Best Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring On Concrete

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.

Best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring on concrete.

It s extremely beautiful flooring that mimics natural hardwood and sometimes even stone. This underlayment for hardwood floors is more tear resistant and durable according to users. 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. Most lvp flooring is water resistant some types are even waterproof and it s also very durable able to resist dents dings scratches and stains.

We recommend using a vapor barrier on a cement subfloor to prevent moisture from seeping up and sitting beneath your flooring. Since vinyl planks are generally thinner than a laminate the underlayment is also thinner. When installing hardwood choose a floor underlayment that provides a smooth surface over the subfloor. While rosin and tar paper are common options aquabar b underlayment from fortifiber is a top option.

Vinyl plank is a floating floor which means you don t ever actually attach it to the underlay. When choosing underlayment you should have felt confused seeing hundreds of choices. If too much cushion is beneath the vinyl planks the locking system and joint integrity will be compromised. Most vinyl underlayments are 1mm to 1 5mm thick.

Installing underlayment is necessary when it comes to laminate vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl plank flooring is a floating floor so it is important to have underlayment across the entire surface of your flooring. 6 mil vapor barrier 1 absorbasound common questions 1 compression set test 1 duofoam common questions 1 electric heat 1 flooring underlayment 3 floor vapor barrier 1 hardwood floor underlayment 1 hardwood floor vapor barrier 1 how to install vapor barrier on concrete floor 1 indoor air quality 1 installing laminate. Putting a soft product under vinyl plank will result in an unstable floor that is much more inclined to being damaged and even punctured or torn over time.

Like plywood or osb flooring you can forgo the underlayment entirely if you prefer. If you ve chosen luxury vinyl plank flooring as a replacement for your current flooring you ve made a very smart choice. A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. You leave enough of a gap around the edge that it can expand contract flex whatever but that it s hidden by baseboard.

While underlayment for vinyl planks may be used under hardwood and laminate the reverse is not true. Vinyl planks require hard thin underlay because the product itself is softer.