EWIFOAM® UNDERLAY WITH THE BLUE ANGEL ECO-LABEL!

The Professional Guide – How to Choose Impact Soundproofing for Vinyl Flooring?

Another important parameter that should be considered when choosing an underlay is sound insulation. We have two types of acoustic interference – footfall noise emission (RWS) and impact noise reduction (IS). With vinyl flooring, the manufacturers only offer impact sound reduction. This is due to the fact that the sound of footsteps is given as a percentage of how much a certain material protects us from sound better than the control product - a PE foam pad. PE foam is absolutely not suitable for vinyl flooring, so it makes no sense to specify this parameter for vinyl underlays. The Engineered Flooring Manufacturers Association (MMFA) does not recommend the RWS test for vinyl underlays and there is no specific research standard. It should also be emphasized that footfall noise is a problem that laminate floors in particular face. With vinyl floors, there is practically no such problem, the floor itself is so quiet that such a test is not required. Impact sounds, on the other hand, are those that penetrate the ceiling and are heard in the room below the floor. It is not possible to completely eliminate floor noise, but it can be significantly reduced by choosing the right underlay. The level of impact noise (IS) reduction in terms of penetration through the floor system and ceiling is specified by manufacturers in decibels. The higher the value, the better the product protects us from the annoying sound of footsteps in the room above us. The best pads on the market have an IS of around 20dB. The degree of noise reduction is measured using specially developed test methods (e.g. method EN 16205).

When we finish a commercial object, the fire resistance class will be an extremely important parameter for us. When testing and determining the fire resistance of a flooring system, the weakest link in the system is taken into account. Vinyl floors usually have the BFL fire rating - and are therefore completely non-combustible. Polyurethane mineral underlays are the underlays that can boast of this class. For commercial investments we should look for impact sound insulation for the BFL S1 class. Other pads are EFL certified - so they don't burn spontaneously but can sustain a fire.

Low thermal resistance underlay - PUM ideal for vinyl floors

Along with ceramic tiles, vinyl flooring is the most frequently chosen floor covering when we have underfloor heating at home. These relatively thin planks conduct heat perfectly and are therefore recommended for underfloor heating. However, we should keep in mind that when installing vinyl flooring with a click system, its thermal conductivity depends not only on the parameters of the planks themselves, but also on the underlay that we choose for them. Only the best underlay guarantees the comfort of underfloor heating. A good underlay is a guarantee of a calm, safe and effective floor in terms of underfloor heating. Therefore, we should not skimp on the floor underlay. Underlays for underfloor heating are characterized by a very low coefficient of thermal resistance. This means that we can save a lot of money by heating the house.

The underlay depends on whether the vinyl floor is as good as the manufacturer promises. A good underlay for vinyl flooring can cost up to 10 EUR per square meter. The question arises whether it is worth investing so much. PUM (polyurethane mineral) underlays have recently become available on the market. They are more resistant to pressure (unrolled, they are heavy), thanks to which they protect the floor, but above all thanks to a very low thermal resistance index, they are ideal for underfloor heating.

The parameter we are interested in in this case is R – thermal resistance. If we have installed underfloor heating, we should reach for a product dedicated to such a solution. PUM (polyurethane mineral) underlays are ideal for underfloor heating. The best of them have a thermal resistance of R-0.006 m2 K / W. Choosing a floor underlay is very important. Its properties not only determine the longevity of our floor, but also thermal and acoustic comfort.

Which underlay for vinyl floor?

As a rule, we should use technical data as a guide when selecting the underlay. If their interpretation is difficult for us, it would be best to choose a product from a good manufacturer. The European brand Ewifoam guarantees that the underlay meets the standards indicated on the packaging. One should be very careful with the products from Asia, since they are often not tested and their properties are only declarative and have little to do with reality. Vinyl planks are thin products with precision milled locking system. Therefore, they need special underlay, which not only provides acoustic comfort, but also increases the efficiency of underfloor heating and effectively protects the locking system of vinyl planks. A very good choice for vinyl planks is PUM (polyurethane with minerals) underlays. They can be used for underfloor heating, which, thanks to a very low coefficient of thermal resistance, realistically reduces the costs associated with heating the house.

