How To Lay Foil Underlay For Laminate Flooring

Installing laminate flooring can be a great way to update your home's look and feel, and it's a relatively easy project that can be completed in a few hours by an average DIYer using simple tools. However, there are a few steps that you need to take to ensure that your laminate flooring installation is a success, and one of those is laying down a foil underlay.

Foil underlay is a thin layer of material that is placed between the subfloor and the laminate flooring. It serves two main purposes: first, it acts as a moisture barrier to protect the laminate flooring from moisture that may come up from the subfloor; and second, it provides a smooth, even surface for the laminate flooring to be installed on.

Laying foil underlay is a relatively simple task, but there are a few things that you need to keep in mind to ensure that it is done correctly. Here are the steps on how to lay foil underlay for laminate flooring:

Tools and Materials

Foil underlay
Tape measure
Utility knife
Staple gun
Staples

Measure and Cut the Underlay

The first step is to measure the area where you will be installing the laminate flooring. Once you have the measurements, cut the foil underlay to size using a utility knife.

Lay the Underlay

Once the underlay is cut to size, lay it down on the subfloor. Make sure that the foil side of the underlay is facing up.

Overlap the Seams

When laying the underlay, overlap the seams by about 6 inches. This will help to create a moisture barrier and prevent the seams from coming apart.

Tape the Seams

Once the underlay is laid down, tape the seams together using duct tape. This will help to keep the underlay in place and prevent it from moving around.

Staple the Underlay

Once the seams are taped, staple the underlay to the subfloor using a staple gun. Space the staples about 12 inches apart.

Install the Laminate Flooring

Once the underlay is installed, you can begin installing the laminate flooring. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing the laminate flooring.