Does LVT Flooring Need Underlay?
With Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) becoming a popular type of flooring for a wide range of uses and rooms, it’s important to understand how to install it, and what you’ll need to do so.
For example, many people wonder whether or not LVT needs an underlay to be installed.
Simply put: no, LVT flooring doesn’t need underlay. But getting it has numerous benefits of longevity, sound-proofing and added insulation.
So, getting underlay with LVT all depends on your specific needs when it comes to your flooring. For example, you might prefer a cheaper option, or perhaps you prioritise soundproofing and insulation.
In this article, we’ll walk you through whether Luxury Vinyl Tile needs an underlay, based on your requirements.
What is LVT Flooring?
LVT - also known as Luxury Vinyl Tile - is a type of flooring which is designed to look like either wood or stone, depending on your preference and decor.
It is made of several different materials including PVC, which are layered together. A realistic image of wood or stone is then printed on the top.
LVT has several different benefits, including durability, and it’s softer underfoot than hardwood or real stone flooring. It’s often considered a more comfortable and warmer alternative to regular vinyl.
In addition, Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring is generally known to be easy to install. There’s even Click LVT available, where you can click the tiles together. This is ideal for people who prefer to install their flooring themselves as a DIY project, which also helps keep costs down.
As we mentioned above, LVT flooring is quickly becoming more and more popular, due to these benefits and others.
Does LVT Flooring Need Underlay?
LVT flooring doesn’t necessarily need an underlay. But getting so has benefits, which we will cover below. LVT can generally be installed on the subfloor or floorboards without needing anything else. But a professional will always recommend you get underlay with LVT because it’s simply better for the long-term.
When we’re talking about LVT flooring, it’s important to understand that there are two types, each of which is installed in a different way. These two types are Click LVT and Glue-Down LVT.
The first of the two, as you’d imagine, is far easier to install - as the name suggests, all you need to do is click this product into place.
Installing the second of these options entails putting adhesive on the subfloor and putting the Luxury Vinyl Tile directly on it.
You don’t need an underlay to install these types of Luxury Vinyl Tile, which is why some people prefer it to laminate, which requires an underlay in most circumstances.
The Benefits of Using an Underlay for LVT Flooring
There are several different benefits when it comes to using an underlay for your Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring. These include:
● Sound Insulation: Installing your Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring with an underlay can help reduce noise by a good amount. This means that, if one of your priorities is flooring that cushions sound well, it might be a good idea to install an underlay with your LVT floor.
● Comfort Underfoot: LVT flooring is already known to be soft, especially in comparison to other types of flooring like vinyl. That means, if you install this flooring with an underlay, it’ll boost the underfoot feel even more, as there is another layer between your flooring and the subfloor or floorboards.
● Shock Absorption: Again, there is another layer between your flooring and the ground if you install an underlay. This adds an additional amount of shock absorption, ideal for areas with a lot of traffic.
Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Options
There are different styles of LVT available, to suit a wide range of decors.
Stone and wood Luxury Vinyl Tile are as the names suggest, and they can come in all colours and styles, including grey and brown, so whatever you’re looking for, chances are you’ll be able to find LVT flooring to match your room.
Within the categories of stone and wood LVT, you can get lots of different patterns and variations, including herringbone and parquet.
This means that, whether you’re planning on using underlay for your new LVT, you’ll be able to find a style that works for your space.
Wall2Wall Carpets and Flooring
If you’re looking for Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring to fit your space and style perfectly, it’s time to take a look at Wall2Wall Carpets and Flooring’s LVT range today.
We have both Click and Glue-Down Luxury Vinyl Tile available, in a wide range of different styles, including paraquet, herringbone and other types of wood and stone LVT. Our Luxury Vinyl Tile products are available in a wide range of styles, so you’re bound to find one that matches your taste.
So, whatever your priorities are in terms of flooring - whether that’s getting the right style, underfoot comfort, soundproofing or all of the above - at Wall2Wall Carpets and Flooring, we’re here to help, so get in touch and our friendly team of carpeting and flooring experts can help point you in the right direction.
Our team members are also here to help you understand whether using an underlay with your Luxury Vinyl Tile might be a good idea, based on what you want out of your new flooring.
Getting LVT underlay
As you now know, there are lots of different benefits which using an underlay could offer, as discussed in the article above, including increased soundproofing, improved underfoot comfort, and higher durability and longevity.
That’s why choosing whether to use an underlay very much depends on your requirements and what your space is like, including the amount of traffic in the room and whether you need more cushioning and shock absorption.
If you’re looking for LVT flooring - even if you’re not sure if you want to use an underlay - our team at Wall2Wall Carpets and Flooring can help you find the right flooring to bring comfort and joy back into your space.