Do I always need an underlay?
No, you do not always need an underlay for vinyl flooring. If your subfloor is perfectly level, an underlay is not needed. If that is not the case, we strongly recommend using a Quick-Step underlay. Keep in mind that they act as an additional sound barrier as well.
Because Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Pad comes with an integrated underlay, laying a separate underlay is not allowed before installing the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Pad.
Why do we recommend a QUICK-STEP underlay?
- Better levelling effect: A Quick-Step underlay helps level imperfections in your subfloor, ensuring a smoother and more stable surface for your vinyl floor.
- Better impact sound reduction (the sound towards neighbors). Without an underlay Luxury Vinyl Tiles has very LOW impact sound reduction capacity (ΔLw = +/- 4dB). Adding the basic underlay increases the impact sound reduction to 16 dB.
- An underlay will eliminate the creaking noise of small dust and other particles under the floor.
- Density and thickness of our underlays have been optimized for QUICK-STEP Luxury Vinyl Tiles floors. Using another underlay might result into damage of the floor and warranty will be void (see specific conditions in warranty document).
What about other underlays?
Be very careful with rubber underlays. Avoid using recycled rubber and vinyl together! If you use a rubber underlay, make sure that the underlay is suited for vinyl floors! Problems with your floor related to a non Unilin underlay voids your warranty.