When choosing vinyl flooring for your home, it’s exciting to think about how the new look will transform your space. But it’s also important to consider your subfloor, the surface underneath the flooring, to determine whether or not you need to install a vinyl flooring underlayment.
The success and lasting beauty of a vinyl flooring installation depends largely on the condition of the subfloor. To look and perform at its best, vinyl should be laid on a flat, smooth, dry surface. If your subfloor is in rough shape or has a defined pattern, such as wood planks or heavily textured linoleum, a vinyl flooring underlayment may be necessary. Also, you may have specific needs in mind, such as sound, thermal comfort, or moisture control.
What is an underlayment?
As the word implies, underlayment is a material laid under your flooring, on top of your subfloors. Decorative flooring might be vinyl, carpet, hardwood, or tile, while subfloors typically consist of concrete or plywood, built to be structural rather than attractive. Underlayment can be made of any number of materials — including foam, cork, felt, wood, or cement board — designed for a variety of purposes.
Vinyl flooring underlayment is often used to smooth out or strengthen the subfloor. It can also be used to dampen sound, control moisture, regulate temperature, or add comfort underfoot. Some vinyl flooring even comes with underlayment already attached — usually cork or foam cushion.
Does vinyl flooring need an underlayment?
Vinyl flooring does not necessarily require underlayment. If your subfloor or existing vinyl or linoleum floor is sturdy, flat, smooth, and dry, then sheet vinyl or LVT may be laid directly on top. However, be aware that imperfections or patterns in a subfloor can telegraph through sheet vinyl or flexible vinyl planks, becoming visible on the surface and eventually ruining the look of your new floor.
Solid core vinyl planks won’t telegraph imperfections, but the subfloor still needs to be flat to ensure the locking system connects fully, and the planks don’t rock or bow. If the subfloor is uneven, an underlayment is in order. Some subfloors, especially concrete, may require vinyl flooring with underlayment to act as a vapor barrier as well.
In the case of glue-down sheet vinyl, the flooring can adhere directly to a wood or concrete subfloor with no underlayment, but the subfloor must be dry, flat, and smooth for a good result.
Always consult your specific flooring product’s instructions to determine if your subfloor or existing floor is adequate or if you need to install a vinyl flooring underlayment.
What kind of underlayment is best for vinyl flooring?
If you’ve decided that you need an underlayment, the next step is to determine the best vinyl flooring underlayment to install. First, narrow down the options by focusing on those made for your particular subfloor and flooring type, then decide what additional features you need.
Concrete Subfloor
Concrete subfloors are the sturdiest, but they are also the hardest and coldest. If you plan to glue sheet vinyl to the subfloor, you won’t need an underlayment, but you may need to smooth or level the concrete prior to installation. The concrete also must be dry and properly cured for a successful vinyl flooring installation.
For floating floors, like loose-lay vinyl sheet or rigid vinyl planks, a vinyl flooring underlayment may be required as a vapor barrier and can also add much-needed cushion and warmth underfoot. You may also want to look for an underlayment designed for moisture mitigation and insulation.
Plywood Subfloor
Vinyl flooring can go over a plywood subfloor without a vinyl flooring underlayment as long as the substrate is sturdy, smooth, and flat. If your plywood subfloor is in poor condition, you may need a thin plywood underlayment to smooth the surface out.
Even if the subfloor is in perfect condition, however, you may consider an underlayment designed with sound absorption qualities, especially in a multi-level home.
Existing Floor
New vinyl flooring can be laid over an existing floor in some cases, as long as the old flooring is permanently adhered to the subfloor —not floating — and in good condition. Flooring experts recommend no more than one old layer of resilient flooring like vinyl or linoleum under your new vinyl flooring.
For sheet vinyl installation over textured resilient flooring or wood planks, a rigid layer of plywood underlayment will ensure the textured design or plank edges won’t telegraph through to your new floor.
For installation of rigid vinyl planks, a vinyl flooring underlayment is not necessary, but may be helpful for noise control or additional comfort underfoot.
How do I install underlayment for vinyl flooring?
Before you begin installation of the underlayment, be sure you order enough. Don’t forget about areas such as under a stove or refrigerator, and purchase 10% extra to account for cut waste.
Next, unless you are installing over an existing floor, remove any old flooring, padding, glue, staples, tacks, etc. Sweep and vacuum the subfloor and repair any damaged sections. If you are using rigid underlayment, you are ready to install.
For flexible underlayment, like foam or cork, under sheet vinyl, you will also need to ensure the subfloor is as smooth as possible. Sand down any high spots, fill low spots, and check that any nails or staples are flush.
Once the prep work is done, simply follow the underlayment manufacturer’s instructions for installation. Here are a few tips:
- Underlayment should be laid in the opposite direction of the flooring, typically parallel to the shorter walls, ensuring seams of the underlayment and flooring do not line up.
- Underlayment seams should abut tightly, but never overlap.
- Seams should be sealed with tape approved for use by the underlayment manufacturer.
Contact Us
LX Hausys offers HFLOR vinyl flooring in a variety of formats and designs to suit every room of your home or business. Whether you’re looking for rigid vinyl plank or vinyl sheet, you’ll find beautifully realistic designs in wood and stone looks. If you need help with your flooring project, LX Hauys’ team of experts are happy to help. Complete our contact form, and someone will respond quickly.