To install a plastic moisture barrier or not... that is the question

[Director]

I am preparing my 65 Overlander for a Pergo (American Cottage style) flooring laminate installation. I have removed the old carpet and discovered an existing original vinyl flooring in place (grungy, but intact). The instuctions from Pergo call for a 6 mil polyethylene film as a vapor barrier prior to installation.
Have any of you out there with experience in this area or have installed similiar flooring recommend or not this barrier. It's really no big deal and would not take that much addtional time, I'm just curious whether any of you have an opinion on the "do's or don'ts" of a vapor barrier in this type of installation in an A/S, or any other trailer for that matter.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Director

[Tim A.]

I suspect your original vinyl flooring is already an adequate vapor barrier. The vapor barrier is to prevent moisture from rising up into the back of the Pergo flooring and the existing vinyl should be able to do that unless it is full of holes.

[markdoane]

Don't use a vapor barrier. You want the subfloor and the Pergo to reach and maintain similar moisture contents so that they expand and contract together.

[jjhypnotist]

Lowes sells a felt style moisture barrier for about 42.00 a roll and it will certainly quiet up the floor after install. Also since it is a floating floor it will float much eaisier as well the pad will help even out any uneven spots on your floor.

Justin

[Director]

Thank you all who replied to my post. After reading them, I have decided not to install the vapor barrier before putting down the Pergo flooring. I think that my old original vinyl should prevent any moisture problem.

Thank you all for your comments.

Director
(David Willard)

[Safari Tim]

I think moisture barriers are intended when putting laminate flooring over a cement subfloor. You don't use it when going over wood like in an Airstream.

Like already mentioned, it needs to breathe.

[EarlRice]

Right, you will be fine without a moisture barrier as they are necessary over concrete. The vinyl will act as a good subfloor as long as it is full adhered to the floor beneath.