Do You Need Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring On Concrete

Underlayment can also ensure you re not driven mad as the dog s nails clack along the floor with every step.

Do you need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring on concrete.

First it will give you some added cushion to help make the floor softer to walk on. If you are installing your vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor you may want to use an underlayment for three reasons. Second you may want an extra vapor barrier above the subfloor to reduce any risk of moisture. Foam underlayment has r value of 0 2 0 35.

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. So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. Vinyl plank is a floating floor which means you don t ever actually attach it to the underlay. If the subfloor is concrete then it is needed to help keep moisture out making it more comfortable to walk on and keeping the room warmer in the winter.

The hardest part about it floating is to keep it square as you work. This is where underlayment can do the trick. However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. You just lay it over top.

Does vinyl plank flooring need underlayment. The thermal properties are all considered by the material the underlayment is made up of. 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. Concrete subfloor isn t usually warm and can make your feet nice and cold.

Underlayment isn t a necessity but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product. A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. In almost every case yes depending upon the type of subfloor that you have.

If the concrete is uneven you will have to level it out. Thermal properties of underlayment can help keep your floor warm. Since vinyl planks are generally thinner than a laminate the underlayment is also thinner. The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean.

If installing over concrete in a basement the vinyl planking is likely to be fine if there s a moisture issue but a moisture barrier will also help control air humidity in the space.