Duralay Timbermate XL, foil which way up?

[Muj]

Hi guys,

I have had my bottom floor in my house laminated recently With Quickstep Laminate. I had ordered the Duralay Timbermate XL underlay which my laminate fitter has put down over concrete floor.

After the job was complete I realised the underlay was put down foil side up, from my understanding and that of Duralay the foil side should be facing down to act as a vapour barrier.

I’ve asked my fitter and he’s said he has done 100’s of these - foil side up - and has never had a problem and is happy to write me a guarantee.

my question is, the foil side being up will that cause a problem?

Should I ask him to pull my laminate back up and put the laminate down correctly?
I’ve not yet paid him hence why I’m asking.

thank you everyone

 

[ETAF]

foil side down, thats how the roll , unrolls and the overlap fits, I would have thought harder to put down with the foil side up.
Anyway thats how I have done a 3 floors on concrete/screed (but only a DIYer, so not pro)

Should I ask him to pull my laminate back up and put the laminate down correctly?

We used a recommended waterproofing sealing agent on the joints by the company that supplied the laminate. So if we had to take up would be a major job I suspect.

 

[Muj]

My laminate didn’t require waterproofing joints as it’s a waterproof laminate by Quickstep.

my fear is when they’re lifted back up they’re going to more than likely going to get damaged :/

 

[ETAF]

yep, i have quickstep in our kitchen, Quickstep hydrokit
was this also Quickstep underlay , i think we had the "gold" 3 levels of underlay , and it may have had "this side UP" on
https://www.quick-step.co.uk/en-gb/... underlay with the,be laying your vinyl floor.

with my son-in-laws industrial laminate - it had a silver side , and again it rolled off

I suspect it may get damaged

Did you watch him lay, as you would not be able to roll the roll along the floor, you would have to drag it off the top of the roll arkward

 

[Muj]

I didn’t watch him lay as I left them to it, my house is a renovation property and absolutely freezing. I watched them start off and left them to it so not to get in their way.

i suspect the apprentice laid the underlay but I’m confused why the main guy didn’t tell him to put it right

so in short, lifting the laminate back up will cost more money due damage to laminate ?

 

[dazlight]

It’s foil side down. If your concrete is dry and has a Dpm under the concrete then I don’t think you will have a problem. If not get them to uplift it and turn the the underlay over. It’s easy to unclick and relay.

 

[Muj]

Update:

so I got in contact with interfloor who make the Duralay Timbermate Excel and they have advised me it can be laid both foil side up or down either way the vapour barrier will work.

apparently it’s an even split between people laying it foil side up or down.

weird that, considering it says ‘this side down’ on the foil side lol

If the manufacturer says it’s fine I guess it is - not sure how I feel about that but happy to accept it lol

 

[dazlight]

Was going to post that it says that after looking at it today. Surprised they have said that though.

 

[Muj]

Was going to post that it says that after looking at it today. Surprised they have said that though.

Hi Daz,

I’m surprised too :/

did you read it elsewhere ? If so where please?

 

[dazlight]

No mate I didn’t read it but I’ve been laying that underlay for years always silver down as it says that way on it.

 

[Muj]

That’s my exact same quarrel. Number one I’m not sure why the fitter laid it foil side up and number 2 why the manufacturer is saying either way is fine?

When it blatantly states ‘this side down’

 

[Muj]

I asked interfloor to provide a further explanation, and this is what they said:


Good Morning Muj,


I have been passed your query to try and help you out. The underlay is preferably fitted with the foil side down as this puts the damp proof membrane directly on the sub floor. However as long as the edges are joined with some form of water proof tape the protection for the important part, ie the wood floor is conferred which ever way the underlay is laid. Our reps attended a carpet fitting course and the master fitter confirmed on the day that whilst it is preferable foil side down it will still protect the most exposed and high risk area which is the wood floor.


I hope this answers your query but should you need anything else please let us know.

 

[crazydaze]

I asked interfloor to provide a further explanation, and this is what they said:


Good Morning Muj,


I have been passed your query to try and help you out. The underlay is preferably fitted with the foil side down as this puts the damp proof membrane directly on the sub floor. However as long as the edges are joined with some form of water proof tape the protection for the important part, ie the wood floor is conferred which ever way the underlay is laid. Our reps attended a carpet fitting course and the master fitter confirmed on the day that whilst it is preferable foil side down it will still protect the most exposed and high risk area which is the wood floor.


I hope this answers your query but should you need anything else please let us know.

I'm sure either way would protect the flooring, but I've always through foil side down is preferable as it eliminates the possibility of any sound if there is any movement between the board and the foil surface.

 

[Lee Baxter]

We are having this laid now with new flooring and the instructions and the underlay itself both state foil side up

 

[Muj]

They must have changed it, as my underlay said ‘fit this side down’ on the foil side.

the manager did get in touch and said it will be absolutely fine with the foil side up