The secret to a beautiful and lasting vinyl floor is what lies beneath its surface! What you put under a vinyl floor is called underlayment. The underlayment you use has several purposes including preventing moisture from rising up from the subfloor, soundproofing your home, and giving a subtle cushion to your steps. Here’s a complete resource to learn about the different types of underlayment for your vinyl flooring, so you can make the right decision when installing an underlayment in your home.
Understanding Vinyl Flooring Underlayment
What is Underlayment?
An underlayment is a thin layer of material that is in between the subfloor and the finished upper floor boards. It can be made from a variety of materials including rubber, felt, cork, and more. It can have several effects including being a moisture barrier or sound dampener.
Two Underlayment Variations
There are two types of vinyl flooring underlayment. The first being an attached underlayment which comes already fixed to the back of your vinyl flooring planks. The other is a separate underlayment which is prefixed to each vinyl floor plank. One isn’t necessarily better than the other but your choice of underlayment really depends on the activity that will occur in the room with the underlayment. Furthermore, whether you use prefixed or separate underlayment also depends on the vinyl floor product that you use. If you like one that already has it prefixed, then you cannot use a separate underlayment as well.
Types of Underlayment for Vinyl Flooring
When choosing underlayment for your vinyl flooring, you have several options to choose from.
Foam Underlayment
Foam underlayment is made of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) which are closed-cell plastic foams that are widely used for their lightweight, durable, and cushioning properties. This underlayment is a popular choice for flooring installation because it is lightweight and affordable. Prices generally range from $0.22 to $0.45 per square foot, depending on the density of the foam. Denser foams offer better insulation, better cushioning, and better sound absorption..Foam on the other hand absorbs moisture and therefore shouldn’t use used in wet environments without a vapor barrier. In addition, foam can compress over time especially in high traffic areas. Although it does have some thermal insulation, it isn’t well regarded for having a high R-value, so if insulation is the highest priority, foam may not be the best option..
Felt Underlayment
Felt underlayment can be made from a variety of materials including animal hair, cotton, wool, and/or synthetic fibers. They are bonded together with a binding agent or adhesive, allowing felt to be manufactured in rolls. As they can have natural fiber composition, they do absorb moisture and aren’t best for wet environments. What is superior about felt is that it has great sound dampening properties. Specifically, felt excels at dampening impact noises as its dense, compressed fiber structure absorbs vibrations. Airborne noises, such as those from talking or music, pass through felt more easily. At not a high price point, felt is a good option for multi-story buildings as impact noise is the highest concern. However, it is important to note that felt underlayment is generally NOT recommended for vinyl flooring as it doesn’t have the support structure to accommodate the rigid boards. As a professional if you do want to use felt in your vinyl flooring project.
Cork Underlayment
Cork underlayment is made of the recyclable bark of cork oak tree, making it the most eco-friendly option. Cork underlayment generally ranges from $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot, depending on thickness and quality. Cork is a very dense material which allows it to keep its form even in high traffic areas, thus making it a durable underlayment option. Cork also has sound dampening properties, even better than felt. It naturally inhibits mold and mildew growth, but does expand when subjected to prolonged water exposure, not making it a choice for overly wet conditions. Because of its naturally dense structure, cork gives a very comfortable softness and spring underfoot. This natural density also gives it great insulating properties, the best of all underlayment options. If you have a project that is geared to being eco-friendly, needs noise reduction, and some softness underfoot, cork is your option. A child’s playroom for example is a great place to put cork underlayment as it's safe, non-allergenic, eco-friendly, and absorbs all the laughter and giggles, so Mom can still sleep in the room underneath.
Rubber Underlayment
Rubber underlayment is often made from recycled rubber materials such as those from old car tires. Rubber has an amazing array of properties making it a great underlayment option for almost any situation. The issue with rubber is that it is the most expensive option. Rubber’s prices range from $1.00 to $6.00 per square foot, depending on thickness and quality, making it far more expensive than all the other underlayment options. But rubber does pack a punch! Rubber has superior soundproofing capabilities, effectively reducing both impact and airborne noises. It's highly resistant to moisture, making it an option for wet environments like bathrooms and basements. Because of its springy nature, rubber offers excellent cushioning, making walking over it very comfortable. Because of all its amazing properties, rubber underlayment has many use cases. It can be used in high-traffic commercial settings as it reduces noise and is very durable. It’s used in wet environments like bathrooms, as it is moisture resistant. It's even the choice for temperature fluctuating locations like garages or warehouses as it doesn’t change form with temperature.
