Why Underlayment Matters
When you choose vinyl plank flooring, you’re opting for durability, aesthetics, and easy maintenance. However, one crucial element often gets overlooked to ensure the longevity and performance of your vinyl floors: the underlayment. This layer can drastically impact the comfort, noise levels, and moisture protection in your home or office space. You do not want it squeaking, right?
The underlayment acts as a foundation that supports and enhances the functionality of your flooring. Without it, you might face issues like increased noise, uncomfortable walking surfaces, or even long-term damage from moisture. Lion’s Pride Flooring has put together this guide, to help you understand the importance of Vinyl Floor underlayment and hopefully, help you make informed decisions for your next flooring project. Ok, let’s get star
What is Vinyl Plank Underlayment?
Before we go over the reasons why you need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring, let’s go over what underlayment is. So this is a layer of material placed between the subfloor (the structural floor beneath the finished flooring) and your vinyl plank flooring.
It serves several important functions and can make the difference between a good and a great flooring installation. Think of underlayment as the hidden support system that improves the quality of your flooring experience.
Underlayment is particularly important for vinyl plank flooring, which, while durable, benefits from extra support for moisture control, sound reduction, warmth, and evenness.
Purpose of Vinyl Flooring Underlayment
The primary purposes of underlayment in vinyl plank flooring installations include:
- Moisture Control: Protecting your floor from moisture that can seep through the subfloor, which is especially important for concrete subfloors.
- Sound Deadening: Reducing the noise of footsteps, dropped items, or furniture being moved, thus creating a quieter home or workspace.
- Added Warmth: Providing a layer of insulation, making your floors feel warmer underfoot, which is particularly beneficial in colder climates.
- Minimizing Deflection: Ensuring the flooring remains even, preventing sagging or bending when weight is applied.
These benefits make underlayment an essential component of your vinyl plank flooring system, improving both its comfort and longevity.
Types of Vinyl Flooring Underlayment Materials
Such as there are different types of flooring options, there are different underlayment materials for vinyl plank flooring, each offering distinct advantages:
- Foam: Foam underlayment is cost-effective and offers basic cushioning and insulation. It’s commonly used with vinyl flooring.
- Cork: This eco-friendly material is known for its superior sound absorption and insulation properties, though it doesn’t offer moisture protection.
- Felt: Felt underlayment is thicker and provides better sound control and insulation, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas.
- Rubber: Known for its durability, rubber underlayment is effective at absorbing sound and offering moisture protection.
- Plywood: Plywood provides a level surface but does not offer insulation or soundproofing. It is mainly used as a base layer on uneven subfloors.
Choosing the right material depends on your specific needs, including the type of subfloor, whether you need moisture protection, and how much sound insulation you require.
Do You Need Underlayment for Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Before installing vinyl floors in your Milwaukee home, it’s important to determine whether you need underlayment. Some vinyl plank floors come with a built-in pad or underlayment, but others require an additional layer for optimal performance.
Key factors to consider include:
- Does your vinyl plank flooring have a built-in pad?: If your flooring comes with an attached pad, you may not need additional underlayment. However, in some cases, you might still benefit from added moisture protection or soundproofing. We are more than happy to help you with this, contact us for your consultation.
- Manufacturer’s Instructions: Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding underlayment. Many manufacturers recommend or require specific types of underlayment for enhanced sound insulation or moisture protection.
Consequences of Skipping Underlayment
Skipping underlayment in your vinyl plank flooring installation can lead to several issues that might impact the quality and longevity of your floor. Here’s what can happen:
- Increased Noise: Without underlayment, the sound of footsteps, dropped items, and moving furniture can echo, making your space noisier than it needs to be. We see this more often than you think.
- Reduced Comfort: Vinyl planks installed directly on a hard subfloor can feel colder and less comfortable underfoot. Underlayment adds a layer of cushioning, improving comfort.
- Moisture Damage: Especially for concrete subfloors, moisture can seep up into the flooring, causing the vinyl to warp or buckle. Proper underlayment with a moisture barrier is essential to prevent this.
The decision to skip underlayment may seem like a way to save money initially, but it could result in costly repairs and replacements down the line.
Types of Subfloors and the Right Vinyl Flooring Underlayment
Concrete Subfloor
Concrete subfloors are common in basements, garages, and commercial spaces, but they come with their own challenges, particularly when it comes to moisture.
- Felt Underlayment: For concrete subfloors, felt underlayment is an excellent choice as it provides both insulation and shock absorption. Concrete can feel cold and hard, but felt helps soften and warm the surface.
- Moisture Barrier: Always use a moisture barrier with concrete subfloors. Concrete is porous, and over time, moisture can seep through, damaging your vinyl planks. A moisture-resistant underlayment will prevent this issue.
Plywood Subfloor
Plywood subfloors are often found in homes and commercial buildings. They offer a stable base but may still benefit from additional underlayment.
- Focus on Sound and Comfort: For plywood subfloors, the primary concern is often sound reduction and added comfort. You don’t typically need a moisture barrier unless the space is prone to high humidity.
- Felt or Foam Underlayment: Either felt or foam underlayment can be used to reduce noise and improve the comfort of your vinyl plank flooring.
Existing Flooring
Sometimes, you may be installing vinyl plank flooring over an existing surface, such as tile, hardwood flooring, or vinyl. In this case, choosing the right underlayment is still important.
- Smoothing Imperfections: If the existing floor has imperfections such as cracks or uneven spots, underlayment can help smooth them out.
- Ensure Compatibility: Check that the underlayment you choose is compatible with both the existing floor and your new vinyl planks. It should provide sufficient cushioning without compromising the flooring’s locking system.
Learn more about subfloor services
Insulation
In addition to its other benefits, underlayment also adds a layer of insulation, making your floors feel warmer and more comfortable.
- Improved Warmth: This is particularly important in colder climates or in areas with concrete subfloors, which can be very cold to the touch.
- Energy Efficiency: Insulated floors help retain heat, making your space more energy-efficient and reducing heating costs in the colder months.
Learn more about luxury vinyl plank vs hardwood flooring
Vinyl Flooring Plank Underlayment – Wrap-Up
Choosing the right underlayment for your vinyl plank flooring is an essential step that should never be overlooked. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the durability, comfort, and performance of your flooring. Whether you need sound reduction, moisture protection, or added warmth, the right underlayment can make all the difference in your flooring experience.
By understanding the type of subfloor you have and the specific needs of your space, you can make an informed decision about which underlayment material to use. From concrete to plywood, each subfloor has its unique requirements, and the proper underlayment will address those needs effectively. Additionally, proper installation and attention to detail can extend the life of your flooring and prevent costly issues down the road.
In the end, investing time and thought into the right underlayment will ensure that your vinyl plank flooring not only looks great but also performs at its best for years to come. Be sure to consult with nearby flooring contractors like us or carefully follow manufacturer guidelines to make the best choice for your home or business.
