Do I Need Floor Underlayment

Do i need underlayment for laminate flooring over vinyl.

Do i need floor underlayment.

Virtually every type of flooring except for some types of vinyl requires an underlayment and its purpose varies with the flooring material. The easiest way to figure out if you need underlayment for your new vinyl plank flooring is to look at your current floor. If you re planning to install new flooring it s important to give some thought to the underlayment an intermediate surface lying between the structural subfloor and the surface flooring. So an additional underlay is not really compulsory.

One of the most common laminate flooring questions is do i need laminate flooring underlayment laminate flooring underlayment is essential for installation as it allows to laminate flooring to expand and contract properly on top of the subfloor. With these materials you do not need to purchase and install a separate foam padding underlayment. Tip felt underlayment can be as much as twice as expensive as foam underlayment but it provides better sound absorption. This is the finished visible flooring surface such as hardwood planks carpeting ceramic tile or vinyl.

Laminate flooring with attached underlayment. The warranty may require it. The flooring is actually on top of the sub floor without the use of nails or fasteners. Laminate is a wood product and will expand according to the climate of the room.

It needs a layer of underlay or underlayment to cushion the laminate planks and ensure a comfortable durable finished floor. You do not need foam padding under solid hardwood for many reasons but one reason is that hardwood is so dense that it limits the transmission of sound both within the room and to floors below. Just under the visible floor covering is a layer of some kind of material usually only about 1 4 or 1 2 inch thick. But the hard laminate material doesn t lie directly onto that surface.

The underlayment is installed as a cushion and sound barrier between the sub floor and laminate flooring. Its purpose is to provide a smooth flat surface for the floor covering. The underlayment provides many benefits including moisture protection sound and thermal insulation and a cushion to make the floor more comfortable to walk on. An underlayment is a necessity for any wood floor installation even on a plywood subfloor.

And it is enough to serve the purpose of an underlay. There s a base layer in most cases when using the vinyl floor. This is the layer that you see and walk on. Laminate flooring is designed for quick and easy installation over almost any flat smooth floor surface.

Laminate flooring is installed using a free float method where the flooring is not mounted to the sub floor.