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?

The answer is no—at least, not an additional one. 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. In fact, adding additional sound suppression underlayment or padding could void the LifeProof Limited Warranty.

That’s good news if you’re concerned about sound absorption, but there’s a catch: LifeProof doesn’t provide sound ratings for the 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.

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 a Delta IIC rating of 28. This rating measures the improvement in sound reduction—basically, the higher the number, the better the soundproofing.

However, remember that using QuietWalk under LifeProof flooring will void the LifeProof warranty. But QuietWalk comes with its own lifetime warranty for peace of mind.

What About a Vapor Barrier?

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

Our MoistureBlock 6-mil vapor barrier is specifically designed for this purpose. For additional sound reduction and insulating value, our QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl underlayment is a great option, combining sound absorption and vapor barrier protection in one.

Conclusion: We recommend to at-least install a 6-mil vapor barrier underneath. Our MoistureBlock 6 mil vapor barrier is designed specially to block moisture from reaching your floor. If you are looking for additional sound reduction benefits, insulating value and built-in vapor barrier, we recommend the QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl underlayment has 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!