Can I Use Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring

The higher the number the better the sound proofing is.

Can i use underlayment for vinyl plank flooring.

Find for use with vinyl plank flooring underlayment at lowe s today. Most vinyl underlayments are 1mm to 1 5mm thick. Installing click lock vinyl plank flooring is very similar to laminate flooring. Underlayment isn t a necessity but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product.

When installing vinyl plank flooring over existing floor materials underlayment may not be required but it can help with cushioning and sound reduction. It provides nice cushioning and has sound. The thinner construction of this type of vinyl plank should be taken into account if you are planning to add a foam underlayment. 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.

Why people use underlayment people turn to underlayment for comfort underfoot sound reduction and moisture barriers. The definition of delta iic rating performance gain in sound reduction between two sound test. The underlayment may affect the locking mechanism so ideally click lock vinyl plank flooring should be installed directly onto the. What about concrete should you use a special underlayment for laying vinyl on concrete.

The easiest way to figure out if you need underlayment for your new vinyl plank flooring is to look at your current floor. Vinyl plank flooring is a floating floor so it is important to have underlayment across the entire surface of your flooring. 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. This is often used with high end vinyl flooring that has an underlayment pre attached to each plank.

A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. If too much cushion is beneath the vinyl planks the locking system and joint integrity will be compromised. 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.

We recommend using a vapor barrier on a cement subfloor to prevent moisture from seeping up and sitting beneath your flooring. 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. If you are a condo or multi family sound ratings do matter.