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Is fan-fold insulation an acceptable underlayment for hardwood? It is being used as a leveler from one floor level to another.

Mazura
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Diane Byers
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2 Answers2

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-Is fan fold insulation an acceptable underlayment for hardwood?

  • As a complete underlayment for snap-lock flooring, yes but I'd be more comfortable using rolls similar to what the manufacturers specify.

  • Hardwood flooring installed traditionally with nails is to be installed directly on the subfloor. (Rosin paper is optional)

-But it is being used as a leveler from one floor level to another.

  • Then no, don't count on foam to make a good shim. Use appropriately thick plywood to shim any low areas. If 1/8" sheets would be to thick, use a planer to bevel the offending area of the floor, bringing it down to an acceptable fudge (the foam is for fudging any discrepancies; not a blatant mismatch of floor levels).
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Mazura
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Yes. I'm sitting on a foam hardwood sandwich now. The hardwood should float on the foam. And beware of dual vapor barriers: your foam is impermeable and should probably be your only vapor barrier.

Bryce
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