If you’re planning to upgrade your living space with luxury vinyl plank flooring then first you should learn how to improve the luxury vinyl plank flooring’s comfort and performance. 

LVP flooring is undoubtedly a great choice as it offers style, durability, and easy maintenance. But do you know why and how to select the right underlayment? The reason is that selecting the right underlayment can enhance your LVP flooring's comfort and performance. 

What are LVP and Underlayment?

Before we learn tips, let's understand what are LVP and underlayment. 

LVP stands for Luxury Vinyl Plank. As its name suggests, LVP is designed in planks. Luxury vinyl plank flooring mimics the look of traditional wood flooring but with all the benefits and features of vinyl, not wood. People often get confused between LVP and LVT, while LVT (luxury vinyl tile) is designed to give flooring the look of tile or stone with the benefits of vinyl.

Underlayment is a thin material layer between the subfloor and the flooring material. It goes under the LVP planks and makes everything much better. It is done to support, cushion, and absorb sound.

Why Underlayment is Important for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

People think that LVP is already comfortable and durable on its own so why do underlayment? You may be surprised to know that underlayment for luxury vinyl plank flooring is necessary because: 

• Comfort: If you want your floors to feel soft and springy underfoot, underlayment is necessary. It makes the floor more comfortable to walk on.
• Noise Reduction: It contributes to a quieter home by lowering impact sounds, especially footsteps and furniture movement so that you can have a peaceful living home.
• Moisture Protection: Not all, but a few underlayments have built-in moisture barriers so that moisture can not damage your flooring, especially in high-spill or damp locations.

Tips for Selecting the Best Underlayment for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

Now you know why underlayment is necessary. 

Let's learn some tips for choosing the best underlayment for your LVP flooring to improve its comfort and performance:

1. Consider Thickness

Select an underlayment that will raise the floor just enough, not too high so that you can get necessary cushioning without being overly thick. For most installations, a thickness of 1.5 to 2 mm of thickness is considered good.

2. Check Sound Ratings

If you have kids in your home or you want underlayment for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring for your office, then go for underlayment with high sound absorption ratings. Go for products that have a 50 or higher rating for both, STC (sound transmission class) and IIC (impact insulation class). A higher than 50 rating is considered good for lowering noise. 

3. Moisture Protection

LVP flooring underlayment is great for people who live in humid areas or have moisture in the walls of their home, such as - the bathroom and kitchen.

Go for underlayment with a built-in vapor barrier. By doing this, you can lessen the chance of moisture entering and destroying your flooring.

4. Compatibility of Underlayment

Make sure the underlayment you choose is compatible with your luxury vinyl plank flooring at all times. A few underlayments function better when combined with LVP since they are specifically made for that purpose.

5. Installation Ease 

To make installation easier, choose underlayment that is simple to put together. A few products are available on the market that have overlap seams or adhesive strips, that make installation easier so that you can do it yourself. It will save you money.

6. Durability

Last, but most important. Always go for underlayment made of high-quality materials for luxury vinyl plank flooring. Material plays a significant role in LVP flooring underlayment when you have heavy foot traffic as only the high-quality material can withstand it and offer long-term support for your flooring.

Now, we ensure that by keeping these tips in mind, you can select the perfect underlayment for your luxury vinyl plank flooring to enhance comfort and performance.

Final Thoughts on LVP Underlayment

If you are new or don't have knowledge, then remember that underlayment is essential for improving the comfort and functionality of your luxury vinyl plank. You may get more durable, quieter, and softer LVP flooring by choosing the right underlayment.

Therefore, before beginning the LVP flooring installation process, take your time choosing the best underlayment for your requirements. And if you’re still confused about what flooring options will suit your living space, come to Tiles Of Europe. 

Offering an extensive selection of premium luxury vinyl tiles to accommodate different tastes and design sensibilities is something we at Tiles of Europe are proud of. Come and explore how LVT can improve the elegance and comfort of your flooring demands by visiting our store.

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