Best Soundproof Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring – If you’re new to the world of flooring, you may not even have a clue what subsoil is. Someone probably told you that you needed it and you went looking for it only to end up totally confused.
Today we’ll answer all your questions, including when/if you need a base coat, what types are best for your specific floor, and how much it will cost you.
Best Soundproof Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring
The subsoil is the layer between the subsoil and the new ground. Yes, it really is that simple. The underlay is usually made of rubber, cork, rubber cork, felt or foam.
Underlay: The Purpose & Best Types For Each Flooring Material
Unless your floor comes with an attached undercoat, you probably need a separate undercoat. The underlayment adds warmth and softness, and more importantly, increases the longevity of your new floor. Let’s take a moment and talk more about the benefits of undercoating.
Underlayment isn’t just something we tell you to throw under your carpet or laminate. It has several purposes:
The floor covering functions as a protective barrier between the floor and the subsoil. Floating floors are particularly prone to expansion and contraction as the temperature changes. The bottom layer provides a barrier against movement friction, keeping the floor fully bonded during changes.
Underlayment is often the layer below your floor and can be installed anywhere in your home. Unless your floor comes with an attached underlayment, assume you’ll need one.
New* 6mm Acoustic Hybrid Vinyl Flooring Cork Underlay Waterproof Ac5 E0
In addition to an undercoat, you often install a vapor barrier in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. These help protect your new floor from moisture. Wherever you install flooring, expect to need a layer or barrier.
The thickness of the bottom layer seems to be the issue most customers struggle with. This is because with the bottom layer thickness is not the most important consideration. Other factors such as type, sound ratings and density matter as much, if not more, than thickness.
That said, most underlays are 2-3mm thick, but sometimes thicker for carpets or to smooth out an uneven floor.
6mm underlay is often advertised as offering double the sound absorption of 3mm. I’ll skip the science and let you know it’s not true. Also, sound absorption is affected by other factors, such as material and density, and not just thickness.
How To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring
Note that it’s a good idea to check with your manufacturer to see what they recommend. Some thinner products benefit from a thinner bottom layer such as felt.
Foam is known as the most basic variety of underlayment. Even though it’s priced so low, the foam sublayer still offers great sound reduction. You’ll also find that you have plenty of options with foam underlays, from basic foam to 2-in-1 underlays that have a built-in vapor barrier.
It is also one of the most versatile underlays and can be used under a variety of floor types including laminate, some vinyls and wood. If you are buying carpet, a foam “carpet pad” works best for carpet rolls.
The foam underlay is very easy to install; in fact, some options even include an adhesive strip, making it as easy as sticking to a post-it!
Ask The Experts: Vinyl Flooring And What You Need To Know
Rubber is one of the best choices for the bottom layer because it is so versatile. Protect your floor from mold and mildew and protect your ears from hollow-sounding floors. In fact, it’s one of the most absorbent and sound insulating underlayers out there.
Rubber underlay is most often used under wood, tile or carpet, but cannot be used under vinyl due to staining.
Rubber is an excellent choice over wood and concrete sub-floors and is very easy to install under almost any floor. Because it’s often made from recycled rubber products, it’s also eco-friendly!
Cork roofing tends to be a favorite among apartment and condo owners. There’s a reason for that! Cork absorbs sound better than most subcaps. It’s also great for adding insulation to your home.
How To Soundproof A Room
Cork is also an environmentally friendly choice for the bottom layer. In addition, the natural antimicrobial nature of cork also prevents the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. This makes cork a great choice for allergy sufferers.
A caveat about cork: While you can install it under almost any floor, it’s not the best choice for every environment. Water can damage cork flooring, so for basements, bathrooms, and other flood-prone areas, you may want to go with rubber or a vapor barrier cork.
The best of both worlds! In a shocking turn of events, the rubber cork layer is a bottom layer made of both rubber and cork. I know, I know. Try to contain your surprise.
