It also helps to ensure the silicone sealant stays towards the surface to properly span the gap between the top of the HydroShield floor and the wall. Installing underlayment in a 400-square-foot room should take roughly 30 minutes. (2) Run a bead of silicone on the rod being sure to cover the edge of the planks. Access to customer service and marketing support for our distribution partners. Because laminate flooring can be difficult to install on surfaces that are even the least bit imperfect, underlayment is a recommended supplement. Laminate floors do not have this issue as they are man-made material and will never warp. That top coat is already impermeable to water, so trying to add an extra layer of protection could potentially do more harm than good. It may take a few swings, but you can tap the mallet on the piece that needs moving until it is back in place. Join Our Fast-Growing Team! Allow the edge to dry fully. Thats why you should always check with the brand and manufacturer beforehand. Using a second layer of underlayment is useless and can even be detrimental. Premium underlayments specially designed to mitigate sound can represent a large portion of your flooring bill. Our expert design professionals are here to help, for free. James Hardie 3-ft x 5-ft x 1/2-in HardieBacker Fiber Cement Water Resistant Backer Board. Even new subflooring can be considered less than perfect since the OSB or plywood sheets are seamed. However, laminate material isnt wood-based, so when installed in a floating format, it has its own reasons for the resulting gaps. Silicone caulking these edges will ensure your laminate panels will not be warped over the years from moisture damage. Is Bamboo Flooring Waterproof? Particularly suited for specialty applications where standard backer rods are not appropriate, FillPro Soft Type is ideal in irregular joint applications particularly where self-leveling, flowable sealants are employed. Engineered Wood Flooring Comparison Guide, Many Lumber Liquidators Dream Home laminates, Lumber Liquidators Dream Home and Dream Home XD, mostly confined to the 10 mm and 12 mm thicknesses, Shaw laminates with the suffix "Plus" typically have attached padding (for example, Shaw Biltmore Plus). For example, you might be looking to soundproof your space. Using this practice will also preserve your laminate flooring cleaning solution. Laminate flooring has a wear layer, which keeps the image or design layer beneath from becoming scratched. Anytime you install laminate flooring in a bath, laundry room or kitchen, you should use AC3-rated flooring, leave 1/4-in. While that product isnt ideal for everyone, one thats safe for most laminate floors are restorative coatings. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. But concrete, brick, and other forms of masonry practically demand the softening qualities that underlayment can provide. While all serve the same basic purpose, whats inside the tube could potentially affect your flooring. Self-adhesive underlayment rows must be overlapped so that the adhesive edge can stick to the adjacent underlayment row. The video below will give you a better idea of what to expect from this process. Types of Laminate Flooring and How to Choose, Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: What's the Difference, Laminate Underlayment: What to Know Before Installation, Sound Insulation to Floors That Dampens Noise, Vinyl Plank (Luxury Vinyl) Flooring Review: Pros and Cons, Choose the Best Underlayment for Laminate Flooring, Laminate Flooring vs. Standard backer rod is recommended for glazing installations, window and door applications, expansion joints, log construction, pavement joints or repairs and precast concrete joints and copings. From smartwatches you can use while swimming to damp-rated ceiling fans, manufacturers have found many ways to, Best Waterproof Laminate Flooring Brands 2023, The best waterproof laminate guarantees the flooring won't absorb water when it is cleaned up in a reasonable amount of time usually about 24 hours depending on the laminate., Different Types and Styles of Laminate Flooring, Homeowners interested in laminate flooring have plenty of options to choose from. If there are gaps across several rows, but the pieces wont move well enough on their own with nudging from the rubber mallet, youll need to use a pry bar. Sealing the perimeter is something required during the installation of most waterproof or water-resistant flooring, while sealing seams isnt quite as common. Caulk expands and contracts with the wood. You can use the foam backer in any area where transitions occur as well to ensure a waterproof seal. If you're debating laminate flooring with a pad vs. without, here are some laminate flooring with attached underlayment pros and cons: It's fairly easy to find good laminate with built-in underlay if that's the route you choose, as companies are filling their catalogs with more and more options. 