Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Vapor Barrier on Engineered Product ?

Guys,

I really need some advice from someone that has experience with engineered harwood installation.

Here is the set up. Concrete slab house with radiant heat flooring (copper water pipes just below concrete slab). I've check for moisture and there are no problems with moisture. I'm planning on using an Bruce brand, engineered locking floor.

Here is the specific issue that I'm faced with:

I have looked up every resource that Bruce has available. They recommend two products and do not go any further than to make a recommendation to use one or the other.

Here are the two recommendations

1) Standard 2-in-1. This is just visqueen. I could get this stuff much cheaper just buying 6 mil visqueen from HD.

or

2) Quiet Comfort 2-in-1. THis is a poly foam pad with a layer of the same visqueen on top.

There is a substantial cost difference between the two. The comfort one is $42 per 100 sq ft. I've got just over 1800 sq ft to do. If I were to go with the standard I would just buy heavy mill plastic and use it. The overall cost on the project will about $120. With the Quiet comfort I'm looking at $750 not including waste.

Any experienced guys out there have a suggestion on whether the Quiet Comfort is worth the money?

Thanks

Tom

My personal opinion is, no, it isn't. It's possible you've got a little bogus info regarding the two you're looking at. There are two things required under the flooring, pad and a moisture or vapor barrier. They come either individually or as a 2 in 1 combo. If the material says, "2 in 1", it means the vapor barrier is attached to the pad and nothing additional is needed. The likely difference between the two you're looking at is the pad being used. There are several versions on the market all laying claim to some sort of superiority. The only real purpose of the pad is to muffle sound. When walking on the floor, any place the flooring spans a low spot in the sub floor will slap when the two surfaces collide from foot traffic. The pad just deadens the sound so you don't hear the obvious floating floor noise. You really don't want a padded floating floor. It is tough on the joints if they flex too much and the floor feels strange if it's supposed to be a wood surface but feels like carpet. Consequently, I always advise the least expensive version. It all does the job, so why spend the extra on something you don't need?

just don't void your warranty by not installing up to manufacturer's spec's. i get the impression you're considering only laying vapor barrier. because you're not nailing or gluing your floor down, you need the pad.

and just to clarify: don't think that by using either the 2-in-1, or a separate pad in conjunction with separate vapor barrier, that your floor will feel like it's been laid over carpet pad and will feel spongy - it won't. the underlayment foam is VERY thin and just deadens sound & fill in tiny gaps, like Smokey said: "The only real purpose of the pad is to muffle sound. When walking on the floor, any place the flooring spans a low spot in the sub floor will slap when the two surfaces collide from foot traffic. The pad just deadens the sound so you don't hear the obvious floating floor noise." your floor will still feel hard & firm.

Actually your floor will live a very long time, not using a cushion. You will however HATE the noise when walked on.