What should I put down before laying vinyl flooring?

Author: Garland Wolff  |  Last update: Monday, August 4, 2025

The best underlayment for vinyl flooring varies; foam offers extra cushioning, felt provides sound control and insulation, and cork is great for noise reduction, but not a moisture barrier.

What goes down before vinyl flooring?

Most modern vinyl flooring, such as Happy Feet, comes with an attached underlayment or pad, often with a moisture barrier built-in – unless the pad is cork. If the product you choose doesn't have an attached underlayment, you can almost always install directly over the subfloor without one.

How do you prepare a floor before laying vinyl?

Prep your subfloor so it's clean, dry and level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. Use a self-leveler on low spots and/or sand high spots of wood or concrete. Don't sand old vinyl flooring as it may contain asbestos.

What is the best base for vinyl flooring?

Felt underlayment is a popular choice for vinyl plank flooring due to its affordability and ease of installation. It is made from recycled materials and offers excellent noise reduction properties. Felt underlayment also provides a slight cushioning effect, making your floors more comfortable underfoot.

What happens if you don't put a moisture barrier under vinyl flooring?

If you don't leave an expansion gap while installing Vinyl Planks, it can lead to warping, buckling, or cracking as the material expands or contracts due to temperature and humidity changes.

How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring as a Beginner | Home Renovation

Do I need to fill grout lines before laying vinyl plank flooring?

When you're laying LVP over existing tile, the grout lines are one of the first things you'll need to address. Grout lines can create a slightly uneven surface, and if not smoothed out, they might become visible through the LVP, creating an unsightly “telegraphing” effect.

What is the difference between a vapor barrier and a moisture barrier?

Both are designed to keep moisture out of your home and can be made from various materials. But there are a few key differences, the most apparent being that moisture barriers are better at keeping out liquids, and vapor barriers are better at keeping out water in its gaseous state.

Can you put vinyl flooring directly on subfloor?

Generally speaking, LVP can be installed directly over subfloors such as concrete or ceramic tile assuming they're clean and level. Additional underlayment may be required if installing over existing hardwood or vinyl sheet floors to protect against moisture damage and sound transmission.

Which backing is best for vinyl flooring?

Foam core backing is a popular underlayment choice for vinyl flooring, because it provides thermal insulation and acoustic isolation. Foam core is typically made from polyurethane, and it is available in both high and low density varieties.

What can vinyl flooring be laid on?

With the proper substrate, you can install vinyl flooring over:
  • Concrete flooring.
  • Laminate flooring.
  • Vinyl flooring.
  • Solid hardwood flooring.
  • Engineered wood flooring.
  • Ceramic or stone tile.

Can a beginner install vinyl flooring?

Learning how to install vinyl flooring is something you can do yourself. Vinyl flooring costs a fraction of the price of hardwood, making it a great option for beginner home improvers. This guide will give you the basics on how to install vinyl plank flooring in any room easily and efficiently.

What plywood should I use under vinyl flooring?

Cover the floor area with either a 4mm or 6mm plywood - the thickness selected should be determined by the quality of the surface being covered. Ply should be of suitable quality, eg SP101. Wood should be fixed using screws, twisted shank or ring shank nails, serrated or divergent staples.

How can I level my floor cheaply?

Cut and Place Shims – Shims are thin strips of wood you can stack under the plywood to bring everything up to level. Start placing shims in the low spots, adding them in layers until each section reaches level. This can take a while, so get comfortable.

What to do before laying vinyl flooring?

Remove all furniture from the room as well as any existing vinyl or carpet floor coverings. Check for nails and tacking strips, before thoroughly sweeping and vacuuming the subfloor. Make good any damage such as holes/cracks in the subfloor (this can be done by using a repair mortar).

Why does my LVP floor crackle when I walk on it?

When you walk on tile, you are pushing it down into the adhesive, and if the tile is not conformed, you are pushing it into contact with the adhesive which causes the clicking/crackling sound. To fix this, you can usually heat the area for at least a day, and then roll the tile using a 100-pound roller.

What is a common underlayment for vinyl flooring?

The best underlayment for vinyl flooring varies; foam offers extra cushioning, felt provides sound control and insulation, and cork is great for noise reduction, but not a moisture barrier.

What base does vinyl flooring need?

Foam: Being one of the least expensive underlayments you can buy, foam fits as the perfect choice to be put under your vinyl floor, especially if your subfloor is made of plywood. However, make sure that you have no moisture issues as foam and water aren't a good combination when it comes to flooring.

What not to put on vinyl flooring?

Vinyl Flooring “Don'ts”
  1. Never use steel wool or abrasive scrubbers to clean your vinyl floor.
  2. Avoid using detergents, soaps, abrasive cleaners or products intended to add shine to your floors. ...
  3. Don't use wax or solvent-based polishes.
  4. Don't use ammonia or ammonia-based cleaning solutions.

What goes between subfloor and vinyl?

Underlayment sits between the subfloor and the finished floor covering. They can be made from a variety of materials like foam, cork, felt, and rubber.

Does anything go underneath vinyl flooring?

Underlayment is not required if the vinyl flooring will be laid over a cushion-backed vinyl floor or a tile floor below grade. In all other applications, however, you should use one, such as covering existing hardwood floors, vinyl flooring without cushion, and concrete floors.

What is the best backing for vinyl plank flooring?

Choosing a vinyl flooring with rubber backing is ideal. Rubber features several properties that make it a quality choice for a long-lasting floor. Rubber is a strong option that can withstand heavy loads. It also offers valuable shock absorption that can help to make your floor more comfortable to walk on.

When not to use vapor barrier?

Don't: Put Vapor Barriers on the Bottom of the Floor Joist in the Crawl Space. Because vapor barriers are good at retaining moisture, putting plastic sheeting on the joists can cause moisture to build up under the floor.

Should I put a moisture barrier under vinyl flooring?

Typically, moisture barriers are needed when vinyl flooring is installed on top of a concrete subfloor or crawl space. Please refer to the manufacturer guidelines, installation instructions, and warranty information for more details.

What can I use instead of vapor barrier?

Materials such as rigid foam insulation, reinforced plastics, aluminum, and stainless steel are relatively resistant to water vapor diffusion. These types of vapor retarders are usually mechanically fastened and sealed at the joints.

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