Do You Need Vapor Barrier When Installing Hardwood Floors

Manufacturers require a vapor barrier if you check the warranty on the box of new flooring you just purchased you ll probably find that installing the product without a vapor barrier voids it.

Do you need vapor barrier when installing hardwood floors. Whether or not you need a vapor retarder hinges on three main factors your climate your home and the location of the wall you re insulating. You absolutely do not use a vapor barrier over a wood substrate under a wood floor. The key to a beautiful long lasting hardwood or laminate floor is a well prepared subfloor. This can cause the subfloor to warp and rot promoting mold growth and causing serious damage to your home.

You don t want wood to wood. However you ll want to use one in every other application including covering existing hardwood floors vinyl flooring that isn t cushioned and concrete floors. The type of underlayment you should use depends on the subfloor and whether it s concrete plywood or an existing flooring material. There are many types of vapor barriers including pvc.

Before you install your plywood subfloor first calculate the room s square footage to find out how much flooring you ll need to buy. Do this by multiplying the room s length by its width. Over time moisture can get trapped between the moisture barrier protecting your hardwood flooring and the wood subfloor. Not every wall does.

Preventing the moisture from seeping up into the hardwood requires the installation of a vapor barrier also called a moisture barrier. Plastic foam felt cork and rubber are common choices. You also do not need an underlayment if your vinyl plank flooring has underlayment installed however you may need a vapor barrier. By installing plastic sheeting on top of the dirt under the subfloor you can protect your subflooring from getting too much moisture.

When you are installing nailed flooring you want a barrier that will protect the subfloor as well as the flooring. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall ceiling or floor during the cold winter. They offer soundproofing insulation a moisture barrier and added comfort while also helping to level out the subfloor. If you re installing your hardwood floors over a wood subfloor you should avoid using a moisture barrier.

Moisture barriers are for going over concrete or to cover the top soil in a crawl space. Anything else promotes dry rot. Asphalt felt or rosin paper as a slip sheet when on the second story of the residence. After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder sometimes called a vapor barrier if you need one.

What kind of underlayment do i need.