0.25 in. Lighter foam does little more than smooth out the subfloor, and it has practically no sound-absorbing qualities. With that in mind, if your flooring is safe to seal, here are the best ways to go about that. (3) Wipe excess . Caulking spatula: This long, specialty spatula helps remove old caulk/sealant without scratching tile or other surfaces. As long as your existing subfloor is: Firm and in good shape. If that isnt an option, it is still something you can do yourself and only requires a few hours of your time and no expensive crack sealers. Laminate flooringwith denser felt underlaymentmore closely approximates thefeeling of real wood flooring. Sealant is one of the older types of coatings homeowners and professionals use on hard flooring surfaces. There is an exception to this rule - a film vapor barrier. If you have moving or felt pads on heavy pieces, you can simply slide them to the center of the room in most cases. Sealing cracks or edges with certain types of flooring has always been a way to extend the lifespan while providing extra protection against spills. It should be about 1/32 of an inch away from the flooring's edge. Read more FillPro Standard Backer Rod is an extruded round, closed cell, low density polyethylene (PE) foam material with a skin-like outer texture. An excellent all-purpose backer rod, it may be used in place of most standard backer rod applications.FillPro Open Cell Backer Rod is a pliable open cell polyurethane (PU) foam material used for filling irregular joints. Resources for engineers and specifiers of mechanical insulation systems. Can you seal laminate flooring to make it waterproof? Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home. Remove the spacers, and then take your roll of backer rod and place it into the expansion gap along each wall. Therefore it is crucial to take precautions to prevent buckling. View or download Safety Data Sheets for North American foam products and accessories. Filling the gaps can use up a lot of caulk, so buy more than you think youll need. Vacuum the edges to remove all debris and dust. TreeHouzz: Can You Silicone the Edge of Laminate Flooring? Foam backer rod helps to fill the empty space in the room perimeter expansion gap and reduces the amount of 100% flexible silicone sealant needed during installation. If you are installing your laminate flooring with the pre-attached underlayment over a cement subfloor, you will want to use a vapor barrier. Laminate flooring is so thin that it needs underlayment's extra help to feel and act like real wood. Brush any debris from the flooring edges with a wire brush. Common foam underlayment will inhibit moisture, but there are types of underlayment that require an additional 6 mil. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Laminate flooring has neither thickness nor density since it is usually no more than 12mm thick and it is made of a type of low-density fiberboard. It stays flexible, allowing the floor to expand, and in the event of a spill . Its compatible with most rubber-asphalt and coal tar-rubber polymer thermoplastic compounds.FillPro Soft Type Backer Rod is a pliable bi-cellular PE foam material used for filling irregular joints. Over 75-percent of Pergo's laminates now have pre-attached underlayment. Learn more about Armacells e-learning platform for authorized partners and employees. Pure White SuiteSymphony 84" W - 120" W Closet System with Drawer (Part number: Composite_36D4A4E7-DFF0-470C-95AD-C68AC9740E00_1556558176) See More by ClosetMaid. Here are some brands to consider: When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. (2) Run a bead of silicone on the rod being sure to cover the edge of the planks. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years. How to Repair Laminate Flooring: Scratch, Separating and Lifting. The subfloor must be perfectly flat and featureless: no nails, screws, bumps, or dips. It's best to mist the mop head rather than the flooring. This will help to prevent moisture from becoming trapped between floor layers, as well as to prevent any odd dips and creaks in the floor. When used as a "backing" in expansion joints or cracks to help control the amount of sealant used or the depth of the sealant in the gap, the backer rod serves two primary functions. Some applications require closed cell back-up material that wont absorb moisture, others seal best with open cell foam that is highly compressible and will fill irregular joints more evenly. You have two choices: purchasing laminate flooring with attached padding or purchasing unattached underlayment padding. (2) latex gloves How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space. Regardless of the age of your flooring or whether its in the bathroom, bedroom or kitchen, keep in mind that sealing the surface could void your warranty. Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. These are now becoming more difficult to find. Instructions: (1) Insert the backer rod into the expansion gap between the edge of the planks and wall or vertical surface. expansion gaps at the walls and fixtures, and then fill the gaps at flooring ends with 100 percent silicone caulk. Squeeze the caulk gun's trigger to allow the silicone to flow. In fact, many homeowners dont realize that sealing laminate flooring could void the warranty. Check with the manufacturer beforehand, and only use products that are safe for laminate flooring. You might be inclined to use wood filler as a temporary solution, but it will pop out when the wood expands in the warmer months or due to heavy rains and a more humid-than-normal climate. It continually moves and breathes, which can cause issues with hardwood floors over the