What Sub-Floor material to use for Laminate floor ?

Question

Hello all...I'm about to install Quick Step laminate floor in ourliving-dining-kitchen areas.  The kitchen and dining areas are vinyl,so I'm going to lay the laminate over that, with the Quick StepUnisound pad directly on top of the vinyl.The living area is carpet, so once I pull that up, I'll need to buildthat area up by 1/4" so it's level with the existing vinyl floor, (it'san open concept ranch, so the existing vinyl/carpet interface runs thewidth of the room.)My question is, what material and fastening method is best for thispurpose?  My neighbor works for a flooring contractor, so he can get me1/4" birch ply at cost.  Is it advisable to staple it down, or should Iuse screws? And how frequently, (what pattern), should the fasteners beplaced in.Thanks for any insight offered, my local flooring retailers are allover the map on this, and Quick Step's web site doesn't offer much infoon this topic.

ToolGRL · Accepted Answer

Use 1/4 inch ply wood. whatever you can find and staples work fine.. nospecial pattern. I'd put them all over the place so that the floor doesntpop up or creak in spots.Some plywood has markings on it that tells you where to put nails/staples.every 8 inches I think.

1_Patriotic_Guy · Answer

Definately use screws and ensure the head doesn't stick up above the surface(e.g. countersink or cover with a little floor compound), whatever materialyou go with.  I think backer board is likely the preferred choice for yourapplication.  Of course you know what the different floor heights are.

Beeper · Answer

I was told when laying a subfloor you do not want to screw through and into the joists. I learned this after doing a subfloor in my kitchen. Now when the sun hits it just right you can see the screw marks through the tiles. So try not to hit the joists.

What Sub-Floor material to use for Laminate floor ?

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