Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Laminate DIRECTLY on Kitchen Vinyl OK ???

I have already purchased my laminate flooring for my kitchen, which currently has a vinyl flooring (in good shape) glued on top of a 1/4" Luon Plywood.

I have done some research and found I DON'T want to remove the Luon, as it is typically affixed to the subfloor with a Ba-Jillon nails, so it seems smart to place the Laminate directly on the existing Vinyl.

MY MAIN QUESTION:
However, I'm wondering if I can safely omit the step of laying down a foam underlayment, and place the Laminate DIRECTLY onto the existing Vinyl.

BACKGROUND:
About a year ago, I put down a laminate flooring in my Living room and Dining room, and all went well. (I used the conventional foam underlayment placed on the wood subfloor.)

However, I feel that this laminate flooring in my Living/Dining room feels just a bit on the "soft" and "cushy" side as I walk on it, this effect undoubtedly due to the soft foam cushion. I recognize I needed to lay down the foam underlayment in these rooms, as the subfloor is very hard, and not entirely flat. I understand the foam underlayment "smooths out" the uneven surface of the subfloor, and acts as a cushion which probably prevents the laminate from squeaking.

KITCHEN with VINYL:
The way I see it is the existing Vinyl would act as a "soft underlayment" already installed. It is already very flat, and has a little bit of cushion built in for the laminate.

However, I can't find a consensus on whether my plan is acceptable, or if I should lay down a foam underlayment on top of my current Vinyl.

Please advise.

THANKS !!!!

No, you need the under cushion. It doesn't have to be the moisture barrier, 2-n-1, which is more expensive. You have a moisture barrier, in the vinyl.

Perry,

Thank you very much for your advice. I will purchase underlayment prior to starting this job.

A few questions:

1.) WHY do I need the underlayment? Wouldn't the vinyl itself serve as a suitable underlayment?

If not, why? Is it not soft enough?

2.) Would purchase of that more expensive 3 in 1 underlayment give me a higher firmness to the floor, since the more expensive 3 in 1 underlayment itself tends to be firmer?

Please advise !!

LOL!! The reason your other successful installation feels soft, cushy and flexing, is because the substrate is not as flat as the manufacturer requires. It is not the undercushion, making it cushy.

Lets put it this way. 1/8" in a 6' radius. The warranty on your laminate flooring is void, if this specification is not met and the flooring installed over an unprepared substrate.

Grind off the high's and fill in the lows.

Thanks Perry,

I guess I didn't provide enough information in my last post....

The laminate floor in my other room feels soft and cushy BY COMPARISON to the solid wood floor that it is adjacent to that room in the hallway. (That hallway wood floor is nailed down to the wood subfloor.) Otherwise, the previous room feels firm and typical of that of laminate flooring, but not as frim as solid wood floors.

Note: I was very careful to make sure the subfloor was flat prior to installation, using a 4 foot level to verify flatness, and it wasn't difficult at all, since my home was built only 9 years ago, and the subfloor was in extremely good condition.

Me and my wife both prefer the "rock solid" feel of the solid wood flooring in our hallway, and in trying to replicate the feel in our kitchen, I was wondering how selection (or lack thereof) of underlayment could get us there.

Could you please answer questions #1 and #2 of my previous post??

Thank you much !!!

1.) It needs the cushion to make up for the 1/8 in required in flatness specs.

2.) No.

Perry,

Thank you very much for your direction and guidance !!!

Sincerely

--Starrs