The rubber cork base is an expert at preventing cracks in your tile due to your home’s settlement and natural movement over time. You can think of this undercoat as an invisible bodyguard that makes your floor look good even when it’s out of sight.
Roberts Soundbarricade Sound Control Underlayment 1 1/2 Mm Thick, 36
Rubber cork can stain vinyl, but is great under other wood and tile floors. Like cork, it is resistant to mold and mildew, but we recommend installing a vapor barrier with the undercoat.
The bottom layer of felt is usually made from recycled fibers and is often denser than foam. Density is what makes felt a great sound absorber. Not only does it feel great for absorbing sound, but it’s also great for insulating your home and cushioning your step. Some say better than others subs!
Since the felt fibers are made from recycled materials, it is also an environmentally friendly underlayment option. Some felt layers include a built-in vapor barrier for added durability. The felt underlay can be used under a variety of floors including hardwood, laminate, vinyl and more.
This is the most common question asked about the sublayer. We’ll make it easy with a handy chart. However, if you want to know more, read on. Next, we’ll look at each floor covering in depth.
Foam Back Vs Cork Back Vinyl Flooring: What’s The Difference?
Foam is preferred for laminate flooring and is what we would recommend the most. You are in luck! Foam has the most options when it comes to the bottom layer and offers great sound reduction.
If you are installing laminate flooring in any moisture-prone areas, such as basements, bathrooms, or kitchens, it is recommended that you purchase a layer of foam that has a vapor barrier included.
On the other hand, if your main concern is sound transmission (such as between apartments or condos), another great recommendation would be cork underlay, which can offer a bit more sound absorption.
The answer to this question can be a bit complicated. The first step vinyl buyers should take is to look at the manufacturer’s instructions and warranties. Certain warranties will be voided by the use of certain background layers.
Nbl Resilient Vinyl Floor — Nbl Express
If you can buy a bottom layer, we recommend cork. With cork, you don’t have to worry about staining or damaging the vinyl. If underlayment is not recommended, you will probably still need a vapor barrier underneath.
The good news is that a lot of vinyl flooring comes with an attached layer of cork, so you might not even need to worry! Waterproof vinyl floors like TritonCORE offer a bonded underlayment, so you’ll save time and money.
Is the undercoat safe for vinyl? Rubber and rubber cork coating are not safe for vinyl due to the possibility of the rubber staining. Cork, foam and felt are usually safe for vinyl unless the manufacturer says otherwise.
For carpet, you will almost always use a foam or rubber pad. These pads come in many different thickness options that vary in properties and prices. Thicker pads will (usually) make your floor softer an
d more comfortable to walk on. We recommend using a foam carpet pad for wide area rugs and rubber for carpet tiles.
Do You Need Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Be sure to pay attention to the properties of the rug you’re looking at, not just the price and thickness. While you can find thicker options at lower prices, they don’t do all the things you want them to do (like absorb sound), or at least they may not do them very well.
Be sure to check out these specs! The Carpet Cushion Council (yes, that’s a thing) recommends a minimum of ¼” of padding under residential carpet, although most people buy a ½” underlay.
For tile floors where a thinset is used, a rubber cork base is the best solution. You can also install ceramic tile directly over plywood or cement board. The rubber cork layer is designed for crack suppression.
However, foam has more woman than cork, so although it is the most popular choice, we recommend cork. Cork has less sag, so it’s less likely to flex under tables. There are some extra-dense grades of foam that can work under wood floors, but they’re usually not as durable as cork.
Sound Insulation To Floors That Dampens Noise
Installing the underlayment is much easier than most people think. In fact, I can describe the process in a few simple steps:
This is! With a few tools and a little labor, your undercoat is ready to go. Of course, it’s always good to check with the manufacturer to see if your product has more specific instructions.
The average price by material, from cheapest to most expensive, generally ranges from foam, rubber, and then cork. However, there may be some fluctuations depending on the characteristics of the base layer (for example, a built-in moisture barrier), the thickness and the way it is constructed.
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