Do I Need Underlayment For Vinyl Plank
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 i need underlayment for vinyl plank. The only thing that will happen if you decide to purchase it in that case is that the warranty will become null and void with the manufacturer. Second you may want an extra vapor barrier above the subfloor to reduce any risk of moisture. However underlayment can still prove resourceful when used for sound reduction and cushioning. An underlayment will help level out minor imperfections in your wood subfloor as well.
Underlayment isn t a necessity but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product. The only other time that you don t need to purchase an underlayment is when there is already one built in to the vinyl plank flooring. If you want to find out if you need underlayment for your vinyl plank flooring then keep reading. While underlayment for vinyl planks may be used under hardwood and laminate the reverse is not true.
Putting a soft product under vinyl plank will result in an unstable floor that is much more inclined to being damaged and even punctured or torn over time. Vinyl planks require hard thin underlay because the product itself is softer. Underlayment is also instrumental in the acoustic performance of the vinyl floor. For anyone considering a do it yourself approach to laying vinyl flooring this article provides all you need to know about flooring underlayments.
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. If your subfloor is very even and smooth you do not need an underlayment under your vinyl plank on hardwood. The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean.
In general luxury vinyl underlayment for any floor can provide many benefits.