No additional underlay is placed under vinyl planks with integrated underlay. VinCore panels have a layer of IXPE foam pre-connected to each panel, which reduces footfall noise by 19 dB and meets the requirements of durability standards. An additional, soft layer underneath will not improve the floor's parameters, and the installation instructions prohibit laying the panels on soft surfaces. The only element that is added under the panels in certain situations is a vapor barrier foil. Below it is explained what role the underlay plays, what is the difference between an integrated underlay and a separate underlay, and when the foil is needed.
The most important information at a glance
- VinCore panels have an integrated IXPE foam backing, so they do not require a separate purchase of the backing.
- An additional underlay is not needed - the instructions do not provide for it and prohibit installation on soft surfaces.
- Impact noise reduction is ΔLw 19 dB according to EN ISO 717-2.
- The vapor barrier foil is recommended when there is a risk of moisture and installation directly on the substrate.
- For underfloor heating, the specified thermal resistance of 0.052-0.055 m²K/W already includes the underlay.
- The primer will not replace the leveling of the substrate - any irregularities above the tolerance must be removed before installation.
What is the underlay for vinyl planks used for?
The underlayment is the layer between the substrate and the panel. Floating floors, i.e. floors that are not glued to the subfloor, have several functions at the same time:
- suppresses impact sounds, i.e. the sound of footsteps transmitted to the building structure and to the rooms below,
- improves walking comfort by softening the hardness of the floor,
- transfers loads from the panels to the substrate, thanks to which the locks do not work under excessive pressure,
- separates the panel from the substrate, which limits direct contact with its minor irregularities.
The properties of the primer must be matched to the specific panel. A layer that is too soft or too thick under a stiff panel allows it to flex excessively, which puts stress on the locks. Therefore, vinyl floor manufacturers increasingly combine the underlay with the panel at the production stage.
VINCORE · IXPE FOUNDATION
Underlay integrated in VinCore panels
| Characteristic | Information |
|---|---|
| Type of foundation | IXPE foam integrated into each panel |
| Mute impact sounds | ΔLw 19 dB (EN ISO 717-2) |
| Underlay durability | Complies with EN 826 and EN 1606 (CS ≥ 10 kPa, CC ≥ 2 kPa) |
| Thermal resistance of the floor with underlay | 0.052 m²K/W (5 mm) and 0.055 m²K/W (6 mm) |
| Additional backing | It is not needed; the instructions prohibit installation on soft surfaces |
| Vapor barrier foil | Recommended when there is a risk of moisture and installation directly on the substrate |
Source: VinCore catalog and technical data sheets.
There are two solutions available on the market. Panels without a backing require a separate purchase and installation of a mat or backing roll with parameters recommended by the panel manufacturer. Panels with an integrated underlay have this layer connected at the bottom at the factory, so they are placed directly on the prepared subfloor.
Advantages of integrated foundation
- Matching to the panel - the underlay parameters are selected by the floor manufacturer, so there is no risk of choosing the wrong material.
- Simpler assembly - there is no need to unfold and connect the underlay strips.
- Predictable parameters - sound insulation and thermal resistance - are given for the floor together with the underlay.
- Fewer layers - which is important for underfloor heating and limited building height.
Undercoat in VinCore panels
All VinCore collections, i.e. WOOD, WOOD+, HERRINGBONE and HERRINGBONE+, have an integrated IXPE foam backing. The most important parameters are summarized in the table.
IXPE integrated underlay in VinCore vinyl panels - soundproofing, durability and thermal resistance
19 dB reduction
According to the technical data sheet, VinCore floors achieve impact sound insulation of ΔLw 19 dB according to the EN ISO 717-2 standard. This parameter describes how much the floor limits the transmission of footstep sounds through the ceiling. In multi-family buildings, this translates into lower audibility of footsteps in the premises below, and in open living areas - into higher acoustic comfort.
