Do i have to use padding under vinyl plank flooring?
What is Underlayment Use for ?
As an indispensable building material in flooring projects, there are two common ways of using a backing. One is to make a finished floor directly on the production line together with the floor (for example SPC flooring with IXPE underlayment). This common bottom layer is about 1mm-2mm, and EVA floor mats and IXPE padding are commonly used.
The other is to lay the bottom back before installing the floor. This underlay is generally rolled, and the common material is PU foam, which is cheap and suitable for large-scale construction projects.
It can be installed under most types of grouted, glued, and floating floors, including ceramic tile, stone, marble, brick, pavers, hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, parquet, LVT, and carpet.
Are you trying to figure out whether you need underlayment for vinyl flooring?
Choosing the Best Underlayment for Vinyl Flooring Depends on a Lot of Factors
The main things to consider are:
1. vinyl flooring type (sheet vs. plank, different types of cores, etc.)
2. installation style (floating, glue-down, etc.)
3. subflooring material (wood, concrete, etc.)
4. specifications of your specific product.
5. Your specific needs.
So: be absolutely sure to check with your flooring manufacturer and installer first. or contact us for direct consultation.
Rating Systems for Vinyl Flooring Underlayment
STC (Sound Transmission Lost Test): The larger the STC score, the more ambient noise (like talking and music) your underlayment will absorb.
IIC (Impact Sound Transmission Test): Just as with STC, the higher the number, the better the underlayment is at absorbing sound. Unlike STC, however, the IIC score refers to impacts like footsteps.
R Value: It is the capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.
IXPE & EVA mat , which one is better?
Vinyl flooring manufacturers have incorporated a bottom lining under the surface of the floor plate to improve the noise resistance of SPC rigid flooring. In which, the use of IXPE and EVA foam materials to make mute pads can play their role more fully. The material has the characteristics of environmental protection, flame retardant, insulation, waterproof, moisture resistance, shock absorption, aging resistance, easy processing and molding, no pollution, etc.
Is underlayment necessary for Rigid core SPC flooring?
Vinyl flooring Underlayment
It can be installed under most types of grouted, glued, and floating floors, including ceramic tile, stone, marble, brick, pavers, hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, parquet, LVT, and carpet.
Underlayment for SPC flooring is a must. Since SPC vinyl plank is a floating floor, it must be evenly distributed across your subfloor. Underlayment is what allows the floor to float, gives it stability, support, and noise reduction, and supports the locking systems in between planks to assure the sturdiest flooring project.
