Laying laminate?

[Keitai]

Do I need to lay underlay or anything underneath the laminate flooring? Do they need to be staggered the same on every other one or total randomly so none of its are level with each other? It'll be my first attempt . Is it easy?

 

[chris1982]

It needs underlay, and rows need to be staggered, random or not, such that there is at least 30 or better 40cm overlap between the boards. And you need to leave expansion gaps on all edges, including cutouts around pipes, so best to undercut architraves.

 

[foxhole]

Stagger is random or regular depending on personal choice though random is cheaper as there is less waste .Currently doing 70sq m for a friend and trying to keep some kind of pattern but due to layout not always possible .Underlay is needed either foam ( ok for ground floor ) or fibre board , best for bedrooms etc as reduces noise a little better than thin foam .
You can get circular colour matched covers to hide cuts around pipes and colour match floor sealant to hide your mistakes .

 

[big-all]

as an aside
if this is a rental or a flat often laminate is not allowed due to the noise transmitted

 

[Keitai]

as an aside
if this is a rental or a flat often laminate is not allowed due to the noise transmitted

Yeah neighbours below do complain about noise from my flat. I guess replacing carpet in lounge with laminate would make it noisier

 

[Keitai]

as an aside
if this is a rental or a flat often laminate is not allowed due to the noise transmitted

It's a top floor flat. And yes they do complain downstairs about noise. I was going to change the carpet in my lounge to laminate with rugs but worry about this

 

[conny]

I'd stick with carpet and maybe fit another layer of underlay. Laminate will make any movement/banging seem even louder than a threadbare carpet. Also much easier to lay than laminate and warmer under foot.