Do You Need Underlay For Sheet Vinyl Flooring

It may also be a requirement in certain hoa or apartment complexes to have a sound barrier with your flooring.

Do you need underlay for sheet vinyl flooring. You can measure the entire floor area. In most cases 4 by 8 foot sheets of particle board or plywood must be installed in preparation for the vinyl floor install. Because you can install sheet vinyl over existing vinyl it offers the option of changing design without breaking the bank. 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.

Cut the vinyl 3 inches wider than the floor area on all sides and then trim the excess after laying it in place. For vinyl flooring installations over wood subfloors you will not need to worry about a moisture barrier but you may want an underlayment for added cushion or sound reduction. Vinyl underlayment is an optional add on to click lock vinyls that are 4mm or thicker. There are two ways to measure and fit vinyl.

It is designed to create a smooth durable surface which is why it is so important for vinyl flooring. Doing this will give you a nice smooth flat surface to lay the sheet vinyl over. If your subfloor had dips or damage it could show through the vinyl over time. Sheet vinyl flooring provides a durable surface for high traffic areas in your home.

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. Dry fit your vinyl and trim to size leaving an extra 1 for fudge factor. A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. That doesn t mean you don t need underlayment for sheet vinyl however.

Luan as underlayment luan is 1 4 inch thick and it comes in 4 by 8 sheets. Vinyl flooring is usually not installed directly over the subfloor in residential applications. There are several types of underlayment for this type of flooring and we ve seen brands with a thin layer of foam pre attached as well. Vinyl flooring is so thin that any imperfections underneath it like bumps grooves or cracks will show right through.

Before you install sheet vinyl the subfloor must be in good condition. Underlayment goes on top of the structural support of your floor and under your actual flooring. 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.