MarilynKelvin: Can I Use Underlayment Under Vinyl Flooring For Warmth?

Dear Bob and Betsy,

I live in northern Michigan and it can get cold in the winter. Can I use underlayment under vinyl flooring as insulation to keep my house warm? If so, what kind of underlayment is best?

Thanks! Silvia O.

Dear Sylvia,

BRRR! Winters in Michigan don't sound fun! We can understand why you would be concerned with warmth and insulation in any place you can get it. There is some good news and bad news when it comes to underlayment and vinyl flooring.

No Thick Underlayment Under Vinyl Flooring

Unfortunately, adding insulating underlayment under vinyl flooring will cause the flooring to be unstable. Because vinyl flooring isn't made from wood products, it does not have the same structure that laminate flooring does. Vinyl flooring needs to have a sturdy, stable sub-floor with very little cushioning regardless of the installation type: glue-down, click-lock, or loose lay. However, if you are installing vinyl flooring over a concrete sub-floor, you will need a very thin vapor barrior, such as Visqueen Vapor Barrier underlayment to protect your flooring from moisture.

Visqueen 6Mil PE Vapor Barrier

If You're Set On Having Insulation Under Your Floor…

If you are set on having the warmth and insulation under your flooring, we would suggest switching to laminate flooring. Laminate flooring has to have underlayment in order to float the flooring. There are lots of different underlayments to choose from for your specific needs. If you're looking for insulation, we recommend Robert's Super Felt Premium Underlayment. The felt adds lots of insulation and sound dampening properties that will keep you warm and your floors quiet!