Can I Use Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring

What about concrete should you use a special underlayment for laying vinyl on concrete.

Can i use underlayment for vinyl plank flooring.

When installing vinyl plank flooring over existing floor materials underlayment may not be required but it can help with cushioning and sound reduction. The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean. The underlayment may affect the locking mechanism so ideally click lock vinyl plank flooring should be installed directly onto the. Cork underlayments are hypoallergenic and it protects against moisture as well as mold and mildew.

If you re laying the lvp over an existing cushion backed vinyl floor or a below grade tile floor then you won t need to use an underlayment. We recommend using a vapor barrier on a cement subfloor to prevent moisture from seeping up and sitting beneath your flooring. Find for use with vinyl plank flooring underlayment at lowe s today. If too much cushion is beneath the vinyl planks the locking system and joint integrity will be compromised.

Installing click lock vinyl plank flooring is very similar to laminate flooring. It provides nice cushioning and has sound. The higher the number the better the sound proofing is. Indentions can be an issue as well which is why most luxury vinyl tile and luxury vinyl planks are sold with a backing layer already in place.

With our quietwalk luxury vinyl underlayment designed for luxury vinyl plank achieving delta iic rating of 28 was achieved. This is often used with high end vinyl flooring that has an underlayment pre attached to each plank. The thinner construction of this type of vinyl plank should be taken into account if you are planning to add a foam underlayment. The definition of delta iic rating performance gain in sound reduction between two sound test.

If you are a condo or multi family sound ratings do matter. Since vinyl planks are generally thinner than a laminate the underlayment is also thinner. Vapor block film isn t so much an underlayment as it is a barrier against vapors and moisture. A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment.

There a few companies and product lines that are exceptions but there is a strong chance that you could void your warranty if you attempt to install foam or cork beneath lvp with pre attached underlayment. Underlayment isn t a necessity but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product. Vinyl plank flooring is a floating floor so it is important to have underlayment across the entire surface of your flooring.