The answer will vary depending on the material used for the floor and the way that the boards are constructed, but, as a general rule, both laminate and engineered timber floating floors do need some form of underlay to have optimal functionality and longevity.
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.
Laminate flooring is designed to be a floating floor that may be installed over virtually any type of sub floor. And by “floating”, we mean that it doesn't need to be nailed or glued to the sub floor.
Without underlayment to add a layer between these damp subfloors and the surface flooring, your laminate can quickly become wet, warped, and mildewy, harming its overall integrity. Moisture over time can also break down floor adhesive which causes the floor to start warping.
It is very important to have a debris free and level subfloor for a glue down vinyl flooring installation! If you're installing a loose lay vinyl plank floor, you will not need an underlayment. This material can be installed directly on top of the subfloor without any additional padding.
Laminate floors can be installed directly over concrete, plywood, OSB, parquet, vinyl and tile. The underlayment must be applied to the original flooring surface first, and then the floating floor can be installed.
If you are doing a floating floor installation, you must have underlayment. This means if you have a laminate click lock floor, a vinyl click lock floor, or wish to float an engineered hardwood floor, yes, you need underlayment.
Underlayment Not Required - Vinyl Plank Flooring - Vinyl Flooring - The Home Depot.
Laminate flooring manufacturers typically recommend an underlayment. What happens if you don't put padding under laminate flooring is moisture coming through the subfloor can cause it to warp and mildew. And footsteps on the floor will be louder.
What are the problems with floating floors? Floating floors can be susceptible to moisture and humidity, which can cause warping or buckling. They also tend to be more prone to gaps between planks due to their lack of attachment.
How Does a Floating Floor Stay in Place? You might wonder what keeps a floating floor from moving if it's not secured. The individual planks or tiles are heavy and when they are locked together the weight is dispersed over a wide area and the floor acts as one big heavy flat object.
Hands down, floating floors command lower resale value than other traditional nailed down floors. Floating floors cannot be sanded and refurbished like solid floors. Extreme and frequent changes in moisture and temperature can cause the flooring to expand and contract and, finally, over time, can damage the floor.
But, it can also be one of the big disadvantages of floating floors if you live somewhere that experiences extremely high humidity. This is also due to the space between the floor and subfloor. If a lot of moisture accumulates in there, it may contribute to warping, pitting, or mold growth.
A floating floor can have a slight bounce or give underfoot, but it should not feel excessively bouncy or unstable. A small amount of deflection is normal and can be caused by a number of factors, such as the type of subfloor, the thickness and quality of the underlayment, and the installation method.
Floating floors are not designed to hold the extra weight of cabinets, and over time they can damage the floor and cause more issues in the long run. Therefore, we recommend that you install the cabinets before the floating floor.
In short, vinyl flooring itself can be completely self sustainable and does not require an underlayment to function properly. Another reason underlayments may be suggested for vinyl flooring is if the vinyl flooring type is thin. When the vinyl flooring is thin, it becomes a lot easier to flex and bend.
You will need moisture-proof underlayment or vapor barrier when there is a chance of moisture migrating upward from a concrete slab, tile, or cement board. Even a wood subfloor or flooring over a crawlspace or other non-climate-controlled space can be subject to rising moisture.
Underlayment for laminate flooring can come in different materials like foam, cork, felt, and rubber. Foam is usually a cheaper option, while rubber and felt are often a more premium option.
An underlayment can be beneficial for any type of flooring, including luxury vinyl plank flooring. It can improve sound absorption, increase comfort underfoot, and prevent potential problems. An underlayment can be installed on any type of subfloor, including concrete or wood.
Wood naturally expands and contracts with humidity and temperature, so installing an underlayment helps provide stability and support to your flooring. This assists in keeping boards from buckling, warping, or pulling at the seams.
3/4" Thick Solid Wood Flooring and most all other hardwood flooring including Engineered or Floating engineered wood flooring and Laminate floors can be installed directly over 5/8" or 3/4" thick CDX plywood sub floors.
The Best Floating Floor Options. For most homes, you have three main choices for floating floors-luxury vinyl tile, luxury vinyl plank, and engineered hardwood flooring. You could also choose carpeting which is more forgiving than other flooring.