Best Underlayment Vinyl Plank Flooring
Best Underlayment Vinyl Plank Flooring – If you’re new to the world of flooring, you may not even have a clue what subfloor is. Someone probably told you you needed it and you went looking for it only to end up totally confused.
We’ll be answering all of your questions today, including when/if you need an underlay, which types are best for your specific floor, and how much it will cost.
Best Underlayment Vinyl Plank Flooring
The subfloor is the layer between the subfloor and the new floor. Yes, it really is that simple. The substrate is usually made of rubber, cork, rubber cork, felt or foam.
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Unless your floor has an attached underlay, you’ll probably need a separate underlay. The underlay 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 underlayment.
Underlay isn’t just something we tell you to throw under the carpet or laminate. It has several purposes:
The sub-floor acts as a protective barrier between the floor and the sub-floor. Floating floors are particularly prone to expansion and contraction as the temperature changes. The underlay provides a barrier against the friction of movement, keeping the floor fully together during movement.
The subfloor is often the layer under the floor and can be installed anywhere in the home. Unless your floor comes with an attached underlay, assume you’re going to need one.
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In addition to an underlayment, you’ll often install a vapor barrier in basements, kitchens and bathrooms. These help protect your new floor from moisture. Wherever you’re installing flooring, expect to need an underlayment or barrier.
Substrate thickness seems to be the question most customers struggle with. This is because with sub-floor thickness is not the most important consideration. Other factors such as type, sound classification, and density matter as much, if not more, than thickness.
That said, most subfloors are 2-3mm thick, but sometimes they’re thicker for carpeting or to smooth out an uneven subfloor.
It is often advertised that 6mm underlayment offers twice the sound absorption as 3mm underlayment. I’ll skip the science and let you know that’s not true. Also, sound absorption is affected by other factors, such as material and density, and not just thickness.
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Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to check with the manufacturer to see what they recommend. Some thinner products benefit from a thinner underlay such as felt.
Foam is known as the most basic variety of substrate. Though priced so low, the foam underlayment still offers plenty of sound reduction. You will also find that you have many options with foam underlay, 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 flooring types including laminate, vinyl and wood. If you’re buying carpet, a foam “carpet pad” works best for rolls of carpet.
The foam underlay is super easy to install – in fact, some options even come with an adhesive strip, making it as easy as sticking on a post-it note!
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Rubber is one of the best choices for underlayment because it’s super versatile. Protects your floor from mold and mildew and protects your ears from hollow sounding floors. In fact, it is one of the most sound absorbing and insulating underlays out there.
Rubber underlay is most commonly 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 super easy to install under virtually any floor. Since it’s often made from recycled rubber products, it’s eco-friendly too!
Cork underlayment tends to be a favorite with apartment and condo owners. There’s a reason for that! Cork absorbs sound better than most subfloors. It’s also great for adding insulation to your home.
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Cork is also an eco-friendly choice in subflooring. Additionally, 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 word of warning about cork: While you can install it under virtually any flooring, it’s not the best choice for all environments. Water can damage cork floors, so for basements, bathrooms, and other flood-prone areas, you might prefer rubber or a cork with a vapor barrier.
The best of both worlds! In a shocking turn of events, rubber cork underlay is a underlay made of both rubber and cork. I know I know. Try to contain your surprise.
Rubber cork underlayment is an expert at preventing cracks in tiles from home settling and natural movement over time. You can think of this underlay as an invisible bodyguard that keeps your floor looking good even if it’s not visible.
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Rubber cork can stain vinyl, but it’s great under other hardwood and tile floors. Like cork it is resistant to mold and mildew but we recommend installing a vapor barrier with the underlayment.
The felt underlay is usually made from recycled fibers and is often denser than foam. Density is what makes felt a great sound absorber. Not only is it great at absorbing sound, but it’s also great at insulating your home and cushioning your step. Some say underlayments better than others!
Because the felt fibers are made from recycled materials, it’s also an environmentally friendly choice of underlay. Some felt underlays have 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 that is asked about backgrounding. We’ll make it easy with a handy chart. However, if you want to know more, read on. Below we will look at each floor sub-floor in detail.
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Foam is a favorite for laminate flooring and is what we would recommend the most. You are lucky! Foam has the most options when it comes to underlayment and offers plenty of sound reduction.
If you are installing laminate flooring in any areas prone to moisture such as basements, bathrooms or kitchens, it is recommended that you purchase a foam underlayment with a vapor barrier included.
On the other hand, if your primary concern is sound transmission (for example between apartments or condos), another great recommendation would be cork underlayment, 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 with the use of certain underlays.
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If you are able to purchase an underlay, we recommend cork. With cork, you don’t have to worry about staining or damaging the vinyl. If the underlay isn’t recommended, you’ll probably need an underlying vapor barrier anyway.
The good news is that a lot of vinyl flooring comes with a cork underlay attached, so this may not even be a problem for you! Waterproof vinyl floors like TritonCORE offer an attached underlay, so you’ll save time and money.
Is Underlayment Safe for Vinyl? The rubber and rubber cork underlayment is not safe for vinyl due to the possibility of rubber stains. Cork, foam, and felt are generally safe for vinyl unless the manufacturer says otherwise.
For carpeting, you’ll almost always use a foam or rubber mat. These pads are available in many different thickness options that vary in properties and prices. Thicker
pads will (usually) make the floor softer and more comfortable to walk on. We recommend using a foam mat for broadloom carpeting and rubber for carpet tiles.
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Make sure you pay attention to the properties of the mat you are looking at, not just the price and thickness. While you can find some thicker options at lower price points, 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 those specs! The Carpet Cushion Council (yes, that’s a thing) recommends a minimum of ¼” padding under residential carpet, although most people purchase a ½” underlay.
For tile floors where a thinset is used, a rubber cork underlay is your best bet. You can also install ceramic tile directly onto plywood or a concrete board. The rubber cork underlay is designed for crack suppression.
However, foam has more give than cork, so while it’s the most popular option, we recommend cork. Cork has less give, making it less likely to flex under boards. There are some extra dense foam grades that may work under hardwood floors, but they usually aren’t as durable as cork.
Do You Need Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Installing underlayments is much easier than most people think. In fact, I can outline the process in a few simple steps:
That’s all! With just a few tools and a little manpower, your underlay is ready to go. Of course, it’s always good to check with the manufacturer to see if your product has more specific claims.
The average price per material, from cheapest to most expensive, generally ranges from foam, then rubber, then cork. However, there may be some fluctuations depending on the characteristics of the substrate (e.g. a built-in moisture barrier), thickness and the way it is constructed
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