Can You Lay Vinyl Flooring Over Carpet Underlay

No you cannot lay vinyl flooring over carpet underlay.

Can you lay vinyl flooring over carpet underlay.

When installing vinyl plank flooring over existing floor materials underlayment may not be required but it can help with cushioning and sound reduction. With certain types of flooring the underlayment can be just as important as the floor itself. As long as it is flat and in good condition your laminate will install well on top. You absolutely cannot use carpet underlayment underneath laminate flooring.

Wear layers and topcoats can protect the surface of your floor but underlay adds a layer of protection to the bottom of your boards or tiles. While vinyl flooring is known for its resiliency it would be a major mistake to overlook the underlayment. Why people use underlayment people turn to underlayment for comfort underfoot sound reduction and moisture barriers. If no you are in luck and the carpet was properly installed on an even subfloor and you can install vinyl flooring over it.

After you tear out the old carpet and underlayment. Be sure that the carpeting is less than inch high. The most common type of floors floated over carpet are vinyl and laminate given they are budget friendly and feature a simple interlocking system of installation. As much as you want to cut down costs on a new floor this is not the way to do it.

The vinyl flooring needs a solid flat surface to adhere to. No underlayment is needed in this type of installation. Temporary flooring can be what breathes new life into a space without breaking the bank and spending a lot of time tearing out carpet. If a carpet pile is too high there may not be enough stability to float your floors.

The basic rule of thumb when checking to see if you can lay underlayment down on top of an installation is to check to see if your new finish product is reliant on movement for its structural.