What underlayment should I use for vinyl plank flooring?

Plywood is often the most commonly used type of underlayment in vinyl plank flooring installation. Sheets of 4×8 foot plywood, usually ¼ to ½ inch thick tend to be an excellent flooring underlayment for many subfloors including wood, tile, and linoleum.

Do you need underlayment for laminate plank flooring?





Underlayment for laminate flooring is a must. Since laminate is a floating floor, it must be evenly distributed across your subfloor. Underlayment is what allows the floor to float, gives it stability, support, noise reduction, and supports the locking systems in between planks to assure the sturdiest flooring project.

Can you put vinyl plank flooring over plywood subfloor?

Can I install vinyl flooring over wood, plywood, particleboard or chipboard? You can install vinyl over wood floors if you put a plywood subfloor on top of it. Do not install glue down or peel and stick products over particleboard, chipboard or any form of embossed floor.

How thick should vinyl plank subfloor be?

When you install your vinyl on a wood subfloor, the top plywood should be a minimum of 1/4″ thick. For most subfloors, you will need to add an extra layer of wood.

Does vinyl plank flooring need vapor barrier?

Meaning, if you’re going to install vinyl plank flooring over tile, vinyl flooring, and even hardwood. As with the plywood floor, there’s no need to worry about a moisture barrier; the underlayment should provide cushioning and sound-deadening benefits.

What is the difference between subfloor and underlayment?





The subfloor is the bottom most structure of the floor. It provides a flat and stable surface and supports the actual floor. Underlayment is different from the subfloor in that it rests between the subfloor and the actual floor.

What happens if you don’t use underlayment under laminate flooring?

If the subfloor in your home or property is uneven, then your laminate floor could move and shift if it doesn’t have an underlayment for support. As a result, the floor will be more prone to wear-and-tear and could even warp. The more stability, the less likely you’ll have to pay out of pocket for costly repairs.

Can you use underlayment under vinyl plank flooring?

Installing underlayment beneath the luxury vinyl tile planks can hide these imperfections so the result is a smooth surface with no “popping.” And, it’s much easier to install underlayment than do the work to get the subfloor absolutely perfect.

Do you need a moisture barrier on wood subfloor?

Wood Subfloors



Sometimes, a moisture barrier is not recommended. If you’re installing your hardwood floors over a wood subfloor, you should avoid using a moisture barrier. Over time, moisture can get trapped between the moisture barrier protecting your hardwood flooring and the wood subfloor.

What are the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring?

Some disadvantages of vinyl flooring include:

  • Cannot be repaired.
  • Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Shorter lifespan than wood floors.
  • No impact, or negative impact, on home resale value.
  • Difficult to remove, especially if adhesive is used during installation.
  • Not eco-friendly; difficult to recycle.

What goes on top of subfloor?



Underlayment: Some types of flooring can be installed directly on top of the subfloor, such as vinyl flooring. Other types need a middle layer, called underlayment, such as laminate,carpet and tile.

Is plywood or OSB better for a subfloor?

This evolved plywood may claim an overall advantage over OSB, since plywood is a stiffer, longer-lasting subfloor option. It will also hold up better under flooring accidents like leaks or flooding, and has greater nail withdrawal strength to hold the nail in under stress.

What is the best board for flooring?

Plywood has been a standard subfloor material since the 1950s and remains the preferred subflooring for many builders. Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but a better material is 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

Do I need 2 layers of subfloor?

Almost no one puts down double-thick subfloor in residential applications (for cost and handling reasons), and both layers need to be fastened to joists. Only thin underlayment can be fastened just to the subfloor.

Do I need tongue and groove subfloor?



For subflooring, you use tongue and groove plywood. The tongue and groove are only along the 8 foot edges. On the four foot edges, your seams will fall on joist tops, so no need for tongue and groove.

Which is better OSB or plywood?

OSB offers more consistent quality than plywood because there are no core voids and OSB will not delaminate. Plywood is also more likely to delaminate when exposed to moisture than OSB. No matter your inclination, OSB has become the building material of choice for North American professionals.

Do you nail or screw subfloor?

Using code-approved screws rather than nails is the best option for avoiding movement. If using nails for subfloor installation, stick with ring-shank nails; smooth nails may withdraw easier, leading to squeaks.

What thickness plywood should I use for flooring?

The minimum thickness of plywood for subflooring is about 5/8 inch. Since it does not hold fasteners as well as plywood, OSB must be a little thicker, or at least 23/32 inch.

Is 12mm plywood OK for flooring?



The cross-graining technique used in our 12mm ply improves strength, stability and prevents warping, making it excellent for bath panelling, wall lining floors and roofs.

How thick should underlayment be for vinyl flooring?

1mm to 1.5mm thick

Most vinyl underlayments are 1mm to 1.5mm thick. When dealing with a click lock vinyl of 4mm or thicker, an underlayment has several benefits: It can help smooth over minor subfloor imperfections. It will add extra cushion to the floor, creating a softer feel under foot.