While underlayment for vinyl planks may be used under hardwood and laminate the reverse is not true.
Best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring in basement.
Types of vinyl for basement flooring.
Vinyl planks require hard thin underlay because the product itself is softer.
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.
While rosin and tar paper are common options aquabar b underlayment from fortifiber is a top option.
This underlayment for hardwood floors is more tear resistant and durable according to users.
We ll cover those features and our recommendations on what underlayment is best for your basement.
If you ve chosen luxury vinyl plank flooring as a replacement for your current flooring you ve made a very smart choice.
Most vinyl underlayments are 1mm to 1 5mm thick.
Since vinyl planks are generally thinner than a laminate the underlayment is also thinner.
If you re installing new vinyl flooring over an existing floor such as hardwood tile laminate or vinyl then cork or foam make good choices.
It s extremely beautiful flooring that mimics natural hardwood and sometimes even stone.
Vinyl plank flooring is more durable than either cork or bamboo making it a great choice if your basement floor gets a lot of foot traffic.
Vinyl plank flooring is a floating floor so it is important to have underlayment across the entire surface of your flooring.
Sheet vinyl and planks.
A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment.
Suitable vinyl flooring for basements pretty much includes all vinyl flooring but if you re looking for a floating floor that requires no adhesive and goes directly over concrete two options stand out.
When installing hardwood choose a floor underlayment that provides a smooth surface over the subfloor.
Always install basement carpet on top of a vapor impervious subfloor this will raise the temperature of the floor in winter make your carpet more pleasant to walk on and most importantly prevent humid air from cozying up to the concrete and triggering mold growth.
If too much cushion is beneath the vinyl planks the locking system and joint integrity will be compromised.
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.
This is a fancy durable moisture proof and informal floor that makes good sense for basements especially.
Like plywood or osb flooring you can forgo the underlayment entirely if you prefer.
We recommend using a vapor barrier on a cement subfloor to prevent moisture from seeping up and sitting beneath your flooring.
When looking for basement floor underlayment you will need to look out for key features.