Underlay durability
The backing in VinCore panels complies with the requirements of the EN 826 and EN 1606 standards. The technical data sheet provides CS ≥ 10 kPa and CC ≥ 2 kPa. The first parameter concerns compressive strength, and the second one concerns resistance to compressive creep, i.e. permanent deformation under long-term load. Both are important for the stability of the locks, especially under furniture.
Panel design
The IXPE underlay is the lowest of the five layers of the panel. Above it there are: a rigid composite core of stone and polymers with a click system, a high-resolution decorative foil, transparent wear layer and a scratch-resistant matte polyurethane coating. The total thickness of the panels with underlay is 5 mm in the WOOD and HERRINGBONE collections and 6 mm in the WOOD+ and HERRINGBONE+ collections.
Is a second underlay placed under panels with an integrated underlay?
NO. The VinCore installation instructions do not provide for an additional underlay and at the same time explicitly prohibit installation on floating floors, carpets and other soft surfaces. The second layer of foam under the panel would create just such a soft surface. This could lead to excessive sagging of the panels and load on the locks, and in the case of underfloor heating it would additionally increase the thermal resistance of the entire floor.
It is also worth remembering that the primer will not level the surface. The panels should be placed on a flat surface within the tolerance limits of 2 mm per 1 m and 1 mm per 20 cm. Irregularities above these values must be sanded or leveled with a screed, preferably a self-leveling compound.
When is a vapor barrier foil needed?
VinCore panels are waterproof, but do not act as a barrier against moisture from the substrate. The instructions explain that the product will not be damaged by moisture, but it may penetrate the walls and structure of the building. Therefore, if there is a risk of moisture and installation directly on the substrate, it is recommended to use a vapor barrier foil.
The foil does not replace drying of the substrate. Before installation, the humidity of the cement substrate should be below 2.5% and of the anhydrite substrate below 0.5%. The final assessment of the suitability of the substrate rests with the installer, and in case of doubt, the instructions recommend contacting the manufacturer.
Underlay and underfloor heating
With underfloor heating, each additional layer impedes the flow of heat. The thermal resistance of VinCore floors measured according to EN 12667 including the integrated underlay is 0.052 m²K/W in 5 mm thick collections and 0.055 m²K/W in 6 mm thick collections. These values are for a complete panel, so there is no need to add a separate primer.
The remaining conditions for installation on underfloor heating are specified in the instructions: the temperature of the floor surface cannot exceed 27°C, the temperature should be raised gradually and thermal seals should be used, and in the case of electric heating, an element controlling the temperature increase is required.
On what substrate are panels with integrated underlay placed?
VinCore panels should be installed directly on a cement or anhydrite substrate. The instructions also allow for other hard surfaces:
- resin floors,
- OSB or MFP wood-based boards,
- wooden floors,
- natural stone,
- even ceramic tiles with joints shallower than 2 mm and narrower than 4 mm.
The existing floor must be flat, dry, clean, stable and permanently bonded to the subfloor. In the case of tiles, the manufacturer recommends smoothing them with a cement leveling mortar that will fill the joints. Installation is only permitted inside buildings.
Integrated underlay and acoustics in a multi-family building
In apartments in blocks of flats and tenement houses, the sound of footsteps transmitted through the ceiling can be one of the main sources of nuisance for neighbors. Hard floors without a damping layer transmit these sounds more clearly than carpets. The integrated underlay reduces this effect without adding additional layers: in VinCore floors, the ΔLw value is 19 dB.
Underlay and the load on the floor and furniture
The underlay works under every piece of furniture and with every step. Compressive strength (CS ≥ 10 kPa) and compressive creep resistance (CC ≥ 2 kPa) determine how well the underlay withstands both momentary pressure and long-term loads, for example under a wardrobe or shelf. The stability of click locks depends on these parameters.
The VinCore instruction also defines the load limits of the floating floor. It is not recommended to place or mount objects weighing more than 300 kg (with equal load) directly on the floor. Heavy furniture and kitchen units are mounted directly on the floor, in holes cut in the floor, maintaining expansion joints. It is worth using felt pads under the legs of other furniture.