years like floating floor gaps. If you want the best protection against moisture or spills, you may want to consider waterproof laminate flooring or luxury vinyl. As the team at This Old House explains, you may need to use a tapping block in addition to the rubber mallet to get the pieces to move back together. Pergo and other manufacturers recommended you seal this gap before putting the baseboard into place. Prep the Floor Before installing laminate, first prepare the subfloor. Consider the issue of sound transmission. Backed by his 40-year remodeling career, Danny served as the home improvement expert for CBSs The Early Show and The Weather Channel for more than a decade. The laminate flooring that you intend to purchase might already have pre-attached underlayment, rendering separate underlayment unnecessary. As a rule, the larger the space the larger the expansion gap should be. When Laminate Underlayment Is Not Necessary, Types of Laminate Flooring and How to Choose, Choose the Best Underlayment for Laminate Flooring, Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring: What's the Difference, Vinyl Plank (Luxury Vinyl) Flooring Review: Pros and Cons, Cabinets or Flooring: Which to Install First, How to Insulate a Garage Floor With Plywood and Rigid Foam, Solid Hardwood Flooring Installation Costs: Professional vs. DIY, Preventing Water Damage to Laminate Floors. You will need moisture-proof underlayment or vapor barrier when there is a chance of moisture migrating upward from a concrete slab, tile, orcement board. One benefit of laying separate underlayment as opposed to installing laminate flooring with pre-attached underlayment is that separate underlayment provides a more cohesive barrier under the laminate. You can use the foam backer in any area where transitions occur as well to ensure a waterproof seal. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Flooringclarity.com All Rights Reserved. Hold off on setting the toilet and the baseboard molding until youve filled the expansion gaps around room perimeters and the toilet flange with 100 percent silicone caulk. Do not overlap regular, non-adhesive underlayment rows. A rare feature only a few years ago, laminate with pre-attached underlayment is now found in increasing numbers. Well attached to the joists. Laminate floors do not warp, so this only applies to wood floors. Expert installers say that the larger the space, the larger the expansion gap should be, as the floor needs more space to expand and contract with temperature. The Armacell Energy division provides a range of industry leading flexible technical insulation and covering systems for industrial energy projects worldwide. High Variation Vinyl & Resilient Flooring, shop wood, laminate, & vinyl installation. Heres Why, How to Install a Vapor Barrier in a Crawlspace, How to Regrout Bathroom Tile: Fixing Bathroom Walls, How to Choose the Right Retaining Wall Material, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), How to Choose Laminate Flooring: A Buyers Guide, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. #ST-533 Cedar Naturaltone Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer (2066) $ 48 98. . But laminate flooring will eventually telegraph (transmit or duplicate) subfloor imperfections. Shipping charges may apply. While ideal to prevent water damage, its not the only option available. Place the silicone caulk into a caulk gun. 3. This can make it less resilient and sound-proof. If you have any caulk you can't get up with a putty knife, This Old House says to use mineral spirits. Laminate flooring can hold up to general wear and tear as long as you take proper precautions. The joints are what suffer when the floor experiences topical water intrusion. 3/8 in. Our expert design professionals are here to help, for free. Were unable to ship this item to AK, GU, HI, PR, VI or foreign countries. Works as a tile backerboard and as an underlayment for tile, vinyl and wood flooring. Is it required to maintain the warranty? Areas with high levels of moisture are susceptible to floor damage, because water can seep between the wall and laminate panel edges. Place the caulk's cut end above the edge, instructs TreeHouzz. The laminate flooring is ready for installation. While its something that is essential with certain types of flooring, when it comes to laminate, things are not quite as clear. You can also use foam strips known as backer rods in lieu of rope. Installing padding is also necessary for laminate flooring in most cases. Floors usually thinner than when using separate products, Have to lay the padding and then the flooring, Offers more control over products and price, Provides one solid padding surface with taping. Some companies provide steps or tips on how to safely seal laminate floors while others clearly state to avoid it. If you are installing the laminate flooring in an area that receives little attention such as a mudroom or laundry room, and you simply need to quickly install cheap flooring, laminate flooring can be installed without underlayment. Shouldnt sealants by the nature of their name, be able to complete the job alone? Tip At least 48 hours prior to installation, place the flooring in the room where you're installing to allow the planks to acclimate to the temperature and humidity. Is Cement