Flooring is, no doubt, an essential part of the decorative statements in any house. And with the new innovation, people obviously want to keep their house up-to-date. And, for that sake, they first go to the flooring. If you are the one who is going to install vinyl flooring in the house, then you must be thinking of vinyl flooring underlayment thickness, as well. Because underlayment provides more cushioning. Although vinyl flooring doesn’t require any underlayment, with the trend, a cushioned surface is always appreciated.
With that said, you might have a question in your mind, i.e. how thick should the underlayment be for vinyl flooring so that it won’t make the space overwhelmed or provide enough cushioning. Don’t you get worried, because here in this article, you will get to know the answer to this very question, and you will get satisfied by having the idea of underlayment thickness for vinyl flooring?
Factors on Which the Vinyl Flooring Underlayment Thickness Depends
Although vinyl flooring doesn’t require any underlayment. But if you still really want to install that, then it should be the perfect one. Because thickness matters a lot. And, factors mentioned below will help you in choosing a standard underlayment for your vinyl flooring. With so many options available, it must be a difficult decision to make. But if you take care of these factors, then they will make your task much easier.
1. Check Your Subflooring Type, First
First thing first, you have to check if your subflooring can take the underlayment and then this wooden flooring, both at a time or not. Well, there are 3 types of subflooring over which you might be installing the underlayment.
If it is Concrete Subflooring
If you are going to install the underlayment for vinyl flooring over the concrete flooring. Then, you might be looking for the vinyl flooring underlayment thickness. Along with that, it should be moisture resistant and could add thermal ratings. For such floorings, laying an underlayment is a good choice. Because concrete or cork flooring is hard enough to walk on.
Therefore, it is always better when an underlayment gets installed over the concrete flooring so that the vinyl flooring will gain some extra cushioning effect. And it will feel soft under your feet while walking. Also, it is recommended to install a moisture barrier in order to prevent any moisture trapped between the underlayment and subfloor.
If It is Plywood Subflooring
If your subflooring is plywood on which you are going to install the underlayment for vinyl flooring over it. Then, the vapor barrier is not a concern. You might be looking for the one which could add much cushioning and is sound dampening. In double or triple-story houses, flooring installation becomes necessary. Because it reduces the unwanted sound effect and will create a peaceful zone for you.
Moreover, it adds so much cushioning to your underfoot that you will feel much relaxed while walking over it. It will be worth your money if you install it in such places. As it adds warmth to your space, your entire living space will transform into a much more comfortable place.
If It is Your Existing Subflooring
If it is not concrete or plywood flooring, and you are going to install the vinyl flooring over your existing subflooring, i.e. tile. Then, moisture barrier or sound dampening might not be your very concern. In this case, the only thing you might want is cushioning. Well, for that purpose, make sure your subflooring is clean and levels enough to take the underlayment for vinyl flooring. It also depends on vinyl flooring underlayment thickness.
Because if the subflooring is not leveled or improper, then it might cause the problems during installation of vinyl flooring and its underlayment, as well. Moreover, you will not get the better effect of cushioning. So, it is recommended to ensure that your subflooring is in good condition or not.
2. Go For the Ideal Thickness of Underlayment For Vinyl Flooring
Ideally, the perfect thickness of underlayment for vinyl flooring which is recommended is 2mm or 4mm. Furthermore, it depends on the thickness of your vinyl flooring. If the vinyl flooring is thin enough and you want to add an extra cushioning effect, then go for the 4mm thick underlayment. But, if the vinyl flooring is itself thick, and you want to add some more cushioning, then you should go for the 2mm thick underlayment. Otherwise, your space will start to give an overwhelmed look.
3. Go For the Moisture Resistant Underlayment
If you want a moisture barrier, positive thermal ratings, and the cushioning effect in one underlayment. Then, you should look out for the floor muffler ultra seal LVT underlayment. It is almost 1mm thick and has all the features that you want. Moreover, it has self-sealing tape and uses sound absorption technology. Although you won’t get that much cushioning effect but with so many other features, it cannot be neglected.
To Sum Up
At the end of this article, I really hope that you now have the exact idea about how vinyl flooring underlayment thickness should be. All the factors and steps are well explained. So, it is safe to say now that you are going to make a standard choice and transform your space into the most comfortable living place.
