Do I Need Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring On Concrete

Vinyl plank flooring is water resistant and if it has a wpc core it s waterproof so it won t be damaged by the off gassing.

Do i need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring on concrete. Underlayment is a type of material that rests between the subfloor and the flooring material. They mimic hardwood yet offer the ease of maintenance of luxury vinyl. Newly poured concrete off gases water vapor and typically needs from 120 to 150 days to dry out before it s ready to accept flooring according to milliken company. Do i need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring.

The answer depends on what you and your room requires. While underlayment for vinyl planks may be used under hardwood and laminate the reverse is not true. So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. Vinyl planks require hard thin underlay because the product itself is softer.

Vinyl plank flooring is a floating floor so it is important to have underlayment across the entire surface of your flooring. However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. One thing is certain with underlayment and vinyl plank flooring though and that s the fact that when it s recommended it must be thin and it must be dense. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant.

The easiest way to figure out if you need underlayment for your new vinyl plank flooring is to look at your current floor. Vinyl plank is a floating floor which means you don t ever actually attach it to the underlay. One of the most popular products on the market are easy to install click and lock vinyl plank tiles. Vinyl click tile is usually very thin.

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. This is a very common question for homeowners and small businesses when adding new flooring. Since vinyl planks are generally thinner than a laminate the underlayment is also thinner. We recommend using a vapor barrier on a cement subfloor to prevent moisture from seeping up and sitting beneath your flooring.

You leave enough of a gap around the edge that it can expand contract flex whatever but that it s hidden by baseboard. Do you need underlayment for those. A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. 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.