Do You Need Underlay For Vinyl Flooring On Concrete

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.

Do you need underlay for vinyl flooring on concrete.

A vinyl floor usually features a base layer which serves the purpose of an underlay thereby removing the need for an additional underlay. The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean. However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. If not you will have to look into purchasing a 6 mil vapor barrier first.

To eliminate this concern you will need a vapor barrier that is placed right above the concrete slab. So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. It may also be a requirement in certain hoa or apartment complexes to have a sound barrier with your flooring.

So the first thing you want to look at does the underlayment have a built in vapor barrier. 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. Actually you may not even need underlayment depending on the product and where you plan to install it. As a result vinyl floors do not wobble or buckle under your feet.

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. A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. If you ve chosen to go the vinyl path you re probably wondering about the best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring. Good to know if you need to cut the door get the approximate layout of the cut and use masking tape on top and bottom of the cut line to reduce splintering as the cut.

Underlayment isn t a necessity but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product. Vinyl flooring by its very design is very stable. If a floor plank and underlayment or adhesive will not fit under the door remove the door and trim it with a circular saw about 1 8 inch above the level of the new flooring. Installing new flooring is a costly enterprise so you want to get it right the first time around.

Keeping your floor warm from cold concrete. Vinyl underlayment is an optional add on to click lock vinyls that are 4mm or thicker.