Do I need Underlay for LVT Flooring?
So, you’ve decided to update your home with LVT Flooring, and now you’re wondering if you need to purchase Underlay to use with it? First of all, great choice! LVT Flooring is an excellent way to add a fresh, modern look to your home without breaking the bank. It is suitable for any room in your home; however, it is especially ideal for bathrooms and kitchens, given they fact it is highly water-resistant. In addition, it is durable and super easy to maintain; it’s a win-win product for you!
But do I need LVT Underlay?
Ultimately LVT underlay can give your LVT flooring that added extra feel it needs to impress your family and friends. The underlay improves the cushioning effect of the floor greatly reducing the impact of noise created by your floor being walked upon. As to whether you need it, the truth is it all depends on the type of LVT Flooring you have bought. Some LVT Floors come with an in-built layer of cushioning; however, some don’t, and in those instances underlay is a worthwhile investment.
Another worthy consideration is the flooring’s thickness; LVT that is less than 4mm thick shouldn’t be installed with Underlay because it can affect the strength of the ‘click’ mechanism during installation. Should the click mechanism fail and break this will potentially ruin your flooring. We recommend LVT with a minimum 4mm thickness, this will give you the best return for your investment allowing you to use underlay and improve the effectiveness of the flooring and maximise on the available benefits from that type of flooring.
Benefits of LVT Flooring Underlay
Improved Comfort
Underlay adds an extra layer of foam between the subfloor and your LVT Click Flooring, significantly improving the floor’s comfort, making it much softer and comfortable to walk on.
Stability
LVT Flooring is best known for its ease of fitting with its simple click and fit into place, with no adhesive required. This makes it perfect for you if you’re looking to fit your flooring yourself. However, without Underlay, there is a possibility your flooring could move over time, which is where Underlay will help as it adds stability to your installation.
Noise Reduction
LVT Underlay has fantastic acoustic properties; being made from high-density foam, designed to absorb sound and offer high levels of noise reduction. This makes it perfect for high traffic areas where people are walking on your floor frequently, reducing the impact of noise and keeping your neighbours happy!
Moisture Protection
Another benefit of LVT Underlay is moisture-protection. Most LVT Underlays have a damp-proof membrane, reducing the risk of moisture accumulating beneath the floor. Before fitting your flooring, it is essential to test your subfloor’s humidity and ensure it falls below 75%, as any dampness can cause the floor to lift and curl; if you think this may be an issue, LVT Underlay is a recommended investment and will help reduce that risk.
Get in touch!
Still unsure whether you need to purchase Underlay for your particular project? No worries, here at British Flooring, we’re always happy to help! You can call us on 0203 325 9082 and receive advice from our friendly customer service team, or if you’d prefer to email, you can drop us a line at sales@british-flooring.co.uk.
Do I need Underlay For LVT Flooring FAQs
The cost of LVT flooring underlay is calculated per m² and can vary depending on the supplier and the quality of the product.
Here at British Flooring, we provide some of the best LVT underlays on the market, including the 2mm Acoustic Vinyl Click LVT Flooring Underlay.
Sold in a 15m² roll, this product is a fantastic option for domestic and commercial installations. When paired with LVT click flooring, it helps to extend the lifespan of your new floor by reducing the impact. And best of all, it’s available for as little as £55.50 – making it one of our most affordable LVT underlays!
To find out more about the cost of our underlay for LVT flooring, or for help choosing the best product for your new flooring, talk to the team.
The process of installing LVT flooring underlay is simple – even if you’re no expert at DIY.
To start, you need to find a suitable underlay for your LVT Flooring, preferably one with a high density and moisture barrier.
Before you can fit the underlay, you need to prepare the subfloor by gathering all the necessary tools and double-checking your measurements are accurate. To ensure there are no bumps, dirt or debris, sweep or vacuum the surface.
Once you’ve done that, position your LVT underlay in the direction you would like to lay it and push each roll tightly together, leaving no room for gaps or movement. To prevent any unwanted shifting beneath your floors, we recommend using Barrier Pro X Tape to join the underlay seams.
For more tips on installing underlay for LVT flooring, don’t hesitate to call us on 0203 325 9082.
Although underlay is designed to last around 25-30 years, several factors affect its lifespan. These include the quality and thickness of the underlay, the material it is made from, the amount of daily foot traffic and its exposure to heat and moisture.
Luckily, our underlays for LVT flooring are made from impact-resistant toughened foam, providing additional protection for your LVT and prolonging its lifespan. Another great thing about our LVT underlays is that they reduce noise levels and improve thermal insulation within the room – plus they’re straightforward to install, requiring just a few tools.
Although a higher quality product is likely to cost you more than a cheaper one, you can expect it to last longer – meaning you won’t need to replace it as often.
If you’re unsure how to prolong the longevity of LVT flooring underlay, be sure to send us a message via our online enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Unsure which LVT underlay is right for your gorgeous new flooring?
Here at British Flooring, the Royale LVT Acoustic Vinyl Click Underlay is our go-to recommendation. Not only is it made from impact-resistant toughened foam that helps to extend the lifespan of your flooring, but it also boasts a high-density construction that reduces noise by 20dB.
On top of this, Royale’s LVT flooring underlay has an integrated damp proof membrane and silver-foil backing, which effectively improves insulation. And the seams are easy to join using Barrier Pro X Tape – preventing unwanted movement and locking out moisture.
As a leading supplier of underlay for various floor types, we have vast knowledge of the products available on our website, and we will be more than happy to assist you in choosing the most suitable one for your Luxury Vinyl Flooring.
So, why not give us a call on 0203 325 9082 and discuss your requirements with our experts?
I need 20 m2 ( for a room 16ft by 13ft ( 19 m2)
Do you only sell in 15 m2 sizes
Dear John – This roll comes in 10m2 which for 2 comes to 20m2, hope this helps – Best British Flooring Team
https://www.british-flooring.co.uk/product/lvt-acoustic-vinyl-click-underlay-10m-x-1m-roll/
Hi I need a bit off avice I bought LVT flooring and the guy has told me to put hardiebacker under lay down is this just to bump the cost up r it this under lay ok
This might be to even out your subfloor and provide additional insulation, we think this is OK – best British Flooring Team
I have purchased some LVT stick down for a shop floor. We have had laid a liquid DPM and re screeded but, the property is listed (it’s old) and is still showing signs of damp in the floor. Can we use one of your underlay products with a built in DP layer before laying the LV tiles?
Yes Royale LVT silver underlay has a DPM membrane is perfect for LVT / Laminate or wood floors. I would suggest LVT click flooring not stick down. British Flooring Team