ᐅ Install vinyl HDF boards as a floating floor?

Hi,

we are currently looking at flooring options while our shell construction is progressing daily. After much consideration, we are focusing on vinyl HDF boards with cork underlay for impact sound insulation, for example the Parador Basic series at around 30 €/m2 (30 €/m2). We plan to install it as a floating floor ourselves, with the total cost including everything not to exceed 40 €/m2 (40 €/m2). The flooring is intended for the bedrooms, children’s rooms, home office, and a hobby room in the basement.

Does anyone have experience with installing this type of flooring as a floating floor? What can you say about this brand Parador? Are there good alternatives, and does the screed need to be prepared beforehand?

Thanks

Hello,

We installed vinyl flooring from vinylan with the same structure throughout the entire house as a floating floor, except in the bathrooms. We did not pre-treat the screed, only cleaned off the construction dust.

We have actually been living in the house for just 2 months, so we don’t have much experience yet. We like the floor and it is low maintenance. Due to the color choice, you don’t see every crumb (because of the children).

Ok, do you have underfloor heating? Or have you already noticed a difference in heating compared to, for example, tile coverings?

Yes, underfloor heating.

The vinyl flooring is not excessively warm but comfortable to walk on without socks, and the room temperature is pleasant as well. Tiles become warmer when we increase the underfloor heating in the bathroom.

When the vinyl gets too warm, it feels like a sauna, which happened briefly in January when the heating was not yet properly adjusted.

One more question about the flooring: Does it still require additional impact sound insulation (Parador Basic 30)? It actually has built-in insulation, but a store employee and a consultant from an online retailer made me uncertain. The first said that additional impact sound insulation is absolutely necessary, the second recommended it, and Parador says it’s generally not required, but it’s possible to add.

Does anyone have experience or reliable recommendations? Is the floor noisy without extra impact sound insulation?

The cork layer of the vinyl acts as your impact sound insulation. You only need a thin underlay beneath the vinyl. We also have the Parador and are satisfied with it.