Thinking of adding laminated wood flooring to my wall, hoping it would at least absorb some of the sound from my AV setup.

Question:

1) Any special preparation required for the wall? Since it's an old house that needs repainting, can I save money by not painting the wall beforehand?

2) Will I need to install the plastic mat between the wall & laminated wood?

3) How about skirting?

4) Would vinyl be a better option for walls?

5) Will I be able to hang framed pictures & paintings after installation?