I'm helping a mate lay a laminate floor this weekend and would value any advice.  It's one of those from B&Q that comes in strips which lock together.  I'm pretty handy with most DIY jobs but neither one of us has done this type of job before.

Two rooms have been knocked-through into one and the new single room is about 6.5m x 3m so I assume a "floating" floor is OK?

One end of the room has a chipboard floor (which I have just laid so it is pretty flat) and the other end has old-fashioned floorboards.  Where the two meet we have managed to get the floors level to within 1mm or so.

We're going to be using a plastic membrane over the wooden floors and this is smooth one side with small round compressable "domes" at 30mm spacings the other.  I would have chosen foam or felt underlay but my mate has got this stuff cheap through his job so wants to use it.

Would it be best to use it smooth side down or smooth side up??

Will using this plastic membrane cause any problems ? (I think it may make the room noisy).

Any guidance/tips re the actual laying of the floor??

Any help most appreciated :0)

George.

Thanks for the quick reply.  In answer to your questions:

When you say "do not be tempted to skimp on the expansion gap" I assume you mean we must leave at least the recommended gap rather than something less?

I am not familiar with "undercutting the architraves" and do not know what a "beat finish" is - please explain.

All existing skirting was removed as all the walls have been replastered/skimmed.  We are intending to fit all new skirting (stuck to the walls) and this will be done after the floor is layed.  The plan is that, for most of the floor edge, beading will not be necessary.

Any further advice much appreciated :0)

George.

Is this plastic membrane specifically made to go under laminate?

If not do not use it but get the proper foam underlay designed for the job. Skimping on something like this will just cause you trouble in the future, when fixing the problem will be a massive pain.

Thanks for all the advice chaps - very helpful.  Looks like I'm going to have an interesting weekend on my knees.

I've also read the previous thread on skirting which was very helpful.  Hopefully I'll soon be able to add "scribing" to my list of skills !!

George.