In installing new luxury vinyl plank floors, you will need to select the proper underlayment. This can be a rather challenging decision given several factors to consider, and there are quite a lot of vinyl floor underlayment products you need to go through.
A word of caution: Not every underlayment product is ideal or intended for luxury vinyl floors.
It is a great choice to consider in upgrading your whole room's look– with plenty of designs and colors to choose from. It also has easy installation and maintenance. Not to mention, it has a comfortable underfoot feel.
That said, let's explore different available underlayment options for vinyl plank flooring, including their set of pros and cons.
1,052 Ratings
This underlayment product by Roberts proves to be a practical, cost-effective choice for both floating vinyl and laminate floors.
16 Ratings
This premium vinyl floor underlayment is the thinnest– but it boasts high STC and IIC ratings.
29 Ratings
This vinyl flooring underlayment product from M.P. Global Products serves as an all-in-one solution.
This underlayment option gives you twice the moisture protection, given its double-layer vapor barrier.
16 Ratings
This underlayment product by STEICO is a German-made natural wood fiber product. Its wood fibers are held together using wood resin, a natural adhesive.
360 Ratings
This 2-in-1 underlayment has a thick foam layer measuring 2.5 mm. It offers excellent cushioning as well as sound absorption properties.
101 Ratings
This underlayment from Bestlaminate provides moisture barrier and noise reduction properties. It’s an excellent choice for floating vinyl floors.
414 Ratings
Keep in mind that not every vinyl plank flooring requires a thick underlayment. However, homeowners looking for a product with more depth can consider Amerique's 3-millimeter underlayment.
In This Review & Buyers Guide
Underlayment Ratings Explained
As we discuss product reviews, it’s best to understand the rating systems for underlayment products.
Knowing this crucial piece of information helps you better understand the correct underlayment product you need for your vinyl plank floors.
Sound Transmission Loss Test (S.T.C.)
S.T.C. refers to the Sound Transmission Loss Test. The higher your rating is, the better it is at dampening (muffling) any foreign sound or noise.
Impact Sound Transmission Test (IIC)
I.I.C. means Impact Sound Transmission Test. Similar to the S.T.C., the higher the I.I.C. rating you have, the better it prevents sound transmission.
The main difference is that I.I.C. measures any noise made from a loud impact, such as walking noises or an object falling to the floor.
R-Value
The R-value refers to the thermal rating, measuring the product's heat transmission ability. The higher the rating, the lesser heat can be transmitted. R Values range between .2 and .4.
8 Best Underlayment for Vinyl Flooring
If you're still considering your options, let's narrow down your list to the three best underlayment choices for vinyl floors.
This underlayment product by Roberts proves to be a practical, cost-effective choice for both floating vinyl and laminate floors.
It has a polystyrene foam bead layer between the top and bottom layers, improving its airflow and cushioning. This underlayment product also reduces any hollow noise in standard vinyl plank floors.
The upside: this underlayment product has a good S.T.C. and I.I.C. rating. It also has antimicrobial protection (Gold Guard) and is compatible with radiant heat flooring systems.
Advantages
Disadvantages
This vinyl flooring underlayment product from M.P. Global Products serves as an all-in-one solution. It is made from durable, recycled felt and is certified V.O.C. (Volatile Organic Compounds) free to ensure your safety.
It provides ample cushioning, a moisture barrier, and sound dampening features. You can count on the durability of this underlayment product, which you can easily cut with a utility knife. It is designed for floating engineered vinyl planks, floating luxury vinyl plank, and glue-down luxury vinyl tile or plank flooring.
It may be easily installed over wood and concrete subfloors.
Advantages
Disadvantages
This underlayment product by STEICO is a German-made natural wood fiber product. Its wood fibers are held together using wood resin, a natural adhesive.
Note that the wood fibers of this underlayment product are made from pine and spruce. It also comes in flat sheets rather than standard rolls.
Ideally, this product must be stored horizontally, installed at a 45-degree angle so the underlayment seams won't line up with the flooring.
Advantages
Disadvantages
This underlayment from Bestlaminate provides moisture barrier and noise reduction properties. It’s an excellent choice for floating vinyl floors.
The product has a 1.5 mm thickness, absorbing sound efficiently. You don’t have to worry about any creaking noise after walking over it.
However, it’s not thick enough to deal with your subfloor imperfections. Some creases may even become visible once you unroll this product on your flooring surface.
Advantages
Disadvantages
This premium vinyl floor underlayment is the thinnest– but it boasts high STC and IIC ratings. It also comes with a self-sealing overlap and tape system and has a moisture barrier.
Advantages
This underlayment option gives you twice the moisture protection, given its double-layer vapor barrier. The material also reduces footstep noise and muffles the hollow sound in floating floors.
Note that this underlayment product only measures a millimeter thick. While it helps even minor subfloor imperfections, it doesn't effectively conceal anything serious. You will need to handle this material with care to avoid accidental tearing.
Advantages
Disadvantages
This 2-in-1 underlayment has a thick foam layer measuring 2.5 mm. It offers excellent cushioning as well as sound absorption properties.
You can use this underlayment material under any wood flooring type. It is also designed with closed-cell foam, giving you excellent moisture vapor resistance. Another advantage to consider is its easy installation, as the product has an adhesive strip.
Keep in mind that not every vinyl plank flooring requires a thick underlayment. However, homeowners looking for a product with more depth can consider Amerique's 3-millimeter underlayment.
This option is best used with floating floors and wood/bamboo/laminate flooring. Additionally, the design has three ways to effectively reduce noise, prevent mold growth, and protect the floors from moisture damage.
Advantages
Disadvantages