| Category | Foam | Felt | Cork | Rubber |
| Cost | $0.22–$0.45 per sq ft | $0.50–$1.00 per sq ft | $0.75–$1.50 per sq ft | $1.00–$2.50 per sq ft |
| Durability | Compresses under heavy weight; less durable over time | Dense and resistant to crumbling; moderately durable | Resilient; retains performance well but susceptible to water damage | Extremely durable; handles heavy traffic and equipment |
| Soundproofing | Basic impact noise reduction; limited airborne sound insulation | Good soundproofing, especially for impact noise | Excellent for impact and airborne noise reduction | Superior for both impact and airborne soundproofing |
| Moisture Resistance | Absorbs moisture unless paired with a vapor barrier | Moderate resistance; not ideal for wet areas | Naturally antimicrobial but absorbs water; expands in wet environments | Highly water-resistant and mold-proof |
| Thermal Insulation | Low R-value; provides minimal insulation | Moderate thermal insulation | Good thermal insulation; helps retain warmth | Moderate thermal insulation; efficient for radiant heat |
| Eco-Friendliness | Plastic-based; not biodegradable | Made from natural fibers; biodegradable | Made from renewable cork bark; biodegradable | Often made from recycled materials; not biodegradable |
| Ease of Installation | Lightweight and easy to cut; simple to install | Requires careful alignment; heavier than foam | Slightly heavier; easy to cut and install | Heaviest; more challenging to handle and install |
| Weight | Lightweight | Moderately heavy | Light to moderate weight | Heaviest among underlayments |
| Ideal Applications | Residential areas, light traffic, and budget-friendly installations | Multi-story buildings or areas needing soundproofing | Living rooms, bedrooms, and eco-conscious spaces | Commercial spaces, gyms, wet areas, or areas requiring durability |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years (varies with density) | 10–20 years (depending on use) | 15–25 years (in dry environments) | 20+ years (extremely durable) |
Choosing the Right Underlayment for your Subfloor
The type of underlayment you use depends on your subfloor.
Plywood or OSB
Plywood or Oriented Strand board is found mostly in residential settings for above-grade floors, being the main floors or upper stories, not basement. Foam, felt, cork or rubber are suitable choices for this subfloor with vinyl plank flooring.
Concrete
Concrete is usually found in the basement and due to its porous nature, it can transfer moisture up from the ground underneath to the inner space. Because of this you can use foam or cork in this situation provided they also have a vapor barrier. Rubber is of course a great choice as well as it is naturally resistant to moisture.
Existing Wood Floor or Tile
Some homes have floors on top of floors! This is usually because it’s cheaper to just put down a new floor than to rip up the old one, and put it fresh on the subfloor. Noise absorption in this case is a priority because the subfloor is very rigid, especially if it’s tile and will transfer noise easily. For these projects, cork and rubber are the best options if you choose to put vinyl planking on top. They allow for good noise absorption and cushioning. Felt isn’t good as it doesn’t provide enough density for the rigid vinyl plank boards. Furthermore, basic foam isn’t a great option as it doesn’t provide good sound absorption compared to the other options.
Radiant Flooring Systems
Radiant flooring are systems that distribute heat underfoot. Therefore, we need an underlayment that allows for good heat transfer. Rubber, cork, and high density foam are all options for this subfloor as they adequately allow heat to transfer from the radiant flooring system to the upper boards.
Subfloor Type | Recommended Underlayments |
| Plywood or OSB | Foam, Felt, Cork, Rubber |
| Concrete (Slab/Basement) | Rubber, Foam (with vapor barrier), Cork (dry) |
| Existing Hardwood/Tile | Felt, Cork, Rubber |
| Radiant Heating Systems | Rubber, High-Density Foam, Cork |
| Uneven Surfaces | Rubber, High-Density Foam |
Conclusion
There are many factors that go into choosing your underlayment for your vinyl plank project. Each type of underlayment has its own unique properties, with many of the overlapping to some extent. That’s why it's important to be clear on your objectives or the space, and your budget. Keep in mind that many vinyl planks do already come with attached underlayment. It isn’t recommended to double up underlayment so if you want to be able to choose your own, be sure to buy vinyl plank without attached underlayment. If you need underlayment and vinyl floor installation in your home, call Lumina Construction, professional flooring installers, at 212-920-9163.