Do You Need A Moisture Barrier Under Vinyl Plank Flooring

While underlayment for vinyl planks may be used under hardwood and laminate the reverse is not true.

Do you need a moisture barrier under vinyl plank flooring.

It s extremely beautiful flooring that mimics natural hardwood and sometimes even stone. 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. For vinyl flooring installations over wood subfloors you will not need to worry about a moisture barrier but you may want an underlayment for added cushion or sound reduction. It may also be a requirement in certain hoa or apartment complexes to have a sound barrier with your flooring.

Just ensure any underlayment you add is thin so it doesn t impact the locking process of the vinyl planks. Moisture weakens glue bonds and causes the edges to lift. Vinyl flooring can either be glued to the subfloor or it can float on top of it and either way moisture underneath it causes problems. A concrete floor with a too high moisture content can wreak havoc on a vinyl floor.

If you re installing it over concrete and you have a question about moisture issues consider adding a vapor barrier underlayment first that will product against water problems. If you ve chosen luxury vinyl plank flooring as a replacement for your current flooring you ve made a very smart choice. A moisture barrier may or may not be needed to insure good adhesion of your vinyl floor so do your homework to avoid problems later on down the road.