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Harmonics Laminate Moisture Resistant Flooring

6 years ago

I am purchasing the Harmonics Harbor Scraped Oak Laminate Moisture Resistant Flooring to put throughout the main and upper level of my house. It says is comes with a 2mm underlayment attached, but should an additional underlayment be used to improve water resistance and noise reduction even further?

If so, what is the best and mid-range brand of underlayment best suited for these newer "water resistant" laminates?

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Comments (5)

SJ McCarthy
6 years ago
Sorry but the attached underlayment prevents the use of "extra" or better noise reducing material. In fact, the foam on the bottom will often 'squeak' when paired with another underpad (like the sound of rubbing two balloons together = EXTREMELY annoying).

Water resistance is not improved with underlayment. The part that makes the laminate moisture resistant = the WAX they use on the edges of the planks. That's it. That's all. That means that you have 30 minutes to clean up a spill instead of 15 minutes. That's all the time you get.

To get more water resistance, you need to look at vinyl or Aquaguard laminate. The underlayment does nothing. If you want to prevent water damage from getting to the SUBFLOOR, you need to look at sheet vinyl or tile in the wet/splash areas of the home.
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Sam
Original Author
6 years ago
Hmm its not foam layer underneath, it looks a like a cork material or something synthetic and similar to cork. Not interested in waterproofing entirely, im comfortable with water resistant meaning quick clean-ups are ideal so im not interested in changing to a vinyl or aquaguard. That all being said, whats a good underlayment if we want additional padding? Thanks.
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I'm a licensed contractor/flooring inspector and I've literally installed tens of thousands of sf of the Harmonics with no issues. I educate my clients by telling them how to clean it. No slopping water, no steam mops or spray mops like swiffer sprayers (hardwood has same rules). Site finished solid or engineered will have less issues just because of the finish covering the seams, but after awhile gaps may form so still need to be careful. It's not a tile! The old Pergo and Wilsonart was installed with a glue that sealed seams. You can buy a sealer if your wanting to slop water on it. Even if the glued had a bare spot in the seams it would still swell. A light vinegar/water solution will disinfect it but you need a light damp mop rinse so it won't etch the finish. Wilsonart also had a denser core material so even when they went click it had less water issues. Spot cleaners from Bona or Bruce are available. I'd put the Harmonics up against any laminate flooring, they all have HDF cores these days. And the 12mm stuff isin't any better. And as Montel said Harmonics is made by Quickstep, a top shelf manufacturer plus it has the best locking mechanism (UNICLIC) patented by it's parent corp UNILIN. No ones ever made a better locking mechanism, even 5G's are not as good IMO. Pergo has gone downhill. With the added bonus of the attached cushion the Harmnonics is a great deal. Right now Costco's running a $10 off a box. Can't beat that. Check the NALFA for certified manufacturers as all laminate is not created equal. NALFA http://nalfa.com/find-a-product/nalfa-certified-products/
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SJ McCarthy
6 years ago
A photo of the underlayment would be a appreciated. If it is cork, then go with cork. If it is synthetic material then there is NOTHING ELSE you can add. I'm serious. Nothing.

The reason why you cannot add to it is the FLEXIBILITY underneath is TOO MUCH for the floor's locking system to handle. It bounces too much. The edges will become too stressed and eventually snap.

Isn't that fun? You pay all that money for an attached underlayment only to find out you can't use anything else. Sigh. If possible, I always recommend purchasing laminate WITHOUT underlayment so that you can add a high-end underlayment like 6mm cork or Quietwalk. Yes these two types of underlayment are more than $0.80 per square foot, but they are some of the best on the market.

Good luck. Please READ the installation instructions. If underlayment is NOT MENTIONED then you are NOT allowed to use it. Today's installation instructions will include what is ALLOWED thereby making anything EXCLUDED to be disallowed.

Go ahead and read the installation instructions. You will find everything you need to know in that single document.
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Sam
Original Author
6 years ago
Ah, got it; I was mistaken it isn't cork its synthetic, so it looks like it is what it is. We are planning to hire contractors to install so I'll be sure they are tracking on that. Appreciate the insight!
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Ricardo
6 years ago
Hello Sam,

I couldn't figure out how to directly message you. I wanted to ask if you installed the Harmonics laminate flooring? Did you purchase it from Costco? Did you have any issues with install and did you use it in any bathrooms and how is the moisture resistance?
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