Do I always need a vinyl 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 in combination with Alpha Vinyl. Keep in mind that the Quick-Step underlays 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 strongly 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). In the technical data sheets of the underlays you may find the sound reduction values.
- An underlay will reduce 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 and other synthetic underlays. Because they can cause migration. 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.