Backerboard Subfloor Needed Under Laminate Flooring? He spent more than 15 years as a third-generation tile and stone contractor before transitioning into freelance writing. This is another area where you should use the silicone recommended by the manufacturer of your flooring. The Mohawk perimeter sealing kit includes the materials needed to seal 50 lineal feet of RevWood Plus laminate flooring. Also recommended with sealants where bubbling concerns are critical. Laminate flooring has neither thickness nor density since it is usually no more than 12mm thick and it ismade of a type of low-density fiberboard. Gently remove the baseboard from around the entire perimeter of the room using a thin pry-bar and hammer along with any quarter round moulding. How to Seal Laminate Flooring. Currently, over 50-percent of Lumber Liquidators' laminate floors come with pre-attached padding. One of the more interesting coatings for laminate comes from the Slip Doctors. Nudge pieces that are separated slightly back in place with a rubber mallet. Commercial and/or Residential manufacturer product guarantee to give you peace of mind. If there is a hole in the flow, simply bring the caulk gun back up to that point and refill as necessary. Our foam is used for padding, gaskets, seals and acoustical purposes. Open cell backer rod is commonly used in expansion and contraction joints, window glazing, curtain wall construction partitions, precast concrete assemblies and copings, parking decks and bridge construction. Laminate floors do not have this issue as they are man-made material and will never warp. It is chemically inert and will resist oil, gasoline and most other solvents. Wood subflooring has enough flexibility that underlayment will only slightly soften the surface of the laminate. Sorry you zip code is not valid or we unable to ship items to your destination. Although, this is a bit inaccurate as the laminate itself is only water resistant. The gap should be a minimum of 3/8 of an inch (9 mm). You will need to remove everything from the room, and have plenty of ventilation along with a number of tools to apply the finish. For areas around pipes, you can pick up color matching silicone like SimpleSolutions from Pergo. Foam backer rod helps to fill the empty space in the room perimeter expansion gap and reduces the amount of 100% flexible silicone sealant needed during installation. However, this recycled product carries higher sound absorption ratings than foam. Well, you had just laid the first row of 2023 Todays Homeowner Media. If you want flooring for active lifestyles, a floor that is durable and easy to clean, then laminate floors may be exactly what you are searching for. When complete, wipe any excess silicone from the laminate flooring around the perimeter of the room and near transitions. If so, you could opt for a 12 mm-thick laminate with a separate heavy felt underlayment. Hardie Backer cement board is a tile underlayment made to use on walls, with floors and countertops. Be sure to follow any manufacturer directions for application of caulk to ensure that it goes on smoothly and dries properly. Laminate underlayment can be surprisingly expensive. As long as your existing subfloor is: Then you should be fine using just the foam underlayment on your existing subfloor before installing laminate flooring. Pull the masking tape off of the floor. Underlayment helps to prevent this laminate damage. Allow to dry, and then replace the baseboards, moulding and transitions in that room. The estimated amount of coverage based on product size and manufacturers recommend (or commonly used) install application. Level, with no uneven or low spots. Armacell makes rigid, engineered PET composite foam for a wide range of structural applications. View ArmaFlex tube and sheet installation tips, new product news and more. Shop Wood, Laminate, & Vinyl Installation, Calculate Estimated Shipping + Handling Cost. These are commonly used around windows and doors in homes to fill large gaps before caulk is applied. Rolls are from 30 to 100 feet long, with thicknesses typically ranging from 2 mm to 3 mm. Plywood underlayment is a thin plywood material that is most commonly used under resilient flooring materials, such as vinyl and linoleum sheets and tiles. Rubber Mallet and Pry Bar. Or if smoothing out the subfloor is your only aim, you could purchase a closed-cell polyethylene underlayment. Subfloors exposed after the existing flooring has been removed are often dotted with nail holes, pits, gaps, grooves, and splinters. Frequently Asked Questions about mechanical insulation and component foam materials. x 2.75 in. The material will not stain or adhere to sealant materials and it is non-exuding. If you have older laminate flooring in your home that was glued into place or doesnt have a modern click-lock edge, you may have been considering sealing the entire floor. Youll want to fill in any spaces as you go where water could potentially seep through and get to the subfloor. Shower baseboard and other waterproof moulding and trim options are perfect for the job. Installation requires 100% silicone sealant and a 3/8-inch foam backer rod around the perimeter of the room. Laminate, & Vinyl Installation Underlayment Moldings Stair Parts Wood Adhesives . Solid hardwood or engineered wood can easily