Plywood Underlayment For Vinyl Flooring

While underlayment for vinyl planks may be used under hardwood and laminate the reverse is not true.

Plywood underlayment for vinyl flooring.

Most underlayment approved plywood is at least 11 32 inches the standard recommendation. Avoid using materials with distinct raised grain patterns which can affect the finish texture of the sheet vinyl. Apa plywood underlayment grades recommended for areas. Plywood used as underlayment for sheet vinyl flooring should also have a sanded smooth surface on the topside.

It should have an exterior or exposure 1 exposure durability classification and a fully sanded face. Cuts easily with a utility knife while strong enough to withstand extreme bending without breaking. The old standard for resilient vinyl flooring was lauan plywood commonly referred to as luan or meranti. Plywood underlayment is a thin plywood material that is most commonly used under resilient flooring materials such as vinyl and linoleum sheets and tiles.

It can also be used under hardwood laminate and carpet but this is much less common these days because subflooring is typically smooth enough for these materials many of which are installed with a different type of underlayment or pad. Just under the visible floor covering is a layer of some kind of material usually only about 1 4 or 1 2 inch thick. Some professionals however will use plywood as thin as 1 4 inch for resilient flooring if the subfloor is in particularly good condition. This is the finished visible flooring surface such as hardwood planks carpeting ceramic tile or vinyl.

Vinyl planks require hard thin underlay because the product itself is softer. One thing is certain with underlayment and vinyl plank flooring though and that s the fact that when it s recommended it must be thin and it must be dense. Meets the highest grading standards for strength and appearance. There s no need for a moisture barrier underlayment on plywood.

Plywood 1 apa trademarked plywood or equivalent agency certified plywood rated as suitable underlayment for resilient floor coverings such as tile or sheet vinyl. Designed as underlayment for vinyl flooring. Find flooring underlayment at lowe s today. This is the layer that you see and walk on.

Meaning if you re going to install vinyl plank flooring over tile vinyl flooring and even. The subfloor is the structural plywood that is used during construction. An underlayment that offers more cushioning is armstrong flooring quiet comfort. The term plywood underlayment is not interchangeable with the term subfloor.

Its purpose is to provide a smooth flat surface for the floor covering. It s more important that the underlayment dampens sounds and feels comfortable. Installation instructions must be followed.