Do I Need Moisture Barrier over Terrazzo (Eng. Wood Flooring)
runninginplace
13 years ago
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uniquewoodfloors
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Eng. Wood floor Installers, Need advice uneven floor
Comments (5)Is that $400 on your contract? If so, how exactly is it worded? Minimal floor prep... Or does it say float low areas, or something to that effect???? He has certainly under bid the floor prep, in order to get you to sign a lower cost proposal/contract!!! You signed a contract to complete the job to manufacturer requirements. I would hold him to the original quote. I don't know the laws in your state about contracts, but here if they sign it and your contracted and they back out, you can get it done by another contractor, and have them pay the difference, in cost, if higher then the original contract. This is the EXACT reason I do not put a firm number on floor prep. Even if you can see the substrate, it is very hard to estimate the amount of "mud" or the man hours it is going to take to get it done right. Putting a number on it and underbidding, causes corners to be cut in the most important part of the installation. Over bidding it, makes your client think your ripping them off. That's why I do all floor prep at, Time & Materials. Since I can't see the project myself, I can't tell if it needs a full self leveler(which is rare) or just to grind the highs & fill the lows. In the wood/concrete junction picture, I could screed that and make it work, given the wood is exactly even with the concrete, as it should be if done right....See MoreMoisture barrier between plywood substrate & laminate floors?
Comments (1)What does the installation information that should have come with your flooring say? What does the manufacturer say? As some instructions vary by manufacturer, always assume the manufacturer's guidelines are the ones to follow....See MoreMoisture barrier for laminate floor
Comments (3)It all depends on the moisture content down there. An easy check is to take a square of plastic wrap....Saran Wrap will work.....about a foot square. Duct tape it completely around the edges and leave it for 1-2 days. See if there is any moisture or "dew" formed inside it. If so, you might be able to use a roll on rubber-type membrane to protect the laminate. If you see LOTS of moisture, there might be hydrostatic pressure under the slab. If that's the case, you have bigger issues and laminate may not be the way to go......See MoreEngineered floor Underlayment R value & moisture barrier
Comments (8)I'm not fond of 3-in-1 products. They are often expensive and rarely offer the best of both worlds. Vapour barriers are stupid-cheap. The building industry standard is 6mil polyethylene sheeting that is properly overlapped (8 inch overlap) and then the seam (the overlap) is then taped using moisture resistant tape (aka "Red Duct Tape"). The poly sheeting = $0.06/sf. The tape is another $0.06. An industry standard vapour barrier can be laid for $0.12/sf. Then you throw down 6mm (1/4") cork underlayment on top of the vapour barrier (no tape, no glue...it just sits there) for $0.70/sf. Excellent. You have just created an excellent thermal barrier + vapour barrier for less than $1/sf! Now you float your engineered hardwood floor over top and you are done. The other "systems" will cost you MORE money (Dricore isn't dry; it still needs the vapour barrier as already described above....but it does have the same R-value as the 6mm cork underlay) and take more time to install. And it will do exactly the same thing as the 6mm cork + poly sheeting. Installers love this system as it is cheap, easy, fast and effective. If you live in a SUPER cold place (like Northern Canada, Norway, N. Sweden, Finland, Russia or Alaska) you can always use 12mm cork underlay (1/2") and have SERIOUS R-value added for about $1.50/sf. Vapour barrier is the same as the 6mm cork. Have fun....See Moremegs2
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