Do You Use Underlay For Vinyl Flooring

Avoid using materials with distinct raised grain patterns which can affect the finish texture of the sheet vinyl.

Do you use underlay for vinyl flooring. 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. Floor underlayment by scott deboer november 1 2019. Your vinyl floor must have a thickness of 4mm or more in such cases. Vinyl planks require hard thin underlay because the product itself is softer.

While vinyl flooring is known for its resiliency it would be a major mistake to overlook the underlayment. 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.

Vinyl floors are designed with a base layer making the addition of underlay pointless. Laying brand new flooring is among the most satisfying parts of a complete home renovation and the choice of flooring is truly unlimited. There are three primary reasons why vinyl flooring owners should have underlayment installed beneath the surface. 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.

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. Since vinyl planks are generally thinner than a laminate the underlayment is also thinner. If you are installing your vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor you may want to use an underlayment for three reasons. Plywood used as underlayment for sheet vinyl flooring should also have a sanded smooth surface on the topside.

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. A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. Using an underlay where it is not required can nullify your floor warranty.

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. With certain types of flooring the underlayment can be just as important as the floor itself. 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.

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. 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. An underlay may be used if you want to increase the height of your floor.