Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - installing a substrate before a laminate

We are wanting to install an Armstrong Snaploc laminate floor over a concrete pad. We were wondering if we could put a plywood subfloor in first (putting a moisture barrier between the concrete and the plywood) to cushion the floor and insulate it a little. Will this work, and how do we keep attach the plywood to the concrete? Thanks!

I believe most laminate systems, including Armstrong, sell a combination foam sheet/vapor barrier which goes underneath their laminate when used over a concrete slab...

Concrete is like a sponge for cold and wet...hopefully your slab has a vapor barrier underneath it...

We've been looking at doing the same project throughout our house using products from Wilsonart and Formica...both of which recommend the foam for concrete installations. Remember, laminate floors float so there are no intrusions into the vapor barrier if it is properly installed.

I would be careful about putting any wood (like plywood) on top of concrete, even with a vapor barrier, unless the wood is naturally decay resistant or pressure treated.

Hopefully one of the flooring experts here can give you the pros and cons of this method and a safe way to proceed...

Good luck with your project!

Pat