underlay for laminate

[rania]

have carpets in bedrooms,can the underlay under the carpets be reused if we lay laminate instaed?

 

[maryfairy]

Is it a foam or palstic underlay under the carpet? in good condition?

 

[onq]

Is this a house or an apartment over another apartment?

 

[rania]

its foam,good condition,laid about 4 years ago.house,upstairs bedrooms,so would want some sound insulation.

 

[onq]

its foam,good condition,laid about 4 years ago.house,upstairs bedrooms,so would want some sound insulation.

I suppose the question has to be asked of the carpet layer if you're using one - and I recommend one if you're talking about a significant floor area.
Many suppliers will give you a discount or do a deal or may offer a fitting service for free.

"Proper" sound insulation requires a special absorbent layer under the carpet and/or re-laying the floorboards on a resilient rubber strip on top of the joists and/or suspending sound absorbing material between the joists.

Its a specialist job and all the work to the floors can have an adverse effect on the ceiling finishes below - so deep pile carpets and a non-compressible [foam] underlay may be your best bet.

ONQ

 

[maryfairy]

if your only putting down laminate this can go staright onto foam underlay, as laminate dont need joists etc undrneathe. i would suggest getting a builders film which you can get in any DIY store usuallu bout 40e a roll, this stop moisture from the flooe eating the foam,the foam underlay is bout 19.95 per roll. if your buying the laminate from a diy store most places throw in the underlay for free.

good luck!