The best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring, plays a big role in how well it will perform and how long it will last with your LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring. Vinyl plank flooring underlayment is a necessary element of any renovation. At 2ndflooring, we know that a good base is essential. In this guide, let’s learn how the right underlayment could help you step into comfort and enjoy a resilient living space with LVP.
Best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring
Selecting the best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring is extremely important as it can promote durability, comfort, and provide better sound absorption. Proper underlayment can improve comfort and resiliency for larger areas to resist the weight of the rolling office chairs. Whisper Step is also a popular choice due to its flexibility, moisture resistance and noise reduction. The best underlayment for you varies depending on the type of subfloor and your requirements, be it soundproofing or moisture barrier.
Key terms for the Best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring:
Whisper Step is among the best underlayment for vinyl plank floorings which delivers all around performance in term of compatibility and moisture prevention.
- Underlayment is also necessary for stopping sound from traveling between floors.
- Waterproof subfloor is necessary when laying vinyl plank flooring over concrete to prevent water damage.
- Cork underlayment is great for sound insulation, but do not recommend being used over concrete without a moisture barrier.
- Foam underlayment is an inexpensive cushioning and limited insulation.
- Make sure that the subfloor is flat, clean and dry to prevent lasting floor damage due to swelling.
- Do not double up on underlayment, too much cushion can cause the floor to not lock-in securely.
Key terms for the Best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring
Foam underlayment for vinyl plank flooring
If you are deciding on the best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring, it is important that you know the type to go for that will meet your requirements and work well with your subfloor. Underlayment is the base layer of your flooring providing steam and sound barrier, as well as more comfort. Whether you choose foam, cork, rubber or a combination, such as Eco Cork Foam (made of recycled material from the wine stopper industry), each has its benefits. Foam is economical and offers baseline protection, cork is great for sound reduction and thermal insulation. Rubber underlayment is excellent for spaces prone to moisture, like a basement. By purchasing quality underlayment for vinyl plus wise installation, a long life-span and solid performance will be provided for your new flooring material.
What underlayment should I use for vinyl plank flooring?
| Underlayment Type | Best For | Features & Benefits |
| High-Density Foam | Most floating vinyl plank floors | Affordable, basic sound reduction, smooths minor subfloor imperfections, may include moisture barrier |
| Felt or Recycled Fiber | Multi-story homes, high foot traffic areas | Excellent sound absorption, comfort underfoot, impact noise reduction (IIC/STC ratings) |
| Cork | Eco-friendly, sound reduction, colder areas | Natural material, sustainable, sound absorption, slight thermal insulation; needs moisture barrier over concrete |
| Rubber | Moisture-prone areas like basements or bathrooms | Moisture resistance, sound reduction, durable, excellent for high-humidity areas |
| Foam with Vapor Barrier | Concrete subfloors, moisture-prone areas | Provides both cushioning and moisture protection, great for basements and bathrooms |
| Combination (Cork + Foam) | Eco-conscious homes, mixed needs (comfort + noise) | Offers comfort, sound absorption, thermal insulation, eco-friendly, moderate moisture resistance |
Underlayment for luxury vinyl plank flooring
LVP underlayment is necessary to achieve comfort, stability, sound reduction and moisture prevention. Choosing the right underlayment for your LVP will depend on the product type, subfloor and installation option you choose, but it can make a world of difference in how well your floor is protected and set up for success. Although some LVP products offer pre-attached underlayment, premium layers such as Abatec or Mititec can enhance the application with increased underfoot comfort and sound reduction. This guide will help you learn about the different underlayment types and which ones may work well for your LVP flooring project.
Sound Absorption: LVP underlayment will muffle the room noise and bring you a quiet home, especially suitable for households with high traffic or multi-level.
Waterproofing: Even if your LVP is waterproof, the proper underlay helps protect it from moisture as well and can stave off potential damage like warping or staining due to excessive water.
Comfort: This extra layer can add much-needed cushion to your floors, especially in areas where you stand a lot (like in the kitchen), LVP’s hardness make it less comfortable and warmer than underlayment may be needed for.
Enhanced Durability: With the proper underlayment, your LVP will last longer by getting a protective barrier against subfloor imperfections and other damage.
Required for Some Installations: Glue-down LVP requires underlayment (such as Mittec), while floating LVP can be enhanced with a moisture barrier and extra soundproofing (think products like Abatec).
Subfloor Compatibility: Not all under laments are designed to work with all subfloors (concrete, plywood or existing floor), so choosing the right one can give you the best results.
Do you need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring
Do You Need Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring? One of the most common questions when it comes to vinyl flooring is, whether you need underlay for the vinyl planks. And when you are offered underlayment attached to the plank, it is likely that the product will perform even better with an added underlayment. The right underlayment will offer additional comfort, sound insulation, and moisture protection so your LVP flooring can last for the long term with you.
What is the point of underlayment for vinyl plank flooring?
- There are many different types of underlayment, but it’s essentially a thin layer that may be installed above the subflooring and below your vinyl planks. It definitely helps to enhance the quality of your floor providing:
- Sound Absorption: Underlayment reduces both reflective sound noise and through the floor sound transmission, such as audible walking noise. This is especially good in apartments or multilevel houses where sound travels.
- Comfort: It provides a padded layer underfoot to help dampen the sound of walking as well as reduce fatigue.
- Moisture Protection: If you live in a high humidity area or have a subfloor that tends to be damp like concrete, moisture protective underlayment blocks water from soaking into the luxury vinyl planks.
- Leveling: If your subfloor is slightly uneven, the underlayment will smooth this over to create an even surface for your LVP new floor.
Felt underlayment for vinyl plank flooring
Felt underlayment is the ideal solution for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, providing superior sound absorption, thermal insulation and a comfortable feel underneath. Constructed from recycled fibers, it hides slight subfloor imperfections and offers an insulating base for floating vinyl planks. Thus, it is made for a smooth, quiet and comfortable installation especially in colder areas or high trafficked spaces for its dense structure which can accommodate the click-lock mechanism.
Cork underlayment for vinyl plank flooring
Cork Underlayment For Vinyl Plank Flooring provides superb sound reduction and cushioning for a peaceful, more comfortable home. Although cork helps to conceal minor subfloor imperfections, it’s not a moisture barrier, so installation needs to be done correctly and with the right underlayment especially on concrete subfloors.
There are many benefits of cork underlayment for vinyl plank flooring, yet there are also a handful of things you need to know about it before making a buying decision:
Sound Insulated: Cork can effectively reduce impact noise, so it is an ideal solution for multi-story applications and condominiums.
Comfort: Provides an extra layer of cushioning underfoot, making walking on your vinyl plank floors more comfortable.
Hidden Subfloor Tight: Its quality makes it hidden tight to subfloors, hiding many of its minor imperfections.
Green: Cork is natural and a sustainable material, an environmentally responsible choice.
Moisture: It is however not a waterproof material and should not be used without an additional moisture barrier if installing it on concrete or other moist areas.
Make sure cork underlayment is correctly installed, especially if it’s in a high moisture setting.
Conclusion
The best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring can help to increase comfort, isolates sound and ward off moisture. Selecting the right underlayment, whether it’s foam, felt, cork or rubber for your hardwood and laminate flooring is a very important decision. By investing in good-quality underlayment will not only prolong your LVP flooring’s life, but it will protect and enhance its utility for all installations.