Installation of panels with integrated underlay step by step
Panels with an integrated backing are placed directly on the prepared substrate, which shortens the installation by one stage. The remaining steps are the same as for any click floating floor:
- Acclimatization - the panels should be moved to the installation room at least 24 hours in advance and stored flat at a temperature of 18-27°C and air humidity of 30-50%.
- Preparation of the substrate - checking the evenness, humidity and stability, and, if necessary, leveling with a self-leveling compound.
- Vapor barrier foil - install the foil if there is a risk of moisture from the substrate.
- Installation of panels - with a 6 mm gap at the walls, held with spacers, and shifting the joints in adjacent rows by at least 30 cm.
- Expansion joints - around permanent elements and, for areas over 200 m² or over 20 m long, 8 mm gaps dividing the floor.
Integrated underlay and floor height
The total thickness of VinCore panels already includes the underlay: it is 5 mm in the WOOD and HERRINGBONE collections and 6 mm in the WOOD+ and HERRINGBONE+ collections. For panels without primer, the thickness of a separate layer must be added to the panel thickness. This is important during renovation, when the new floor must fit under the door leaf or be flush with the floor in the adjacent room.
If collections of different thicknesses are combined in the apartment, for example WOOD in the bedroom and HERRINGBONE+ in the living room, the height difference is 1 mm. The easiest way to avoid it is to choose collections from the same version. In thresholds between rooms of different shapes and sizes, the instructions recommend expansion joints anyway.
How to check if the panels have an integrated backing?
Information about the primer is included in the product's technical data sheet. In the case of VinCore, the "Primer" item includes integrated IXPE foam along with the EN 826 and EN 1606 standards. On the product cards on the vincore.pl website, the integrated primer is listed among the features of each decor. The backing can also be seen when you turn the panel over: it is permanently connected to its bottom.
The most common mistakes related to foundation
- Laying additional foam or mat under panels with integrated underlay.
- Installation on a carpet or other soft surface, which is prohibited by the instructions.
- Treating the underlay as a way to address unevenness instead of leveling the subfloor.
- Omitting the vapor barrier foil when there is a risk of moisture from the substrate.
- Installation on an insufficiently dry screed - with humidity above the permissible values.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a primer under vinyl planks?
It depends on the panels. The underlay recommended by the manufacturer is placed under the panels without underlayment. VinCore panels have an integrated IXPE foam backing, so no additional backing is used.
Which underlay should I choose for vinyl planks with a hard core?
Preferably one selected by the panel manufacturer. In the case of VinCore, it is factory-integrated IXPE foam with parameters compliant with EN 826 and EN 1606.
Do panels with integrated underlay silence footsteps?
Yes. VinCore floors have an impact sound insulation rating of ΔLw 19 dB according to EN ISO 717-2.
Is a vapor barrier foil the same as an underlay?
NO. The foil does not muffle sounds or absorb footsteps. Its task is to protect against moisture from the substrate, which is why the instructions recommend it when there is a risk of moisture.
Will the underlay even out uneven floors?
NO. The substrate must meet a tolerance of 2 mm per 1 m and 1 mm per 20 cm. Larger unevenness should be removed before installation.
Summary
Choosing an underlay for vinyl planks is simple if the panels have an integrated underlay. Key conclusions:
- VinCore panels have a factory-integrated IXPE foam backing that reduces footfall noise by 19 dB,
- no additional underlay is used, and installation on soft surfaces is prohibited,
- if there is a risk of moisture from the substrate, a vapor barrier foil is used,
- the primer does not replace leveling and drying the substrate,
- The thermal resistance given for VinCore floors takes into account the underlay, which simplifies the selection of flooring for underfloor heating.
The full offer of VinCore vinyl floors is available on the brand's website, and the catalog, installation instructions and warranty cards are available in the Downloads tab. You can check the sales points in the Find a store search engine.
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