Underlayment is a protective layer that you place on top of your subfloor before applying vinyl planks. The job of the underlayment is to reduce noise, and provide cushioning and moisture protection for flooring installed above it.
A few types of underlayments are considered standard in most cases:
- Fiberboard (composed of recycled fibers and is flammable, not recommended for use in homes with children or pets)
- Cork (made from cork bark harvested from the Portuguese island of Cortiça; good noise reduction qualities but does not provide cushioning)
- Rubber foam (also known as EPDM rubber; offers a bit of sound insulation and cushioning, but not a very high level)
- Closed-cell polyethylene foam (such as DynaFoam; provides better sound insulation and cushioning than the other underlayment options)