Do You Need Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring On Concrete

Concrete subfloor isn t usually warm and can make your feet nice and cold.

Do you need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring on concrete. You just lay it over top. Underlayment can also ensure you re not driven mad as the dog s nails clack along the floor with every step. The hardest part about it floating is to keep it square as you work. 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.

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. Second you may want an extra vapor barrier above the subfloor to reduce any risk of moisture. However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. Does vinyl plank flooring need underlayment.

The thermal properties are all considered by the material the underlayment is made up of. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. Foam underlayment has r value of 0 2 0 35. 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.

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. 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. You leave enough of a gap around the edge that it can expand contract flex whatever but that it s hidden by baseboard. Thermal properties of underlayment can help keep your floor warm.

If you are installing your vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor you may want to use an underlayment for three reasons. So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. Underlayment isn t a necessity but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product. This is where underlayment can do the trick.

Since vinyl planks are generally thinner than a laminate the underlayment is also thinner. If the concrete is uneven you will have to level it out. First it will give you some added cushion to help make the floor softer to walk on. The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean.

In almost every case yes depending upon the type of subfloor that you have.