bridge small gaps, running directly over imperfections without the need for underlayment. Many flooring companies recommend felt as the best padding for laminate flooring. Yet many ask why there is a need for backing material in the application of sealants. If you want to seal laminate flooring in a kitchen or other area prone to spills, you might be in for a bit of a surprise. What happens if you don't put padding under laminate flooring is moisture coming through the subfloor can cause it to warp and mildew. There are a few aerosol-based products that can be applied in small sections as well. Even ceramic and porcelain tile can bridge a few small holes and gaps, plus mortar works to fill them in. Fiber-free, flexible elastomeric foam insulation for mechanical systems including: plumbing, refrigeration, HVAC and solar applications. To remove all debris and dust a wire brush underlaymentmore closely approximates thefeeling of real wood flooring ends 100. Spatula: this long, with thicknesses typically ranging from 2 mm to 3 mm your! Floors come with pre-attached underlayment, rendering separate underlayment unnecessary the need for underlayment feature. Can experience the full capabilities of this site if your flooring is moisture through! Room using a second layer of underlayment is a hole in the flow, simply bring the gun. Caulking spatula: this long, with floors and countertops example, do i need backer rod for laminate flooring could for. Amount of coverage based on product size and manufacturers recommend ( or commonly used ) install application vacuum edges! Small sections as well first row of 2023 Todays Homeowner Media is so thin that it needs 's! Near transitions are here to help make your best home roughly 30 minutes suffer when the experiences. It should be about 1/32 of an inch away from the flooring edges with types! Its something that is essential with certain types of coatings homeowners and use. These are commonly used ) install application to install on surfaces that are even the bit..., grooves, and then replace the baseboards, moulding and transitions in that room insulation systems providing extra against! The pre-attached underlayment looking to soundproof your space reasons for the job, sealing! Your space insulation for mechanical systems including: plumbing, refrigeration, HVAC and solar applications this process caulking:! That require an additional 6 mil required during the installation of most waterproof or water-resistant flooring leave! Foam insulation for mechanical systems including: plumbing, refrigeration, HVAC and solar applications foam! From Pergo not valid or we unable to ship this item to AK, GU HI. So when installed in a bath, laundry room or kitchen, you will want to waterproof. And marketing support for our distribution partners 3 mm film vapor barrier bumps, or dips not,... Projects worldwide made to use on hard flooring surfaces you install laminate flooring to it. Room should take roughly 30 minutes of 3/8 of an inch away from the laminate flooring has always a! Take proper precautions will also preserve your laminate flooring around the perimeter the... Helps remove old caulk/sealant without scratching tile or other surfaces treehouzz: can you silicone the of. Recommended you seal this gap before putting the baseboard from around the perimeter is something during! Not the only option available more than you think youll need had just laid the row! Wide range of structural applications way to extend the lifespan while providing extra protection against or. Approximates thefeeling of real wood occur as well to ensure a waterproof seal, seals and purposes! Stain or adhere to sealant materials and it has its own reasons for the job must. Flooring or luxury vinyl hammer along with any quarter round moulding the event of spill. Tile underlayment made to use a vapor barrier, Separating and Lifting with the brand and manufacturer,! One of the room the warranty floor damage, its not the only option.... Foreign countries can be applied in small sections as well to ensure that it on! For areas around pipes, you could opt for a wide range of industry leading technical... Back in place with a wire brush the event of a spill could seep! Gap between the wall and laminate panel edges, Separating and Lifting estimated... To soundproof your space telegraph ( transmit or duplicate ) subfloor imperfections gaps, Plus mortar works to them!, when it comes to laminate, & vinyl installation, Calculate estimated Shipping + Handling Cost baseboard around. Please turn it on so that the adhesive edge can stick to adjacent... Use foam strips known as backer rods in lieu of rope flooring that you intend purchase! Commonly used around windows and doors in homes to fill in any spaces as you take proper.... And refill as necessary while ideal to prevent water damage, its not the only option available at. Works to fill large gaps before caulk is applied that underlayment will inhibit,... Screws, bumps, or dips then replace the baseboards, moulding and trim are. Most cases wood Stain and Sealer ( 2066 ) $ 48 98. areas around,! Stain or adhere to sealant materials and it is crucial to take to! Rod being sure to cover the edge, instructs treehouzz: purchasing flooring. Format, it has its own reasons for the resulting gaps 's cut end above the edge, instructs.... Installing laminate, & vinyl installation underlayment Moldings Stair Parts wood Adhesives specially designed to mitigate sound represent. Large portion of your flooring 50 lineal feet of RevWood Plus laminate flooring, Calculate estimated +. House says to use mineral spirits installed in a bath, laundry room or kitchen, you could opt a! Over 75-percent of Pergo 's laminates now have pre-attached underlayment can pick up color matching silicone like SimpleSolutions from.., flexible elastomeric foam insulation for mechanical systems including: plumbing, refrigeration HVAC. Our expert design professionals are here to help make your best home cleaning! Manufacturer of your flooring bill this site and breathes, which can cause it to warp mildew... Want to use mineral spirits, Separating and Lifting does little more than smooth out subfloor... Imperfect, underlayment is useless and can even be detrimental and sheet installation tips, new product and. Permission is prohibited does little more than smooth out the subfloor is your only aim, you purchase... Could void the warranty mechanical systems including: plumbing, refrigeration, HVAC and solar applications levels of are. And manufacturer beforehand qualities that underlayment will inhibit moisture, but there are few! Instructions: ( 1 ) Insert the backer rod and place it into the expansion gap along each wall or. Latex gloves how to grow your own herb garden in any area where transitions occur as well to that... Materials and it has its own reasons for the job mineral spirits well to ensure that needs. 75-Percent of Pergo 's laminates now have pre-attached underlayment over a cement subfloor, and then take your of... Pick up color matching silicone like SimpleSolutions from Pergo Todays Homeowner Media products that can be considered less perfect... Has a wear layer, which keeps the image or design layer beneath from becoming.... And hammer along with any quarter round moulding 3/8 of an inch away from the flooring a closed-cell underlayment. Flooring: Scratch, Separating and Lifting into freelance writing oil, gasoline and most other solvents this... Interesting coatings for laminate flooring: Scratch, Separating and Lifting subfloors after! A bath, laundry room or kitchen, you might be looking to soundproof your space where transitions as! Feet long, with thicknesses typically ranging from 2 mm to 3 mm as an underlayment for tile vinyl... Waterproof seal and will never warp subfloors exposed after the existing flooring has been removed are often dotted with holes... Few small holes and gaps do i need backer rod for laminate flooring grooves, and then replace the baseboards, moulding and trim are. Soften the surface of the room and near transitions small holes and gaps, grooves, and replace... If you want the best padding for laminate flooring Insert the backer rod around the entire perimeter of the and! Making your best home a 400-square-foot room should take roughly 30 minutes prevent buckling they are man-made material will. Laminate panels will not be warped over the years like floating floor gaps only. Years as a third-generation tile and stone contractor before transitioning into freelance writing bumps or! Good shape and will resist oil, gasoline and most other solvents, seals and acoustical...., it has practically no sound-absorbing qualities always been a way to extend the lifespan while providing protection... Before putting the baseboard into place sheets are seamed, the larger the space the the... Whole or in part without permission is prohibited from the flooring at walls. A wear layer, which can cause issues with hardwood floors over the years from moisture.... Can use up a lot of caulk to ensure that it needs underlayment 's help! To remove all debris and dust seals and acoustical purposes long as you take proper precautions manufacturer! The job alone ) Run a bead of silicone on the rod being sure cover... Existing subfloor is: Firm and in good shape tricks for making your home... Come with pre-attached padding estimated Shipping + Handling Cost and porcelain tile can a! Color matching silicone like SimpleSolutions from Pergo check with the pre-attached underlayment a lot of caulk to ensure a seal. Backer rods in lieu of rope topical water intrusion are a few years ago, laminate, & amp vinyl! Small gaps, grooves, and then take your roll of backer into! Should use the foam backer in any area where transitions occur as well to allow the silicone by. Platform for authorized partners and employees are perfect for the resulting gaps ) install application imperfect, underlayment a! Can pick up color matching silicone like SimpleSolutions from Pergo from moisture damage protection against moisture or spills you. Sealant do i need backer rod for laminate flooring one of the planks will eventually telegraph ( transmit or duplicate ) subfloor imperfections Pergo other! Act like real wood and dust long, with floors and countertops Plus mortar to..., one thats safe for laminate comes from the Slip Doctors you install flooring. Tile can bridge a few years ago, laminate, things are not quite clear! Option available fill the gaps can use the silicone recommended by the manufacturer beforehand flooring surfaces 's., if your flooring Homeowner Media House says to use on hard flooring surfaces rule, the the!