Do You Need Underlay For Vinyl Plank Flooring On Concrete

So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor.

Do you need underlay for vinyl plank flooring on concrete.

This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. While underlayment for vinyl planks may be used under hardwood and laminate the reverse is not true. First it will give you some added cushion to help make the floor softer to walk on. However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl.

An underlayment is basically a layer made from foam rubber or sponge which is placed beneath a flooring. Vinyl plank flooring with a robust backing has some insulation value but not much so if you want the cold concrete to feel comfortable you may have to install a thermal underlayment or even build a raised plywood subfloor. One thing is certain with underlayment and vinyl plank flooring though and that s the fact that when it s recommended it must be thin and it must be dense. It has to be level and even though vinyl is waterproof a floating floor always benefits from a moisture barrier.

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. For the case of concrete floors an underlay is necessary for your sub floor. The underlay adds an extra cushion on your floor and makes it softer and increase the floors insulating capability thus keeps it warm even during winter. You also do not need an underlayment if your vinyl plank flooring has underlayment installed however you may need a vapor barrier.

Underlayment isn t a necessity but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product. Second you may want an extra vapor barrier above the subfloor to reduce any risk of moisture. Vinyl plank is a floating floor which means you don t ever actually attach it to the underlay. You leave enough of a gap around the edge that it can expand contract flex whatever but that it s hidden by baseboard.

Vinyl planks require hard thin underlay because the product itself is softer. If you are installing your vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor you may want to use an underlayment for three reasons. At least a few layers sometimes four are needed to install the floors. The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean.

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. You just lay it over top. This is where underlayment can do the trick. The hardest part about it floating is to keep it square as you work.