Do You Need Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring On Concrete

The thermal properties are all considered by the material the underlayment is made up of.

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 the concrete is uneven you will have to level it out. Underlayment can also ensure you re not driven mad as the dog s nails clack along the floor with every step. In almost every case yes depending upon the type of subfloor that you have.

However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. 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. 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. 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.

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. You leave enough of a gap around the edge that it can expand contract flex whatever but that it s hidden by baseboard. 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. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant.

Concrete subfloor isn t usually warm and can make your feet nice and cold. This is where underlayment can do the trick. You just lay it over top. Underlayment isn t a necessity but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product.

Foam underlayment has r value of 0 2 0 35. The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean. Second you may want an extra vapor barrier above the subfloor to reduce any risk of moisture. The hardest part about it floating is to keep it square as you work.

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. A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. Thermal properties of underlayment can help keep your floor warm. Vinyl plank is a floating floor which means you don t ever actually attach it to the underlay.

So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor.