Do You Need Underlay For Sheet Vinyl

It s a common misconception that you would need underlay for vinyl flooring.

Do you need underlay for sheet vinyl.

Any minor bumps can be removed with a masonry chisel and small sledgehammer. The planks do not have an attached padding or underlayment. When it comes to vinyl floors or underlay for vinyl click flooring this is not required. Plywood used as underlayment for sheet vinyl flooring should also have a sanded smooth surface on the topside.

You also do not need an underlayment if. We want to install the planks on top of the sheet. Most vinyl floors don t need an underlay. If you re laying the lvp over an existing cushion backed vinyl floor or a below grade tile floor then you won t need to use an underlayment.

Our luxury vinyl click flooring is laid using the same as technique as laminate options in that it s loose laid creating a floating floor. There are several types of underlayment for this type of flooring and we ve seen brands with a thin layer of foam pre attached as well. If your subfloor had dips or damage it could show through the vinyl over time. Avoid using materials with distinct raised grain patterns which can affect the finish texture of the sheet vinyl.

If not will it be okay and not have problems in the future. If the surface you re laying on is level and smooth a well cushioned vinyl floor should be fine on its own. However you ll want to use one in every other application including covering existing hardwood floors vinyl flooring that isn t cushioned and concrete floors. It is designed to create a smooth durable surface which is why it is so important for vinyl flooring.

Vinyl flooring is so thin that any imperfections underneath it like bumps grooves or cracks will show right through. Do you need to have an underlayment. Vinyl floors that are glue down or loose lay will not need a vinyl underlayment as these floors will be installed directly over the subfloor. For installation of vinyl flooring you need a smooth even surface for the underside of the flooring to achieve the best contact for adhesion.

Sheet vinyl can be installed over concrete if the surface of the concrete is clean smooth and dry. A vinyl flooring underlayment will not be as thick as a laminate or hardwood underlayment. A concrete floor with a too high moisture content can wreak havoc on a vinyl floor. You can lower high spots with a grinder.

A concrete floor seems like the perfect base for a vinyl floor installation. Underlayment goes on top of the structural support of your floor and under your actual flooring. That doesn t mean you don t need underlayment for sheet vinyl however. Vinyl underlayment is an optional add on to click lock vinyls that are 4mm or thicker.