if is a concrete slab floor and it has linoleum on it then clean the lino let it dry and use that as your water barrier/underlayment. if it a raised foundation then use wonderboard!
You should not buff a laminate floor.
You shouldn't use any wet products on laminate floors.
Bring new life and energy into your home just by changing your flooring. Look down and take a moment to evaluate the condition and look of your floors. Your floor is the foundation for all of the other decorative elements in your home and if your floors are not in good shape, nothing in your home will look its best. Laminate flooring is a very popular choice for homeowners who want the look of hardwood or ceramic flooring without having to spend a lot of money. People also prefer laminate because it does not take them as much effort to maintain the floors relative to some other choices. However, possibly the biggest advantage most people experience with laminate floors is that they are easy to install. Manufacturers use an interlocking system for laminate floors, and that means that the floor tiles or planks attach to one another. In contrast, you attach ceramic tiles and many hardwoods to a subfloor. Laminate uses a tongue and groove system to make it simpler to install. Homeowners can install their new laminate flooring over almost any type of floor that they may currently have in their homes. The only requirement is that they use an underlayment. Underlayment is a soft material that you lay down underneath the laminate planks or tiles. In addition to moisture control, the purpose of the underlayment is to provide a cushion between the laminate flooring and what lies beneath it. Underlayment is also useful for controlling sound. Since the floor is essentially floating, there is a chance that walking on it will produce a hollow sound. Using underlayment solves that problem. Before you can install any laminate flooring in your home, you must let it acclimate for 48 hours in the same room where you will install the flooring. Be sure to remove any plastic wrap from around the flooring so that the air can reach the planks. Try to purchase an additional 10% more flooring than you expect to use for your flooring, to account for measurement or cutting errors. Work at your own pace and soon you will enhance the look and feel of your home.
It is not necessarily better or worse. It is easier for the "do-it-yourselfer" because it is already attached but it limits your choice as to which type of underlayment (foam) you can use. Most pre-attached underlayments are middle grade quality and don't offer the superior sound absorption characteristics of top grade underlayment. = =
Yes. You should use a good quality underlay with it though to reduce the noise of the laminate knocking on the tiles.
beige
No
no, never. Steam cleaners and steam mops leave to much water on a laminate floor.
I would think the heating grid would have to be under the sub floor. It is was in direct contact with the laminate, even with the foam insulator, the floor moves just a little bit and over time could wear through the heating element.
The floors themselves install in a very similar fashion. If you want a floor with a lot of shine, you will want to go with hardwood. If cost is an issue, laminate.
It is NOT recommended to use a steam cleaner on laminate flooring. Water and laminate do not mix, neither does water and hardwood. Ask these steam cleaning manufacturers if they will replace your floors when they get damaged!AnswerNEVER! AnswerNo!!!! Please don't do this. You will ruin your floor. Answerno, never. Steam cleaners and steam mops leave to much water on a laminate floor. I did, just once, and the floor now crackles all over whenever you step on it.It is best to consult the manufacturer of your floor, but I would be hesitant to try it. It is usually not recommended to use water to clean laminate flooring.