Today’s post comes from iFLOOR.com’s CEO, Steve. Steve gave a bit of advice from his own experience to a customer who wrote in, and I felt it would be good to advice for anyone in the laminate market to see.
Q: Hi Steve,
We purchased Alloc Original (Japanese Cherry) in 1999 for our master
bedroom. We love the look and ease of care, but do not care for the hollow
ticking sound when our dogs (2 small daschunds) walk across it.
1. Have they improved the underlayer to provide more sound proofing?
We currently have solid wood in our living/dining room and porcelain tile in
most other areas. It is being removed due to a water leak under the
foundation.
We wanted to put this Alloc in the rest of our house. But, because of the
sound problem, we are now considering engineered wood to use in our
living/dining room, family room and kitchen as well as two bedrooms.
2. However, I noticed a new laminate called Balta. Are you familiar with
it?
Also, I notice you seem fond of Wilsonart.
3. What would you recommend? We have a slab foundation, so would need a
floating floor in any case.
Catherine H.
A: Alloc is a nice floor. They have not really improved their underlayment – but 6mm cork underlayment will go along way to reducing that tap tap sound you hear. It won’t eliminate it, but it will reduce it.
Engineered wood can have the same problem if it is floated so I would recommend the cork underlayment in that situation as well.
Balta is not in my top 50 list. It did not do well in testing.
I like Wilsonart in laminate as far as quality – but their warranty practices are worthless. Also Armstrong & Westhollow has some nice thick 12mm options that work well for sound reduction a various price points.
But the Alloc can work too which can save you from the search. Do the right thing with underlayment and you are home free. (don’t forget you will still need a moisture barrier on the slab, then the cork, then the floor.)
Good luck on your project!
ss
