Installing laminate floor on top of parquet flooring

[Shoganator]

Hi all,

We would like to put laminate flooring down in our place, and found that there is parquet flooring in the main living area only (after lifting the carpets up).

We do love natural wood, but for now just want to cover it up to be consistent with the other rooms (which will have laminate flooring installed) - at a later stage we might revisit and remove the laminate.

For now though what I wanted to get advice on is, what kind of underlay if any we need to use on top of the parquet flooring. I believe we should not be using any damp proof membrane as this would trap vapours or moisture already there and case the parquet flooring to start buckling. Is this correct?

Secondly, if we would like the laminate to not be too hard to walk on (firm) what can we use underneath that would be "breathable"?

This is the laminate that we would like: http://www.wickes.co.uk/enigma-oak-laminate-flooring/invt/215608/

Thanks for any advice!

 

[crazydaze]

I would advise using a fibreboard underlay, it should be 'friendly' to the parquet underneath and 4mm would be fine.

Definately don't use anything with a DPM.

 

[Shoganator]

Thanks crazydaze, I went with the following fibreboard underlay - it has good reviews and bonus was on special today - http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/215589