Vinyl Plank Underlayment Over Concrete

The type of underlayment you should use depends on the subfloor and whether it s concrete plywood or an existing flooring material.

Vinyl plank underlayment over concrete.

Since vinyl planks are generally thinner than a laminate the underlayment is also thinner. 10 reasons vinyl flooring is the best for concrete slab basements you ve decided to give your basement a makeover and you need to find a cheap and waterproof alternative to your boring cold concrete floor. A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant.

Zach snyder january 28 2019 at 3 28 pm. You just lay it over top. So technically if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. You also do not need an underlayment if your vinyl plank flooring has underlayment installed however you may need a vapor barrier.

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. However some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. Just ensure any underlayment you add is thin so it doesn t impact the locking process of the vinyl planks. Vinyl plank is a floating floor which means you don t ever actually attach it to the underlay.

Vinyl plank flooring with a robust backing has some insulation value but not much so if you want the cold concrete to feel comfortable you may have to install a thermal underlayment or even build a raised plywood subfloor. Hi zach this vinyl should be fine to install directly over the concrete but if you want additional cushion you can add a 1mm or less lvt specific underlayment beneath the planks. What kind of underlayment do i need. You leave enough of a gap around the edge that it can expand contract flex whatever but that it s hidden by baseboard.

Underlayment can also ensure you re not driven mad as the dog s nails clack along the floor with every step. If installing over concrete in a basement the vinyl planking is likely to be fine if there s a moisture issue but a moisture barrier will also help control air humidity in the space.