Should I put foam under vinyl flooring?

Installing a perfect vinyl floor goes beyond just placing the vinyl planks on your subfloor. A key part of the preparation process involves selecting the correct underlayment. So, what exactly should be placed under vinyl flooring?

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This detailed guide will cover the essential aspects of selecting and installing the best underlayment for your vinyl plank flooring.

Understanding Underlayment for Luxury Vinyl Flooring

To start, let's define what underlayment is. Essentially, underlayment refers to a layer of material positioned between your subfloor and your finished flooring. It serves as a vital component of your flooring setup, which consists of joists, subfloor, underlayment, and the top flooring surface.

The main functions of underlayment include controlling moisture, dampening sound, providing warmth, and reducing deflection (the bending or sagging in the floor due to weight). Many modern vinyl flooring options come with an integrated underlayment or pad, which frequently includes a moisture barrier — this is often not the case with cork pads.

If your vinyl flooring does not come with an attached underlayment, it's generally possible to install directly over the subfloor without any additional layer. Nonetheless, to enhance softness, warmth, moisture resistance, and noise absorption, incorporating underlayment is highly beneficial.

Determining the Need for Underlayment

The first step in figuring out what to put under vinyl flooring is determining whether underlayment is necessary at all. Examine the vinyl planks you plan to install. If they come with a pad-attached underlayment, you'll likely not need an additional one, unless advised by the manufacturer's installation guidelines.

That being said, if your vinyl flooring lacks an attached underlayment, adding one is highly advisable. This is particularly important in areas with plywood or concrete subfloors where underlayment can considerably boost comfort, sound insulation, and moisture control.

Options for Underlayment Under Vinyl Floors

Now that we've established the necessity of underlayment, the next question is: what materials can you use under vinyl flooring? The answer rests heavily on your subfloor type and the requirements of your space. Here are some popular underlayment choices:

Foam Underlayment

Foam is an economical underlayment option that provides some cushioning and a bit of insulation. It's best suited for plywood subfloors, but keep in mind it does not serve as a moisture barrier and can hold water, increasing the risk of mold growth and unpleasant smells.

Felt Underlayment

Felt is a favored choice for underlayment as it delivers improved sound control compared to foam. It offers better insulation and can come with an optional vapor barrier, making it ideal for concrete subfloors or roofs.

Cork Underlayment

Cork excels in reducing noise within your home. Its density helps conceal imperfections in the subfloor. However, it does not act as a moisture barrier and can retain moisture, leading to potential mold growth if not installed correctly.

Particle Board Underlayment

Particle board is an affordable way to create a level surface for vinyl flooring. However, it falls short when it comes to moisture resistance and is relatively fragile, thus requiring a solid subfloor beneath it.

Plywood and OSB Underlayment

Plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) provide a flat base for luxury vinyl planks and tiles (LVP and LVT), though they do lack warmth and cushioning. OSB tends to be more durable than plywood, making it a solid choice for wood subfloors.

Benefits of Underlayment for Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Using an underlayment for your vinyl plank flooring comes with various benefits, including:

Sound Reduction

Underlayment can drastically decrease noise from footsteps, moving furniture, and dropped items, contributing to a quieter living environment. This is particularly important in multi-story buildings.

Moisture Protection

Underlayment functions as a moisture barrier, shielding your vinyl flooring from potential water damage. This is essential in high-moisture areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms, especially over concrete subfloors.

Enhanced Comfort

Underlayment adds an extra layer of cushioning, making your vinyl floors more comfortable to walk on. This can be particularly advantageous in homes with children or elderly family members.

Thermal Insulation

Underlayment helps maintain warmth in your floors, especially during the colder months, which is invaluable if you're laying vinyl over a chilly concrete subfloor.

Installing Underlayment

Before embarking on the installation of vinyl plank flooring, consider the underlayment. The installation of underlayment is quite straightforward. Begin by ensuring that your subfloor is clean and completely dry. Roll out the underlayment and make sure the seams run perpendicular to the planks' long dimension to prevent voids under the joints.

Ensure that seams of the underlayment maintain a minimum four-inch distance from the joints of the finished flooring product. Follow the flooring manufacturer's installation instructions carefully to avoid damaging your floor or voiding the warranty.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Underlayment for Your Vinyl Flooring

Your choice of underlayment for vinyl plank flooring ultimately relies on your specific needs and the conditions of the installation area. Experts typically suggest using foam or felt underlayment for their sound-dampening, moisture protection, and insulation benefits.

Bear in mind that what you choose to put under your vinyl flooring directly affects its durability, comfort, and overall performance. Making an informed choice about underlayment and ensuring flawless installation will lead to a long-lasting vinyl flooring solution.

If you're ready to transform your home with the perfect vinyl flooring, explore Sponge Vinyl Flooring for the best options and expert installation advice. They are your go-to solution for all flooring needs, from underlayment selection to vinyl plank choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need anything under vinyl flooring?

Underlayment is crucial for controlling moisture, insulating sound, providing warmth, and minimizing floor deflection. Even with attached underlayments in some vinyl flooring, additional layers can enhance these benefits.

Does luxury vinyl plank flooring require underlayment?

Whether underlayment is needed for luxury vinyl flooring can depend on the specific product. If the vinyl flooring already has an integrated underlayment, adding another layer may not be necessary. However, if there’s no built-in underlayment, including one can enhance comfort, sound insulation, and moisture resistance. Always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for optimal results.

What goes between subfloor and vinyl flooring?

Materials that can be used between the subfloor and vinyl flooring include foam, felt, cork, or particle board as underlayment, depending on your needs and subfloor type.

What is the best underlayment for luxury vinyl plank flooring?

The best underlayment varies; foam provides extra cushioning, felt offers sound insulation, and cork effectively reduces noise but lacks moisture protection.

What base does vinyl flooring require?

Vinyl flooring needs a clean, smooth, and dry base, such as a well-prepared subfloor or suitable underlayment, to ensure stability and levelness.

What happens if you don't put underlayment under vinyl plank flooring?

Without underlayment, vinyl plank flooring may lack comfort, soundproofing, and moisture protection, leading to inferior floor performance and potential moisture complications.

Can you put vinyl plank floors directly on subfloor?

You can lay vinyl plank flooring directly on a subfloor as long as it’s smooth and level. However, using underlayment is encouraged for additional benefits.

Is underlayment necessary for vinyl plank flooring?

Installing underlayment is recommended, particularly if the vinyl planks lack an attached pad, to boost comfort and moisture control.

Can you lay vinyl flooring without underlay?

Vinyl flooring can be laid without underlay, particularly if it has an attached pad; however, using an underlay can improve the floor's overall performance.

How do you prepare a floor for luxury vinyl flooring?

To prepare for installing vinyl flooring, ensure that the subfloor is clean, dry, and level. Rectify any gaps or unevenness. While laying out the underlayment, it should be properly aligned to avoid voids under the joints, and ensure the seams align perpendicular to the vinyl planks.

For further insights, don’t hesitate to check out our range of options in Sponge Vinyl Flooring.