Do You Need Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring On Concrete

A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment.

Do you need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring on concrete.

So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. However you ll want to use one in every other application including covering existing hardwood floors vinyl flooring that isn t cushioned and concrete floors. If you are installing your vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor you may want to use an underlayment for three reasons. The hardest part about it floating is to keep it square as you work.

If the subfloor is concrete then it is needed to help keep moisture out making it more comfortable to walk on and keeping the room warmer in the winter. You just lay it over top. Thermal properties of underlayment can help keep your floor warm. Since vinyl planks are generally thinner than a laminate the underlayment is also thinner.

This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. Vinyl floors that are glue down or loose lay will not need a vinyl underlayment as these floors will be installed directly over the subfloor. Underlayment can also ensure you re not driven mad as the dog s nails clack along the floor with every step. If the concrete is uneven you will have to level it out.

Second you may want an extra vapor barrier above the subfloor to reduce any risk of moisture. The thermal properties are all considered by the material the underlayment is made up of. Does vinyl plank flooring need underlayment. Underlayment isn t a necessity but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product.

First it will give you some added cushion to help make the floor softer to walk on. Concrete subfloor isn t usually warm and can make your feet nice and cold. Vinyl plank is a floating floor which means you don t ever actually attach it to the underlay. However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl.

Do you need an underlayment for vinyl plank flooring on concrete concrete subfloors are a little bit more tricky when it comes to installation since concrete brings on the aspect of moisture a very hard surface and a chilly floor. The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean. If installing over concrete in a basement the vinyl planking is likely to be fine if there s a moisture issue but a moisture barrier will also help control air humidity in the space. 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.

Foam underlayment has r value of 0 2 0 35.