Laminate flooring on top of old laminate flooring?

[exp3rt]

Hey folks - this is my first ever forum post!!

We've had laminate flooring for a few years now - its great but we're looking to put in something darker. Would it be possible to simply keep the existing floor > sweep it > put down new underlayer > lay new floor? i.e. Laminates over existing laminates?

Will this pose any problems immediately or in the future? Your advice on this will be sincerely appreciated.

 

[kevchenko]

I would lift old flooring. few reasons why. putting laminate on top could make it very bouncy as you effectively have 2 layers of underlay. cutting of doors as you are raising the height, how will this look against skirting boards? are they high enough to still "look the part"? i would suggest rip up floor use old underlay and save some pennies on buying new underlay!

 

[exp3rt]

The plan was to remove skirting boards and install the floor. Once finished, the skirting boards would be put back - ofcourse sitting approx 15mm higher than before. The door jams would have to cut to accommodate the 2nd laminate layer.

Your point about it all becoming bouncy seems valid - never thought of that. Couldn't I simply lay a PVC sheet or similar instead of underlayer? [as the 1st layer has underlayer anyways].

 

[crazydaze]

Lift the existing floor.

leaving the old floor down is a false economy, you risk damage to the new floor and aesthetically it will not look or feel right.

Uplifting the laminate should be a minimum of work, especially if you are refitting skirtings etc any way, the finish in doorways I would imagine would be poor if leaving the old floor down.

I cannot think of any reasons to leave the old floor down other than saving an hour uplifting the old and taking it to the tip? - NOT a big enough excuse to not install the new floor properly imo.