Can you install hardwood flooring over laminate flooring?
Matthew Shields
Updated on April 05, 2026
Can you install hardwood flooring over laminate flooring?
As a general rule, provided the laminate flooring is clean, dry and structural sound you can install hardwood over laminate flooring. The main issue with hardwood floors is keeping moisture from getting underneath it, so it’s best to put down an underlayment on top of the laminate flooring.
What can you put on top of laminate flooring?
A common question that gets asked on home forums and by private retail is can I lay vinyl over laminate flooring. Vinyl plank flooring is flexible in nature and it is recommended that vinyl flooring should only go over a solid, well-adhered substrate that is smooth.
Can you put laminate flooring over hardwood flooring?
Once laminate flooring is installed, if the flooring underneath is moving too much, the joints of your laminate could dislodge, and it will not last long. Solid hardwood floors are normally nailed down and fixed to the subfloor but if what you have are engineered hardwood floors, check how it was installed.
Can a wood floor be installed over a vinyl floor?
For nail-down applications, flooring can be installed over existing sheet vinyl or vinyl tile if fastener penetration is not significantly diminished and the subfloor meets minimum requirements. Fasteners must penetrate a proper subfloor by at least 5/8”. If installing wood flooring over an existing wood floor, there are some extra precautions.
Can a new floor be installed over an existing floor?
Some will say the flooring can be installed over existing flooring, while others will have more detailed specifications. They will know their flooring best, so be sure to follow what the manufacturer says. If the flooring you purchase can be installed over existing flooring, you will still need to consider some other things.
Can you put Cork flooring over laminate flooring?
Drains of any kind, French or otherwise, are clear indicators that this concrete floor is not acceptable for laminate installation. Cork: Yes. But just because it’s a cork floor doesn’t mean you can skip the underlayment. You’ll still need that before installing your laminate floor. Dirt: No. Engineered wood: Not recommended under floating floors.
How do you install a laminate wood floor?
How to Install Laminate Wood Flooring in Your Home 1. Prepare the Floor 2. Prepare the Door Frames 3. Install the First Piece 4. Assemble the Pieces Together 5. Install Additional Rows 6. Lay the Final Row 7. Reinstall the Trim
Should you choose laminate or hardwood?
If your budget is a large factor in deciding which flooring to go with, you should choose laminate. Laminate flooring is much cheaper than hardwood. Usually, hardwood flooring is twice as expensive as laminate flooring.
Can you install laminate flooring over glued down carpet?
ANSWER: You CAN install laminate flooring over carpet, though generally not recommended. More Info: Most installers and builders recommend NOT installing laminate flooring over carpet, as there are too many variables that can create a mess.
Is laminate flooring the same as wood flooring?
Some people assume engineered and laminate floors are the same thing, but they are not. Laminate floors are made of plastic layers glued together while engineered hardwood floors are made of a solid wood top layer glued to an hdf or multi ply wood substrate.