subfloor, taking note of areas that squeak or feel loose. Drive ring shank nails through the subfloor into the floor joists to secure the subflooring and eliminate squeaks and give.

3. Fill in joint seams, knots and low spots with joint filler. Apply joint filler to recesses with a putty knife, building it up to flush with the existing subfloor, and allow it to dry for one to two hours. Sand the surface of the joint filler with 120-grit sandpaper to make it smooth. Sand high spots on the subfloor with 120-grit sandpaper to level it.

4. Roll out the underlayment and align the corner of the underlayment to the corner of the room. Use a heavy-duty stapler with galvanized staples to tack the corner of the underlayment in place. Flatten the underlayment and pull it taut. Drive staples in every 1 1/2 inches around the perimeter of the underlayment. Drive staples in every 4 inches over the underlayment field. Unfurl the second roll of underlayment and staple in place as you did the first roll. Continue to staple underlayment until you have covered the subfloor.

5. Run your hand over the underlayment and feel for staples that are projecting above the underlayment. Use a hammer to drive the staples into the subfloor.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose underlayment based on the manufacturer's recommendations.

References

• "Floors, Walls and Ceilings"; Creative Homeowner Editors; 2007
• "Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual"; Family Handyman Magazine Editors; 2005