Hi Guys,

A customer wants a 5/16" Mannington laminate installed. I need to bring the height up to about 7/8" total. I was wondering if I can use 1/2" cork panels instead of the typical 3 in 1 foam stuff. It's going over concrete. I was planning on laying out some 6 mil plastic, then floating the cork, taping the panels together, then laying the laminate over that. Anyone see a problem with this approach? And could I substitute styrofoam panels instead of cork? Thanks,

Gary C.

I see no problem with the cork idea..... I think that would suit better than the Styrofoam

Thanks Jerry. I got the idea from the sales gal at the distributor. The cork is very expensive, so that's why I asked about styrofoam. But as I recall, styrofoam can make noise when rubbed, so that's not good. Remember way back when Award floating floors first came out. Their underlayment was these blue 1/8" thick styrofoam like panels one had to tape together. That's why I thought the cork would work. What kinda tape do you think would work best for cork? Packing tape? or ?

If moisture is not a concern , Duct tape should hold fine ..

I guess either the clear tape or duct tape would work for that.

Any tape will do to hold the cork panels together, gravity will do the rest.
Styrofoam? No way, the floor would make a horrible noise every time you walk across it. Maybe a bit at the entry, to alert you to late arrivals from the bar at night.