When it comes to getting new flooring, one of the biggest concerns homeowners have is how expensive it is to install. The truth is, when you install Floor Roberts Vapor Barrier 3-in-1 Underlayment yourself, you can cut costs by as much as 10%.
3-in-1 underlayment include all of the features you want in underlayment; basic underlayment properties, plus vapor barriers and sound reduction. Roberts Vapor Barrier Underlayment is ideal for any room or space in your home. It is especially perfect for rooms that are prone to moisture, such as the bathroom or kitchen. With this underlayment you don’t have to worry about large amounts of water seeping through your subfloor. With Roberts Vapor Barrier Underlayment, you protect your flooring from moisture damage – such as mold – caused from the subfloor.
In addition, Roberts Vapor Barrier Underlayment is called “silent” because of its sound reducing properties. Rated with an STC rating of 67 and an IIC rating of 68, you get a premium sound-reducing barrier.
Where To Use It?
Roberts is the maker of some of the top rated underlayment products on the market. Whenever you install underlayment, you must put it over a subfloor. Roberts Vapor Barrier Underlayment is suitable for both wood and concrete subfloors offering you more flexibility about where you use it in your home.
Shall We Begin?
At Bestlaminate, we believe installing a floor should be a joy – not a burden. That’s why we’ve put together this detailed illustrated guide to give you an idea of how easy it is for anyone to put down the Roberts underlayment.
Before you get started, it is important to gather all of the materials you’ll need for the project. If you don’t have everything pulled together, you risk delays and difficulty as your project progresses.
Supply List:
- Enough Roberts Underlayment
- Flooring
- Broom or a Shop Vacuum
- Tape
- Utility Knife
Step 1: Clean Your Space
Before you do anything, you need to make sure the installation area is free of debris, dirt or any other foreign objects. You don’t need to do a deep scrub on your subfloor, but you should sweet and clean the floor so that it is clean. If your project is going to succeed, you need to work on a clean surface.
Step 2: Check the Space
Your subfloor must be in excellent condition. Once you’ve removed the dirt and debris, and cleaned the subfloor you’ll have a better viewpoint to determine the condition on your subfloor. Closely inspect the floor for any uneven sections, abnormal lumps and bumps, or cracks and obstacles that could affect the installation. You should also check that it is dry and not at risk of withholding any moisture.
If you notice anything out of the ordinary on your subfloor, you’ll need to fix it before moving forward with your project.
Step 3: You’re Ready to Start!
When your subfloor is ready, it’s time to start the installation. Roll out the Roberts underlayment with the logo side facing down. As you unroll the flooring, the green side should be on top, facing up.
Step 4: Leave An Expansion Gap
Your underlayment will shrink & expand. Leave ¼” gap between the wall and the underlayment as you unroll it. This will give it some breathing room.
Step 5: Cut and Install
Once unrolled, cut your first section of the underlayment to fit the width of the room or space. Then, you’ll be ready to start installing your flooring.
Step 6: Continue Rolling
When ready, roll out the next row of underlayment.
Step 7: Join the Two Pieces Together
To keep the underlayment firmly in place, tape each of the rows together. You might not need to do this but it can sometimes help to keep everything sturdy as you move around.
Step 8: Continue with the Installation
With two rows of underlayment down, it’s time to lay your floors. Install the laminate flooring section by section. Follow the manufacturers instructions to ensure you do everything correctly.
That’s all there is to it! Keep working section-by-section installing underlayment and then more flooring.
Before you know it, you’ll have a newly installed floor in your room. It’s easy, fun, and it saves you money!
How did your projection turn out? Were there any tips you found especially helpful? Let us know in the comments below.
[divider]
More About Underlayment:
- Underlayment 101
- How Much Underlayment Do I Need to Buy?
- Why do I need underlayment for laminate flooring installation?
10 comments
Hi .my parents had a handyman install this underlayment upside down . They put 3/4 subfloor on concrete slab then this underlayment ( upside down) and 3/4 hardwood stapled down.
Do you for see any issues with moisture in the future installed like this?
Pete
Hi there, Pete! Thanks for your question.
The only issue I see here is possible moisture affecting the underlayment itself. This is because the vapor barrier is on the top (closest to flooring), instead of directly on the subfloor. We would recommend that you reach out to the manufacturer of your product to see if they have any recommendations on what to do about this. While this situation isn’t ideal, it is not very likely that this will be detrimental to the durability of your new flooring.
We are installing solid hardwood over an electric radiant heat system that will be over the 45 degree pine subfloor that is over an insulated crawlspace. I would like to find a non-toxic option for our vapor retarder under the radiant heat and over this wood subfloor. Can you use this product in this situation? Can you share any important specifics?
Many thanks
Hi KT, thanks for the question. I believe most of our underlayments can be used with radiant heat on top of the subfloor. Just follow the manufacturer instructions to ensure proper installation and heat specifications.
Can this be used under Berber carpet?
Hi Philip, thanks for the question. I believe this is only good for solid, floating floors. You’ll want to find a carpet specific underlayment as they will be thicker and the proper insulation for carpet.
is this product used under 3/4 hardwood that is nail down install
Hi Ted! Yes, you can use it under engineered hardwood. Let us know if you have any other questions.
Can I simply say what a relief to discovr somebody that genuinely understands what they are talking about on the web.
You certainly know how to ring a problem to light and make itt important.
More and more people must look at this and understand this
side of your story. It’s surprisijng you are not more popular because you
certainly have the gift.
Thank you for reading.