Snap together laminate flooring can be installed over almost any surface.
Snap together laminate flooring is one of the easiest types of flooring material you can work with. It is also one of the most versatile in that it can be installed over virtually any other surface as long as it is structurally sound and relatively flat. As a result, underlayment isn't really important so long as the support is there to protect the floor over the years.
Laminate
Laminate is unique in that it is one of the only flooring materials that can be installed in so many unique variations. Tile, for example, always has to have a cementitious underlayment underneath it, and most carpets need some form of padding installed beneath them. Snap together floors are installed in a floating format, which means they can go on top of any type of subfloor or setting as long as it is flat. A level surface is not necessarily important.
Replacing Old Segments
Although snap together floors can go over a multitude of different surfaces, any damaged portions must be removed and replaced or patched in before the snap together floor can be installed. Any voids will lead to the laminate sinking into those depressions under foot traffic. Worn out or water damaged areas need to be repaired so that everything is solid and workable as a subfloor layer for the laminate.
Underlayments
If you are doing a remodel project and there are already underlayments in place from preexisting installations you need to check the underlayment itself. As long as it is structurally sound, it can be used as a base layer for the laminate floor. The underlayment needs to be nailed or screwed down according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and there should be no residual material left on it from the previous installation.
Moisture Barrier
When you are running snap together floors over concrete underlayments such as those that are used in ceramic tile and natural stone installations, you will need to protect the floor against the moisture inherent in concrete products. A moisture barrier needs to be put down before the floor, either a layer of sheet plastic or felt paper, to keep the moisture that evaporates from concrete from damaging the laminate.
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