Why Do Vinyl Floor Not Require Underlayment

Plywood underlayment is a thin plywood material that is most commonly used under resilient flooring materials such as vinyl and linoleum sheets and tiles.

Why do vinyl floor not require underlayment.

Underlayment goes on top of the structural support of your floor and under your actual flooring. To break it down here are the main reasons you need. Why do you need to worry about moisture for your flooring. If you are installing laminate flooring with pre attached underlayment on a wood subfloor you do not need any additional underlayment.

Unlike laminate flooring most vinyl floors are designed to lay directly on top of the subfloor. The attached underlayment will allow your flooring to float just as standard underlayment would. Some products have it built into the product itself so it s not necessary to lay it separately. Vinyl flooring is so thin that any imperfections underneath it like bumps grooves or cracks will show right through.

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. It can also be used under hardwood laminate and carpet but this is much less common these days because subflooring is typically smooth enough for these materials many of which are installed with a different type of underlayment or pad. Do i really need it. If you don t add underlayment to your pergo floors you ll violate the floor s warranty.

Why people use underlayment people turn to underlayment for comfort underfoot sound reduction and moisture barriers. When installing vinyl plank flooring over existing floor materials underlayment may not be required but it can help with cushioning and sound reduction. Be sure to prepare your subfloor before installation to assure a seamless and smooth surface. Tip felt underlayment can be as much as twice as expensive as foam underlayment but it provides better sound absorption.

If your pergo floors do not come with underlayment then it s important that you purchase it and lay it over your subfloor before installing your new pergo floor. The type of vinyl flooring and type of subfloor you have will determine if you are able to use a vinyl flooring underlayment. Laminate flooring is made out of composed resin and fiber board materials with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer. If moisture from your subfloor concrete or wood get to the fiber board material your flooring will absorb the moisture and start to bow or warp.

The easiest way to figure out if you need underlayment for your new vinyl plank flooring is to look at your current floor. A luxury vinyl tile lvt underlayment is a specially formulated underlayment for installing underneath luxury tiles.