Best Underlayments to Use with Vinyl Plank Flooring

Installing vinyl plank flooring can transform the look and feel of any room. With the wide variety of vinyl plank flooring options available today, it's easier than ever to choose a style that fits your home's aesthetic.

But the underlayment you choose is just as important as the vinyl planks themselves. The right underlayment provides a smooth, even surface for installation. It also helps insulate against noise, regulate temperature, and absorb moisture.

How Does Underlayment Benefit Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Underlayment is an essential component for any vinyl plank flooring installation. Here's an overview of the key benefits underlayment provides:

• Adds cushioning and comfort underfoot
• Helps level out slight subfloor imperfections
• Reduces noise from footsteps and furniture movement
• Insulates against cold from concrete subfloors
• Absorbs moisture and prevents damage to planks
• Makes the flooring feel more substantial and luxurious

With all these advantages, it's clear that choosing the right underlayment is critical for getting the most out of vinyl plank flooring.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Underlayment

You'll want to keep the following factors in mind when evaluating underlayment options:

Type of Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring comes in two main categories:

• Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVT) - Made of vinyl layered on top of rigid plastic or wood composites. This type is thicker and more durable.
• Flexible Vinyl Plank - Made entirely of layers of flexible vinyl without a rigid core. This is thinner and less durable.

Rigid LVT can handle thicker, higher-quality underlayment. Flexible vinyl requires a thinner underlayment to prevent indentations.

Subfloor Type

Underlayment must pair well with the subfloor (the foundation under your vinyl planks):

• Concrete - Needs underlayment that cushions and insulates.
• Plywood or OSB - Requires moisture protection more than extra cushioning.
• Existing floor - May need a thicker underlayment to smooth uneven areas.

Concrete subfloors can get quite cold in basements and lower levels. Quality underlayment provides an insulation barrier against that cold transferring up into the vinyl planks. For wood subfloors like plywood and OSB, underlayment helps smooth out any slight imperfections or gaps between panels. It also gives moisture protection since wood can absorb and transfer dampness.

Moisture Protection

Preventing moisture damage is essential, especially for concrete subfloors. Look for vinyl plank underlayments with a moisture barrier or vapor barrier.

Moisture protection is so important because excess dampness underneath vinyl plank flooring can cause the planks to swell, warp, and buckle. This not only damages the flooring but also leads to mold and mildew growth. Underlayment with a built-in moisture barrier keeps that dampness safely sealed away from the vinyl planks.

Sound Insulation

Underlayment with sound-dampening properties will reduce noisy footsteps and provide greater acoustic privacy.

The right underlayment can make a significant difference in limiting noise transmission through the floor. This enhances privacy between rooms and allows you to fully enjoy your vinyl plank flooring without annoying creaks and thuds.

Comfort Level

Thicker, more cushioned underlayments enhance comfort underfoot but may not work with all vinyl plank floors. Find the right balance for your specific flooring.

Underlayment density and thickness impact the softness of the floor. Thicker underlayment with high-density foams or natural materials like cork provide the most luxurious, padded feel. But excessively thick or soft underlayment can indent rigid LVT flooring over time. Find an underlayment with just the right amount of give for your particular vinyl planks.

Types of Underlayments for Vinyl Plank Floors

Now that you know what to look for, let's examine the top underlayment contenders for vinyl plank flooring:

Cushioning Underlayments

These underlayments add softness and acoustic insulation without moisture protection:

• Felt - Affordable option offering moderate sound insulation. Too soft for some rigid LVT.
• Foam - Cushions well. Choose high-density foam for durability under heavy furniture.
• Cork - Naturally moisture-resistant. Provides insulation against noise and cold.
• Rubber - Firm but shock-absorbent. Offers excellent durability.

These are great options if moisture protection is not a concern. The extra cushioning enhances comfort while limiting noise. Felt offers an inexpensive starting point but compresses more over time. Foam, cork, and rubber provide lasting support and acoustic insulation.

Moisture Barrier Underlayments

These options include a polyethylene or aluminum vapor barrier to prevent moisture damage:

• Polyethylene Foam - Combines cushioning with reliable moisture protection.
• Closed Cell Foam - Dense foam resists moisture while adding cushioning.
• Rubber Cork - Moisture barrier topped with cork for acoustic insulation.

For basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other damp areas, a moisture barrier underlayment is highly recommended. The vapor barrier prevents moisture from seeping through to damage vinyl planks. Polyethylene foam offers a complete moisture solution. Rubber cork provides superb acoustic dampening in addition to its barrier.

Sound Reduction Underlayments

These underlayments excel at limiting noise transmission:

• Cork - Naturally reduces impact noise and airborne noise.
• Foam - Choose high-density foam for better sound dampening.
• Rubber - Excellent at limiting both airborne and impact noise.

For multi-level homes, apartments, and condos, sound insulation is a top priority. Cork, high-density foams, and rubber underlayments work beautifully to reduce noise transmission through vinyl plank flooring. This enhances privacy and limits bothersome footsteps and vibrations.

Combination Underlayments

These hybrid underlayments deliver multiple benefits:

• Cork-Foam - Provides moisture protection, insulation, and comfort.
• Foam-Plastic - Combines foam cushioning with a plastic moisture barrier.
• Rubber-Cork - Moisture barrier topped with cork for reduced noise.

For those seeking a comprehensive underlayment solution, hybrid options excel. Cork-foam offers unbeatable cold and sound insulation with moisture protection. Foam-plastic pairs cushioning and an inexpensive vapor barrier. Rubber-cork provides superb acoustic insulation andBlocks moisture.

Other Key Considerations for Choosing Underlayment

Keep in mind these other important factors when selecting underlayment:

Cost

Prices range from less than $0.50 per square foot for basic felt to over $1 per square foot for high-end rubber and cork. Find the best balance for your budget.

Felt and foam are the most budget-friendly options. For a significant upgrade in sound, moisture protection, and durability, consider spending a bit more on rubber, cork, or hybrid underlayments. This lasting investment will protect your vinyl plank flooring for years to come.

Ease of Installation

Look for underlayment with self-adhesive strips or tape for quicker installation. Loose-lay is also faster to work with than rolled sheets.

Underlayments with self-stick adhesive backing save tons of time securing each sheet in place. Loose-lay designs allow you to simply roll out sections and mold pieces around room edges and fixtures. Opt for the quickest, easiest underlayment installation that fits your DIY skill level.

Thickness

2-3mm offers suitable cushioning for most vinyl plank flooring. Thinner underlayments can lack adequate sound insulation.

Underlayments thinner than 2mm sacrifice performance to save on cost. They compress more rapidly and lack acoustic dampening. For rigids LVT flooring, 2-3mm gives that perfect balance of cushioning without allowing indentations when furniture is moved.

Durability

Consider expected traffic, furniture weight, pets, and kids. Prioritize underlayments like rubber and high-density foam for longevity.

The underlayment you choose must stand up to everyday use. Rubber offers unmatched density to prevent compression and indentation. High-density foams provide durable cushioning for families and pets. Purchase an underlayment rated for high traffic if your space will see a lot of action.

Warranty

Look for at least 10 years of warranty coverage. This protects against material defects and ensures longevity.

A robust warranty guarantees performance and durability for the long haul. Be sure to register your underlayment upon installation to activate full warranty coverage. This protects your investment should any unlikely issues arise.

Based on all these factors, here are my top recommendations for vinyl plank flooring underlayment:

For rigid LVT on concrete , choose a 2-3mm cork or rubber underlayment . This provides cushioning, insulation, sound absorption and moisture protection.

For rigid LVT on wood , use a foam underlayment with vapor barrier . The foam cushions while the barrier prevents moisture damage.

For flexible vinyl plank , pair with a thin 1-2mm foam underlayment . The foam adds comfort without indenting the planks.

Be sure to match the right underlayment thickness and material to your specific vinyl plank flooring. This ensures proper cushioning, sound insulation, and protection against moisture andIndentations. Investing in quality underlayment enhances your flooring's performance, comfort, and longevity.

Installing the right underlayment ensures your vinyl plank flooring looks great while providing insulation and acoustic privacy. Now you can choose the perfect underlayment for your specific vinyl plank flooring needs.