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We are planning on installing laminate. We would like to install over top of the lino but there's a 1/4 inch difference between the kitchen and the living room flooring.

I was wondering if using 1/4 inch cork such as this product to equalize the floor heights and then laying a foam underlay overtop of everything would be a good option?

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There is no way I would use a cork underlayment to make the floors equal. Cork has too many expanding properties. I don't even think you could get the cork to "sit" under a thin laminate. Also cork will feel softer than most other forms of underlayment. To the point where your floors will feel different.

I would use plywood or what is under higher floor (probably plywood).

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  • It is plywood under the lino. That's what I was thinking too...that the cork might depress after being used for a while. It's not a super thin laminate. 10mm
    – Saint
    Oct 15, 2014 at 22:27
  • Worse is if the cork get a little wet/humid it will expand.
    – DMoore
    Oct 15, 2014 at 23:14
  • Thanks! I'm glad I asked. We'll go ahead with the plywood.
    – Saint
    Oct 16, 2014 at 0:30
  • I'm not disagreeing with your answer (lord knows putting a floor on top of what is basically a giant sponge sounds like a bad idea) but in the link provided in the question it does specifically say its made to go under laminate flooring. I guess if your floor gets wet enough to soak down into the cork the laminate would be ruined anyway...?
    – user23534
    Oct 17, 2014 at 2:27
  • @paperstreet - I would not have an issue putting the cork down everywhere on a floor that could never have water issues (not a basement). The problem isn't the cork, it is that the cork is different than the plywood. But as you mention it is a sponge and there are some quality underlayments that are durable, soft, and handle water better than cork.
    – DMoore
    Oct 17, 2014 at 21:21

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