Although your primary goal might be only to increase the comfort of your flooring, it is beneficial to install underlayment before putting down vinyl plank flooring- regardless of the condition of your base floor. But there are some serious drawbacks that you should be aware of before making a final decision.
In this post, I’ll go through its benefits and drawbacks, including what it is, how much it costs, and whether this kind of flooring is appropriate for your home’s design. So, let’s dive into…
What to Put Under Vinyl Flooring?
When installing vinyl flooring, choosing the right underlayment is crucial for comfort, durability, and moisture protection. The type of underlayment depends on the subfloor and the type of vinyl flooring you’re using. Here’s what you can put under vinyl flooring:
If the subfloor is uneven, adding a ¼-inch plywood or hardboard smooths it out providing a solid, stable surface for vinyl planks or sheets.
Felt and foam underlayments enhance vinyl flooring by providing cushioning and minor surface correction. Felt underlayment is primarily used with vinyl sheets, offering added comfort and support.
Foam underlayment, on the other hand, is used for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or tile (LVT) without pre-attached padding. It softens the feel underfoot and improves sound absorption while working well over both plywood and concrete subfloors.
Cork underlayment is an excellent choice for soundproofing, making it ideal for apartments.
A moisture barrier, such as a 6-mil polyethylene sheet can also be used for concrete subfloors. These provide natural resistance to mold and mildew, enhancing durability. You can even layer them beneath foam underlayment for added protection.
Vinyl Flooring with Attached Underlayment?
Vinyl flooring with attached underlayment is like having a built-in superhero for your floors. Each vinyl plank or tile comes with its trusty sidekick—a pre-attached underlayment—that’s typically made from materials like foam or cork.
This dynamic duo not only softens each step and drowns out unwelcome noise but also forms a moisture barrier and smooths over any pesky subfloor imperfections.
In short, you get a one-two punch of ease and efficiency, eliminating the need for a separate underlayment layer and ensuring your flooring installation is both a breeze and a knockout.
Advantages of Vinyl Flooring with Attached Underlayment
Many prefer vinyl flooring with attached underlayment because it is often more affordable than buying the two products separately. But before you plan to go with these options, go through their pros and cons.
Let’s start with benefits…
1- Saves Time and Money
The main advantage of vinyl flooring with underlayment attached is that it can save time and money. It would require two different installation processes if you were to install a vinyl floor and underlayment separately.
However, with vinyl plank flooring that comes with an attached underlayment, you can save time and money by having the underlayment already installed. This also means you won’t have to worry about making any mistakes during installation.
Consider a scenario where you need to work in a large room; it may take up to an hour. However, the installation process will be much quicker if you use underlayment for vinyl plank flooring.
2- Extra Comfort And Noise Reduction
Another advantage of this flooring option is that it can provide extra comfort and noise reduction.
The attached underlayment is a barrier between the floor and the vinyl boards, which can help reduce noise. This is especially beneficial if you live in an apartment or condo with slightly higher noise levels.
That said, you must remember that floors with attached underlayments absorb less sound than separate underlayments. Ensure you get vinyl flooring with a thicker underlayment to avoid this minor difficulty.
The attached underlayment can also provide extra cushioning, making it more comfortable to walk on. You only have to worry about picking ones with thicker padding, which should be 4 to 6 millimeters thick. In certain stores, vinyl flooring may come with an 8-millimeter underlayment.
3- Easy Installation and Maintenance
Lastly, this flooring option is also easier to install, maintain, and clean.
The vinyl boards are less likely to move or shift when installed over an underlayment, so you won’t have to worry about them coming loose over time. And since the underlayment is attached to the vinyl boards, you won’t have to worry about slipping or bunching up.
This also makes cleaning easier since you won’t have to worry about getting under the vinyl boards to clean the underlayment.
Disadvantages of Vinyl Flooring with Attached Underlayment
Before you make your mind, here are the downsides you need to take a look…
1- Higher Cost
The main disadvantage of vinyl flooring with attached underlayment is that it can be more expensive than buying the two products separately.
However, this will vary depending on the type and quality of vinyl flooring you choose. In some cases, buying vinyl flooring and underlayment may be more cost-effective.
The price of vinyl flooring ranges from $3 to $8 per square foot for tiles or planks with attached underlayment. But if you want luxury vinyl floors, be prepared to spend up to $10 per square foot.
You’ll also have to factor in the installation cost when considering this flooring option. Some homeowners or commercial property owners are busy and thus need other professional services to install the flooring.
The average cost of a professional vinyl flooring installation is $30 to $35 per hour, which may translate into $3 to $10 per square foot.
2- Inability to Replace
Another disadvantage of luxury vinyl flooring with underlayment is that you won’t be able to replace the underlayment if it gets damaged. You’ll have to replace the entire vinyl flooring if the underlayment is damaged, which can be costly.
Additionally, if you want to install a different type of flooring in the future, you may have to rip out the entire vinyl flooring, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
Moreover, you’re limited to the available underlayment options in terms of styles and colors. Some vinyl flooring companies may only offer one type of underlayment, which may not be suitable for your needs.
3- Moisture Problems
The attached underlayment gaps allow moisture to seep through. Water might flow through the holes in each vinyl board because each vinyl floor is covered with an individual underlayment.
If there were continuous or uninterrupted underlayment beneath the vinyl floors, it would protect the entire bottom surface from moisture much better.
Do You Need to Have Underlayment for Your Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Generally, your type of flooring or subfloor will determine whether you need to put an underlayment down before installing your vinyl plank flooring.
For example, if you have a cushion-backed vinyl floor or a standard tile floor, you do not need additional underlayment. However, if your current surface is hardwood, uncushioned vinyl, or concrete, it would be beneficial to lay down an underlayment before installation.
But remember, if your vinyl plank flooring already has an attached underlayment, you don’t need to put a separate one. To add more protection against moisture, in this case, the best thing you can do is put a moisture barrier.
Underlayment can provide additional benefits such as sound absorption, thermal insulation, moisture protection, and cushioning underfoot. If you desire any of these qualities in your flooring, you may choose to install underlayment even if it’s not strictly required.
If you’re installing vinyl plank flooring in an area where noise transmission is a concern, such as multi-story buildings or rooms above living spaces, acoustic underlayment can help reduce sound transfer.
Also, in areas prone to moisture, such as basements or bathrooms, using an underlayment with vapor barrier properties can help prevent moisture from reaching the flooring.
However, keep in mind that too much of an installation might make the process take longer and be more complicated than necessary. So, avoiding it wherever possible makes sense.
The Conclusion
Picking the right underlayment for vinyl plank flooring is like choosing the perfect mattress—you want just the right balance of support, comfort, and durability.
Factors like your subfloor type, moisture levels, and how plush you want your steps to feel all come into play. While underlayment can boost soundproofing, cushioning, and longevity, it’s not always a must—especially if your vinyl planks come with a built-in pad.
Go overboard, though, and you might end up with a floor that feels like a wobbly funhouse, not to mention potential warranty headaches.
The key? Read the fine print, many manufacturers have specific underlayment recommendations or offer vinyl planks with a pre-attached layer to keep things simple. When in doubt, follow their guidelines to ensure your flooring stays flawless and frustration-free.
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Hi, I am Mark Garner a professional carpenter, woodworker, and DIY painter. I live in the small city of Peoria, Arizona as a semi-retired woodworker. I have started this blog with a simple motive to help you with my wood experience in this sector. If you like to know more about what I love doing and how it all got started, you can check more about me here.