Do You Use Underlay For Vinyl Flooring

Wear layers and topcoats can protect the surface of your floor but underlay adds a layer of protection to the bottom of your boards or tiles.

Do you use underlay for vinyl flooring.

An underlay may be used if you want to increase the height of your floor. While underlayment for vinyl planks may be used under hardwood and laminate the reverse is not true. Laying brand new flooring is among the most satisfying parts of a complete home renovation and the choice of flooring is truly unlimited. Floor underlayment by scott deboer november 1 2019.

If you are looking for additional sound reduction benefits insulating value and built in vapor barrier we recommend the quietwalk luxury vinyl underlayment has it was designed for luxury vinyl plank and tile flooring. Second you may want an extra vapor barrier above the subfloor to reduce any risk of moisture. 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. Since vinyl planks are generally thinner than a laminate the underlayment is also thinner.

There are three primary reasons why vinyl flooring owners should have underlayment installed beneath the surface. Avoid using materials with distinct raised grain patterns which can affect the finish texture of the sheet vinyl. Vinyl floors are designed with a base layer making the addition of underlay pointless. The only time a vinyl floor may need underlay is when the surface beneath is uneven or has issues with damp.

First it will give you some added cushion to help make the floor softer to walk on. 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. To allow for a smoother exterior along the finish floor to provide added stability and protection and to enhance the acoustic capabilities of the floor. With certain types of flooring the underlayment can be just as important as the floor itself.

A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. Plywood used as underlayment for sheet vinyl flooring should also have a sanded smooth surface on the topside. This baselayer makes the vinyl flooring incredibly durable and comfortable to walk on. Your vinyl floor must have a thickness of 4mm or more in such cases.

But it is strongly recommended that you refer to your manufacturer s instructions before doing so. 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. Using an underlay where it is not required can nullify your floor warranty. Vinyl planks require hard thin underlay because the product itself is softer.

Get in touch with experts at lifestyle flooring for more guidance regarding the use of underlay for vinyl flooring. Quietwalk luxury vinyl underlayment view product where to buy category. We use a stiff bristle hand brush to get debris out from under the drywall.