Laminate Floor - Is corking expansion strip big enough??

[kpmatthews]

hi, im planning to lay a laminate floor. i have bought floor that is 7mm in height and fibreboard underlay that is 6mm in height, giving me 13mm. most cork strips i've seen are 8mm in height which just about covers the height of the underlay but i fear may not be high enough to do its job with the laminate. is it possible to buy taller cork or is 8mm sufficient?

 

[WoodYouLike]

You better read this Gaps! They are there for a very good reason! before you buy anything

 

[kpmatthews]

hmmmm.... interesting, but makes perfect sense. i've been looking at other opinions and i've just visited your woodyoulike site

i've just read a recommendation to fill the gap about 50%, but i dont see that would serve any purpose. i'm glad i asked here before paying out for some useless cork

thanks, kris

 

[kpmatthews]

one other question, im flooring downstairs and its concrete but its been tiled on top, not sure if its vinyl or actual tiles. it's whatever you get left with after you pull up carpet and underlay. house looks like it was built in the 70's. do i need a waterproof membrane for this?

 

[WoodYouLike]

Are the tiles still firmly stuck to the underfloor? If so, use a combi-underlayment that contains a DPM to prevent any 'sweating' of the tiles reaching the - I can hardly say wood here, can I now? - new floor.
If possible, return the 7mm fibre boards - they are a pain - and use the combi-underlayment instead.