FAQs
Do I need additional underlayment if my LVP has an attached pad?
When installing LVP over a concrete subfloor, a thin 6-mil poly moisture/vapor-barrier is required before installing LVP. Sentinel Protect Plus and Sentinel Protect Infinity underlayments are also approved moisture barriers. For installations not over concrete, using an additional underlayment is approved based on the product’s specific installation instructions. See the install guide for more information on approved underlayments and installs.
Does attached pad replace a vapor barrier on concrete?
No. The attached pad provides cushion and minor sound reduction but does not block moisture. Over concrete slabs, a separate 6-mil polyethylene vapor/moisture barrier is still recommended to prevent moisture migration into the subfloor cavity. Check the product's installation guide for specific requirements that affect warranty coverage
Is attached pad vinyl better for sound reduction?
Attached pad vinyl reduces impact noise from footsteps, dropped objects, and pet nails compared to bare installation. Most pads deliver an IIC (Impact Insulation Class) improvement of 5 to 15 points. For upper-floor apartments with HOA noise requirements, verify the product's IIC rating meets code. Do not add extra underlayment to compensate - it risks joint failure
How much does vinyl plank flooring with an attached pad cost?
Attached pad vinyl carries a modest premium over comparable planks without a pad, but you save on separate underlayment material and labor. Net installed cost is often comparable. Floor & Decor stocks attached pad options in-store and sources directly from manufacturers with no middleman markup. Visit your local store or use the online project calculator for a personalized estimate
Can I add extra underlayment under attached pad flooring?
When installing LVP over a concrete subfloor a thin 6-mil poly moisture barrier is required before installing LVP. Sentinel Protect Plus and Sentinel Protect Infinity underlayments are also approved moisture barriers. For installations not over concrete, using an additional underlayment is approved based on the product’s specific installation instructions. See the install guide for more information on approved underlayments and installs.
The Underlayment Question, Answered Clearly
When installing LVP over a concrete subfloor a thin 6-mil poly moisture barrier is required before installing LVP. Sentinel Protect Plus and Sentinel Protect Infinity underlayments are also approved moisture barriers. For installations not over concrete, using an additional underlayment is approved based on the product’s specific installation instructions. See the install guide for more information on approved underlayments and installs.
Moisture Barrier/Vapor Barriers and Concrete: What You Actually Need
On concrete subfloors, a separate 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier-also known as a moisture barrier- is required. even with an attached pad floor. Concrete transmits moisture regardless of age -even cured slabs can produce enough vapor to create problems under a floating floor over 12 to 18 months. The vapor barrier sits between the concrete and the pad. Always confirm with the product's installation instructions, as manufacturers set specific requirements that affect warranty coverage.
Faster Installation, Fewer Materials
The practical advantage of an attached pad is project simplification. A standard LVP installation without a pre-attached pad sometimes requires purchasing underlayment separately, rolling and taping it across the subfloor, and trimming around obstacles -adding 15 to 30 minutes per 100 square feet of prep time. Attached pad planks go directly onto the subfloor (or vapor barrier over a concrete subfloor), reducing material costs and installation labor.
