LifeProof Flooring: Does It Need Underlayment?

LifeProof flooring is one of the best-selling floors at Home Depot, and for good reason! It offers the beauty of hardwood with the durability of vinyl, and it even won Home Depot’s Innovation of the Year Award. But a common question always comes up: Does LifeProof flooring require underlayment?

It does come with a pre-attached pad. But, let’s dive into the details.

Underlayment and LifeProof Flooring

According to LifeProof’s installation instructions, the flooring comes with a pre-attached sound-mitigating pad, so there’s no need for extra underlayment. That’s good news if you’re concerned about sound absorption, but there’s a catch: LifeProof doesn’t provide sound ratings for the sound mitigating pre-attached pad. This could be a drawback if you live in a condo or multi-family home where reducing noise between rooms is important. In fact, they do specify a tested secondary underlayment (LifeProof Universal Underlayment) that they have tested and approved. However, all other types of underlayments require you to check with their technical department and their warranty policy.

For Multi-Family and Condo Living

If sound ratings matter to you, it’s worth noting that our QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl underlayment, designed specifically for luxury vinyl plank, achieves an industry leading Delta IIC rating of 28. This rating measures the improvement in sound reduction that underlayment itself provides to a sound number—basically, the higher the number, the better the soundproofing. There are a lot of information and mis-information on sound ratings and what they mean. Stay tuned for our other educational topics on the matter.

Regardless of sounds ratings, having a floor that isn’t so hollow sounding when walked across is generally important to consumers. While we want the look of wood flooring, we definitely want it to sound more solid underfoot like it as well. Adding a secondary underlayment beneath LifeProof flooring will help dampen and control this walking noise.

How does LifeProof’s secondary underlayment compare to QuietWalk LV?

They look very different side by side, but let’s dig into the details.

QuietWalk LV is 1.4 mm thick and made from dense recycled fibers and comes as a roll for easy of installation. LifeProof Universal Underlayment is 1.5mm thick, made from a non-recycled poly foam material that is a fold out design. It boasts guide lines for ease of cutting and measuring. However, the dense fiber design of QuietWalk LV rolls out flat and stays put during the installation and offers the plank a dense solid base to reside on, protecting the locking system and joints from daily traffic over the floor. QuietWalk LV does come with a built-in overlying lip and self sealing taping system on the roll to help with seamless full coverage subfloor moisture protection.

QuietWalk LV underlayment comes with its own lifetime warranty for peace of mind.

What About a Vapor Barrier?

LifeProof flooring installation instructions mention that a vapor barrier isn’t required. However, we recommend installing a 6-mil vapor barrier under any flooring especially over concrete subfloors to protect against moisture, chemicals, and mold growth. While this won’t safeguard against flooding, it will help prevent damage from everyday moisture and alkalis in the subfloor.

QuietWalk LV does come with a factory attached vapor barrier that offers moisture protection.

Our MoistureBlock 6-mil vapor barrier is specifically designed installation over concrete subfloors. For additional sound reduction and insulating value and overall comfort and durability, our QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl underlayment is a great option, combining sound absorption and vapor barrier protection in one.

Conclusion:

We recommend to install at-least install a 6-mil vapor barrier underneath LifeProof flooring, especially over concrete subfloors. Our MoistureBlock 6-mil vapor barrier is designed specially to block moisture from reaching your floor and meets the recommended suggested underlayment from the manufacturer. If you are looking for additional sound reduction benefits, insulating value and built-in vapor barrier, we recommend the QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl (LV) underlayment as it was designed for luxury vinyl plank and tile flooring.

Bonus Tip: Floor Heating

As you install your new floor, consider adding a cost-effective floor heating system. It’s a great way to enjoy those colder months while keeping your feet warm! QuietWarmth can be used under LifeProof flooring as well! It is affordable to add this to your project.