Ask Bob & Betsy Series

Dear Ariana, You’re right. There’s no such thing as waterproof laminate flooring. But that does not mean that laminate cannot be installed in rooms where there is some water. The biggest concern with bathrooms is both water and humidity, which can cause buckling or bubbling. For those reasons, we would only recommend installing in a half-bath or powder room that …

Dear Jess, That is a really excellent question! As covered in a previous blog post, “Installing Underlayment With Laminate Flooring on Stairs,” you know that underlayment is a crucial part of laminate flooring installations, but when it comes to your staircase, you can leave your underlayment behind. However, COREtec brand vinyl flooring that comes with attached cork underlayment, the installation is …

Dear Ron, That is a great question! We often don’t think about how temperature affects our flooring, but it can lead to major issues. Humidity and drastic changes in any wood-based flooring, such as laminate or engineered hardwood, can leave you with gaps and/or buckling planks. For a cabin that is not temperature regulated, we would recommend a vinyl plank floor. …

Dear Pam, When it comes to high gloss, piano finish floors, there will always be some maintenance. Although beautiful, the glossy finish can leave you seeing footprints and dust easily. Here are some tips to consider when choosing a high gloss, piano finish floor. Choose Light and Grain Patterns A white high gloss floor will show less dust than a red or black floor …

Dear John, Great question! Your underlayment sits between the laminate flooring planks and your subfloor. The type you choose has a big impact on the comfort and life of your flooring, so it is important that you make the right choice for your needs. What To Keep In Mind Underlayment provides three core layers of protection, which is important for …

Dear Jon, When it comes to underlayment options, you have a lot to choose from. It’s understandable that things get a little bit overwhelming trying to sort through it all. You want to make the right purchase decision, but where do you start? I’ll help. Does Your Laminate Flooring Have Underlayment Attached Already? The first thing you need to look …

Dear Samantha, This is an important consideration to make. The flooring you put in your bedroom will have a major impact on the look, feel, and comfort level of the space. Although carpet is often seen in master bedrooms, it is not always the best type of flooring for the space. Here are the top 4 reasons to add laminate …

Dear Stephanie, To know how thick laminate flooring with underlayment is for your home, you need to first decide what type of underlayment you need to buy. Underlayment comes in various sizes and thickness levels. You will determine the level you need based on what type of subfloor you have, what type of vapor barrier you need, and how much …

Dear Brianne, One of the top considerations homeowners make when choosing their next type of flooring is the cost. In addition to the cost of materials, you must judge how much it will cost to have a professional come in and install the flooring for you. That is, unless you want to install the flooring yourself. To save money, many …

Dear Holly, Laminate with attached padding (underlayment) can be confusing to many DIY installers. You read articles touting the importance of using underlayment for moisture control, noise reduction, and overall support. It’s natural to wonder what you should do to maximize your floors longevity when the underlayment comes pre-attached. Extra Padding Poses a Risk Most underlayment provides extra padding on …