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To answer your question, no, you don’t always need underlay for luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring. However, it depends on many factors, so there are exceptions to the rule.
For instance, some houses have uneven subfloors, which need underlay for a smooth installation. Also, some people prefer having underlay for added moisture protection and sound insulation.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the topic and tell you whether you need underlay for your LVT flooring or not. And if you want to install new floors right away, check out our LVT services here!
Whether you need underlay for LVT flooring or not depends on the condition of your subfloor, your personal preferences, and the type of floor you choose. LVTs come in two forms:
No, glued LVT flooring doesn’t require underlay because it already has a protective base layer. It either comes with applied glue on the back or requires separate adhesive.
The installation process is straightforward and doesn’t call for any extra preparation steps.
Click LVT flooring also doesn’t require underlay because it doesn’t touch the subfloor. Instead, the tiles or planks come in unique designs that interlock together like a puzzle. It’s called a ‘floating floor’ because there’s a hollow area between the floor and subfloor.
However, some people prefer to add underlay for more warmth and better sound insulation. The reason for this is that the hollow area breeds louder stomping sounds than usual, which is inconvenient in high-traffic rooms.
There are many different types of underlay that are suitable for luxury vinyl tiles, including:
Foam underlay is often manufactured from extruded polystyrene foam, and it provides sound insulation and cushioning like no other type.
It comes with an attached moisture barrier to improve the floor’s resistance to water damage. Its only setback is that it isn’t as durable as LVT flooring, which is inconvenient because you’ll have to remove the entire floor to replace it.
Cork is a natural material, making it an eco-conscious choice. It provides more warmth than foam and has equally good sound-absorbing capabilities.
It’s also naturally resistant to mould and mildew, but it doesn’t come with a moisture barrier and is slightly pricier than foam.
Rubber underlay is manufactured from synthetic materials that are durable, sound-absorbent, and resistant to mould.
It’s an ideal option for rooms with heavy furniture because it doesn’t dent easily.
Felt underlay is manufactured from recycled materials, and it provides decent warmth and cushioning under luxury vinyl tiles.
It isn’t as sound-absorbent as other materials, so it should be avoided for high-traffic rooms or beneath floating floors.
Combination underlay is made from felt and rubber, and it combines the best of both worlds. It provides the durability and sound insulation of rubber and the warmth and softness of felt.
It’s pricier than many other materials, but it lasts as long as luxury vinyl tiles and rarely needs replacement earlier than the floor itself.
Vapour barrier underlay is a thin layer of plastic that prevents moisture entry through the floor to the subfloor.
Its main aim is to prevent water damage, so manufacturers recommend it for houses with concrete subfloors. However, it doesn’t absorb sounds or add warmth, so it needs an extra underlay with it.
Self-adhesive underlay comes with applied adhesive to make installing it easier.
The adhesive’s strength increases with traffic, so this underlay is highly recommended for high-traffic rooms in both commercial and residential areas. It can be made from cork, rubber, felt, or foam.
Acoustic underlay is a general term that refers to sound-absorbent underlay. Its main aim is to dampen sounds that result from footsteps, objects falling, furniture moving, and more.
However, it also adds warmth and softness underfoot. Acoustic underlay mainly comes in large sheets or rolls made from cork, rubber, felt, or foam.
Heat-reflective underlay is designed from insulative materials, like felt or polyurethane, that prevent heat from escaping the floor.
Accordingly, it provides more warmth underfoot and inside the house, making it an ideal option for colder regions. As a bonus, it also adds softness and dampens footstep sounds.
It depends on why you’re installing underlay. There’s a suitable thickness for each condition, including having a smooth or uneven subfloor, wanting extra sound insulation, or following the manufacturer’s instructions.
The common thickness range of underlay for LVT ranges from 1.5 mm (1/16 inch) to 3 mm (⅛ inch). However, the specific number depends on the reason you’re installing.
Smooth subfloors don’t require underlay, but some people prefer adding it for better sound insulation and more warmth.
In this case, the underlay doesn’t need to be extra thick. Instead, a range from 1.5 mm to 2 mm is perfectly fine.
Uneven subfloors often require underlay to ensure a smooth and even LVT floor. The thickness of the underlay should depend on the unevenness of the subfloor.
However, the reasonable range is 2-3 mm, and the thicker it is, the better the results will be.
Since LVTs are solid floors, they produce loud stomping sounds. To dampen the noise, some people install thick underlay beneath the tiles with a common thickness range of 1.5-3 mm.
The more sounds the floor produces, the thicker the underlay should be for a better effect.
Moisture damage is a common issue in households, and it results from water seeping through the floor into the subfloor.
An underlay can protect the subfloor from moisture effectively, and its thickness varies depending on the subfloor’s material and moisture exposure in the property.
Some LVT manufacturers recommend installing underlay for better moisture protection and sound insulation. In this case, you should follow the recommendations and ask about the suitable thickness of the underlay.
The general installation method for underlay under LVTs is:
Kindly note that this is the general process, but some steps might differ according to the type of underlay you choose and the condition of your subfloor.
Yes, you can install underlay yourself, but it’s recommended that you hire a professional.
The success of the installed underlay dictates whether your LVT flooring will be smooth or not. Any mistake, and you’ll have to remove your entire floor and then underlay to fix it, which is both costly and time-consuming.
The average cost of installing underlay beneath LVT flooring can range from £3 to £8 per square foot.
The final price you pay depends on the type of underlayment you choose, the size of your floor, and the average labour wages in your area.
Here are the environments where you should install underlay:
Installing underlay for these conditions will make for better life quality, as it’ll dampen footstep sounds, boost warmth and softness underfoot, and prevent moisture damage.
No, underlay isn’t always environmentally friendly, especially when it’s made from artificial materials like foam and rubber.
Meanwhile, some types are eco-friendly because they’re made from natural or recycled materials, like cork and felt.
Here’s a list of some of the top brands that sell underlay in the United Kingdom.
Whether you need underlay for your LVT flooring depends on many factors, including how even your subfloor is and your need for extra sound insulation and moisture protection.
If you decide to get it, you should settle on an underlay type and thickness. The thicker the layer is, the better protection you’ll get.
If you need a design consultation or more information about installing LVTs, get in touch with us today!