Installing laminate flooring over carpet is not recommended in most installation situations. Since carpet is usually plush and soft, your laminate flooring would not have the support it needs to keep the locking system sturdy. If there is too much give to the floor underneath, the locking system would be strained, causing the floor to buckle and possibly damaging the floor.
Unfortunately, there can be a high cost in removing carpet, so some homeowners prefer to install over their existing floor. Here’s the one exception to the rule.
What about short or low pile carpet?
If you are working with sturdy low pile carpeting, you can install laminate on top of it. Short or low pile carpet is what you would see in most hotel rooms, bus and airplane aisle ways, and other commercial spaces. As long as it is flat and in good condition, your laminate will install well on top. No underlayment is needed in this type of installation.
How to decide if you have the right carpet for laminate installation?
Be sure that the carpeting is less than ¼ inch high. If a carpet pile is too high, there may not be enough stability to float your floors. Think of the plush carpet found in most residential homes in bedrooms and living rooms. These carpets should never have laminate flooring installed on top of them.
Problems with Laminate Flooring over Carpet
There are a few concerns we need to address before you go ahead and install over carpeting. The first concern is the possibility for trapping allergens, as dust and mites live in carpeting. Next, your carpet may be uneven where there was high traffic, causing the subfloor to have low spots. This can cause the laminate to float improperly, leaving areas that flex. Lastly, there is a possibility that the flooring can harbor mold and mildew beneath the carpet.
Removing Carpet for Laminate Flooring Installation
If you decide to remove your carpeting prior to installation, as it is recommended in most cases, be sure to also remove the carpet underlayment as well. You cannot install laminate flooring on top of this type of underlayment, as it’s too soft.
Remember that the subfloor underneath the carpet and carpet underlayment should be smooth and free of debris. Remove any potential obstacles, so your laminate flooring will have a seamless surface. You will need laminate flooring underlayment for your project – here is a guide to select the right underlayment.
If you are looking for something different from what is mentioned above, you can visit our underlayment section on Bestlaminate. We have a wide selection of underlayment to fit your needs!
If you are unsure about what underlayment is best for your project or have unique circumstances, do not hesitate to contact a Bestlaminate flooring specialist at 1-800-520-0961.
Learn More:
- Can I Put Laminate Flooring on Stairs?
- Why do I need underlayment for laminate flooring installation?
- Can I install laminate flooring underlayment over carpet underlayment?
37 comments
I’m installing laminate over a kitchen floor with vinyl flooring extending to living room that was carpeted. So the kitchen is a little higher than the living room…but I want the floor to be level straight across. Can I add extra underlayment in the living room or do I need to put down a thin layer of plywood subfloor to level it out? What is best method?
Hi Clint, thanks for the question. It is very important to have a level subfloor before starting. The most sturdy idea would be to add plywood. This, of course, depends on how much of a height difference there is. Another option would be to use a transition molding between the kitchen and living room. I would recommend a level subfloor over underlayment.
oh fantastic.. will do that so. Thanks so much for your help!
Hi,
I’m so glad I found your site! I need to install roll laminate over commercial low pile carpet which is over concrete. How could I secure this I am not able to modify anything since this is temporary space at work The space is 27′ x 22′.
Any help you can offer is much appreciated thanks for your time!
Cheers,
diesel
Hi Diesel, thanks for your question. If you are installing a laminate, there is no securing necessary! It will simply float as one piece. Keep in mind, there will need to be a small gap on the edges that is usually covered with a molding. The moldings would be the only change needed that are secured to the wall.
Hello – I’ve bought a home which has low-pile (but not flat, as in indoor-outdoor) carpet, with attached foam underlay that is glued to the OSB subfloor. Rather than try to pull up this carpet, I was wondering if it’s possible to add a layer of 1/4 inch plywood, screw this through the carpet to the OSB, and then put down laminate.
Would this work? Is 1/4 inch ply rigid enough once it’s thoroughly screwed down to keep the laminate from buckling or shifting? Thanks.
Hi Jane, thanks for the question. I wouldn’t recommend this for 2 reasons. The first, it will be too much cushion under the plywood to be a properly supported subfloor for the laminate. Second, if any moisture was to get in between the plywood and carpet, you can have an underlying mold issue. It’s in your best interest to uninstall the carpet and underlayment and install your floating floor ontop of the subfloor.
Hello – I know you mentioned underlay will not be needed on top of the Low pile carpet… but should it be used if there is a need for moisture protection? Or would that create too much of a cushion on top of the carpet? Thanks
Hi Damien, thanks for the question! In this case, you could use a vapor barrier. If you already have carpet, it is concerning that you would have a moisture issue. You should make sure there are no moisture issues with the carpet before installing the laminate. You don’t want to find out you have a mold or mildew problem under the floating floor!
hi thanks very much for your reply – so you think install vapor barrier over the carpet? Would the carpet being dry be enough of an indication that there is no moisture issue do you think or should i pull it up slightly to check underneath? Many thanks again
Hi Damien, is the carpet over a concrete subfloor or wood? If it is over a wood subfloor, you should be OK without moisture issues. You could always pull some up to double check. This is a commercial grade, low pile carpet correct?
Thanks again for reply – its a commercial v low pile carpet alright. Its laid on a concrete subfloor. Its a relatively modern building … maybe 1990 or so
No problem! So generally with a concrete subfloor, we always recommend a moisture barrier. I would take a peak under the carpet just to ensure there is no moisture or mold issues.Just to be safe, I would lay the vapor barrier film over the carpet in case anything may happen. Water damage from the subfloor can also affect the walls, which is why we recommend the moisture barrier to help overlap the subfloor and wall.