Before laying new flooring, you must prepare the subfloor by removing old flooring, pulling staples, sweeping clean, and ensuring the surface is flat, dry, and structurally sound. Depending on your flooring type, you will then roll out an underlayment (like foam, felt, or cork) or a vapor barrier for cushioning, noise reduction, and moisture protection.
Floor underlayment is a layer of material placed beneath the flooring to create a smooth, level surface for installation. It helps even out small bumps and dents in the subfloor and can improve the comfort of the floor.
What goes under your flooring depends on the floor type and subfloor (e.g., concrete or wood). Generally, it includes a subfloor for structural support, a moisture barrier to prevent water damage, and an underlayment or pad for cushioning, noise reduction, and insulation.
Before laying vinyl flooring, you need a perfectly clean, flat, and dry subfloor. Depending on your base, this means sweeping away debris [0.5.2), patching dips with Floor Patching Compound, and installing an Underlayment or vapor barrier if laying over concrete.
Between the subfloor and your final flooring sits the underlayment. This crucial middle layer smooths out minor imperfections, deadens sound, and provides moisture or thermal protection. The exact material you use depends on the type of finished flooring you are installing.
Materials: Joists are typically constructed from timber, steel, or engineered wood. Subflooring is commonly made from plywood, OSB, or concrete. Underlayment materials vary depending on flooring needs, ranging from foam and cork to rubber and cement board.
Published July 14, 2025. Underlayment is a thin layer placed between the subfloor and the flooring material.
Yes, you can install vinyl flooring directly over a plywood subfloor, provided the plywood is clean, structurally stable, and completely flat. Because vinyl is flexible, any bumps, dips, or gaps will eventually telegraph through and become visible on the surface.
The "Rule of 3" in flooring is a design principle that recommends using no more than three distinct flooring materials or color variations throughout your entire home. Limiting your design to three elements creates visual cohesion, prevents a chopped-up layout, and ensures smooth, intentional transitions from room to room.
When you have a bump or dip in your subfloor, the uneven surface can cause vinyl planks click-lock-systems to become uneven. This will cause creaking or “popping” every time you walk over the floor. An underlayment can help fill in subfloor imperfections and leave your flooring a smooth surface to lay on.
The most used types of underlayment for vinyl are cork, foam, felt, rubber, plywood, and OSB.
Yes. Underlay should lie flat with the correct side facing down, usually the foam or rubber side. Always check the product label. Make sure each piece fits edge to edge without overlaps, and secure it properly so it doesn't shift once the carpet goes on top.
Yes, you can install vinyl flooring directly over concrete, making it an excellent and highly durable choice. However, concrete is porous and prone to moisture, so proper prep work and moisture barriers are essential to prevent mold, warping, or damaged seams.
Some laminate flooring planks come with the underlayment attached to each plank. Underlayment is not optional. If your laminate planks don't have it already attached, we recommend that you buy rolls of underlayment on which to install your laminate floor.
The best floor underlayment depends on your flooring type. For laminate and engineered wood, QuietWalk Plus is the top overall choice for sound reduction and moisture control. For luxury vinyl plank (LVP), opt for a specialized, dense 1.0mm to 1.5mm pad to prevent joint damage.
The best underlay for vinyl flooring is a high-density, thin (1 to 1.5 mm) underlay, such as specialized QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl Underlayment. Because vinyl is already a thin, resilient material, you must avoid thick, spongy pads. Too much cushion causes the interlocking seams to flex and break under foot traffic.
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In 2026, flooring trends revolve around warmth and natural textures, with cool, flat grays officially on their way out. The most popular colors include:
Between the subfloor and vinyl flooring, you should either install a dedicated vinyl underlayment, a moisture barrier, or simply a floor leveling patch. The exact material needed depends entirely on your specific vinyl type and whether your vinyl planks have padding pre-attached to the back.
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For the best results with vinyl flooring, use 14one-fourth𝟏𝟒-inch or 38three-eighths𝟑𝟖-inch exterior-grade plywood (such as AC or BC grade), or premium specialty underlayments like SurePly Underlayment. These provide a smooth, strong, and moisture-resistant surface that prevents telegraphing (showing seams or dents) and protects your vinyl warranty.
If you're gluing the new flooring to the subfloor, use a sander to remove paint, oil, wax, adhesives, sealers or other material and then thoroughly vacuum off dust and debris. Nail-down or floating floors may be installed over existing vinyl as long as it's no more than two layers thick.
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The absolute cheapest subfloor material is Oriented Strand Board (OSB), typically costing between $16 and $22 per 4' x 8' sheet (roughly $0.50 to $0.70 per sq. ft.). It is the industry standard for budget-conscious builds. Standard Plywood is slightly more expensive, ranging from $22 to $40+ per sheet.