Such a purchase is returned to us after a few heating seasons, apart from the faster heating time of the room. For vinyl floors, we should look for special underlay, which is often also labeled as vinyl.

The offer of recognized manufacturers includes underlays with the 3-in-1 system (underlay, vapor barrier, tape). These three elements are integrated, making the assembly of the underlay child's play.

The PUM underlay has recently become available, which thanks to its above-average hardness (700 kPa) can be installed directly on old tiles on a new floor, on tiles with joints of standard width. PUM underlay is the most resistant to pressure. It is an underlay specifically dedicated to the latest generation of vinyl floors – SPC / RIGID. We can find such underlay sound insulation under the brand name Vinclic Super Solid.

Some underlays are marked "Antislip". This means that the underlay is equipped with a thin layer of glue, the task of which is to provide additional support for the stability of the flooring system by preventing the planks from sliding on the underlay surface. It is up to the manufacturer of the vinyl flooring we buy to decide whether or not such an underlay is necessary in our case. Therefore, before purchasing an underlay, we should check the manufacturer's recommendations for our decking.

And if ecology is important to us, we choose the documents with the Blue Angel label. All Ewifoam underlays have received this most important and oldest certificate for world ecology. When qualifying products, the following points are evaluated: saving raw materials, reducing pollution, reducing noise, eliminating or reducing the amount of waste and the possibility of reuse. The Blue Angel is a signal that informs the consumer that a certain product is safer than other products of the same type. Underlays with the Blue Angel label have an extremely low emission value, which ensures a healthy indoor climate.

Which underlay for vinyl floors should you avoid?

First, those whose producers are unknown. The market is flooded with underlays imported from China, the properties of which are absolutely non-standard. They don't have technical data sheets for products and using them can not only damage our floorboards but also seriously harm us legally. In addition, the manufacturer's warranty does not protect us in the event of damage to the floor. Therefore, we should choose stocks from well-known, reputable European brands.

Secondly, you should definitely avoid products that offer a plank with an integrated underlay and underlays made of PE foam. The 2in1 floorboards with glued impact sound insulation that appear on the market only appear to be comfortable. The simple assembly appeals to us. In fact, we get a medium quality vinyl plank and a very poor backing. Planks with an integrated underlay also do not offer sufficient stability for the entire floor. The underlay does not protect the most sensitive elements of the planks, i. H. The locking system - most of the time they just aren't there. The underlay transmits the force and distributes it over a larger surface. If the underlay glued under the planks does not transmit any force, then all the loads are compounded and damaging the floor is much easier. The underlays offered, which are integrated into the floorboards, are of very poor quality.

Does the underlay have to be from the same brand as the vinyl floor?

When choosing flooring, we very often decide to buy an underlay from the same manufacturer. This is a shortcut that mostly sellers suggest to us. Sometimes manufacturers make the validity of the guarantee conditional on us using a sub-base and, for example, floor accessories from a supplier. However, it should be noted that it is not legally possible to exclude the guarantee due to the use of an underlay from another manufacturer. Of course, it must comply with the standards set by the vinyl floor manufacturer. It's usually worth choosing vinyl flooring from a company that also makes underlays. This means that a particular manufacturer specializes in manufacturing flooring systems and invests a great deal of time and energy in testing and improving their products. We should trust experts in specialized independent stores or compare the properties of the underlay ourselves and follow objective criteria when choosing.

Good underlay for vinyl flooring

A good underlay is just as important as the material it is made of. This element should not be underestimated just because it is invisible. Floor underlays do an excellent job, thanks to which we can not only enjoy a beautiful floor for many years, but also really reduce heating costs or enjoy the silence of the house. And how much does underlay cost? The cheapest underlay for vinyl floors that fulfills its role and is a kind of compromise between quality and cost costs around 5.79 to 6.99 EUR / m2 (e.g. (a underlay from Ewifoam)). The best products are the present polyurethane mineral underlays, e.g. B.Vinclic standard. We then have to take into account the costs of 6.99 – 9.99 EUR / m2, but we have an absolute guarantee of quality.

There are many good rootstocks and they can be made using different technologies. The most important thing is that the pad satisfies our needs.