Can vinyl flooring be laid over plywood?

Author: Deonte Dicki  |  Last update: Sunday, November 9, 2025

Vinyl flooring can go over a plywood subfloor without a vinyl flooring underlayment as long as the substrate is sturdy, smooth, and flat. If your plywood subfloor is in poor condition, you may need a thin plywood underlayment to smooth the surface out.

Do I need underlayment for vinyl sheet flooring on plywood?

You don't need underlayment for sheet vinyl, but it can help to smooth out the imperfections.

How to attach vinyl flooring to plywood?

Glue down vinyl plank flooring adheres to the subfloor using either one of two types of adhesives: hard-set or pressure-sensitive adhesives. Hard-set adhesive is spread along the subfloor, and then the vinyl planks are laid down on top.

Does vinyl stick to plywood?

Wood is not the best choice for Vinyl

Actually unsealed wood, plywood and even painted plywood are not good substrates for vinyl. Vinyl is an adhesive backed film that is expected to last for years outdoors in all kinds of weather. To achieve that longevity, the adhesive must have a firm bond with the substrate.

How thick should plywood be under vinyl?

Cover the floor area with either a 4mm or 6mm plywood - the thickness selected should be determined by the quality of the surface being covered. Ply should be of suitable quality, eg SP101. Wood should be fixed using screws, twisted shank or ring shank nails, serrated or divergent staples.

How To Prep Wood Subfloor for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring for Beginners. Fix High and Low Spots!

How do you prepare plywood subfloor for vinyl plank flooring?

Before installing the LVP, it's important to make sure that the subfloor is level and dry. Use a self-levelling smoothing compound to smooth them out. 2-3mm of smoothing compound will dry to walk on within 2 hours however will need at least 24 hours to dry sufficiently for the LVP to be adhered to it.

Do you need a moisture barrier under vinyl flooring?

Typically, moisture barriers are needed when vinyl flooring is installed on top of a concrete subfloor or crawl space. Please refer to the manufacturer guidelines, installation instructions, and warranty information for more details.

What is the best adhesive for vinyl to plywood?

Acrylic-based adhesives are very efficient and strong when it comes to gluing vinyl floors. Acrylic-based adhesives are heat-resistant, can handle fluctuations in temperature and do not loosen up due to moisture.

How do I make sure vinyl stays on wood?

How to hack your wood to make your vinyl stick
  1. It starts with lots of sanding. The good news is that vinyl sticks best to the same ultra-smooth surface you're typically going for anyway. ...
  2. Coat, sand. ...
  3. Let your project dry for a full 48-72 hours after your final coat of finish. ...
  4. Apply your smart vinyl. ...
  5. Seal it. ...
  6. Cure it.

Can you sand down vinyl flooring?

So, how do you repair scratched, scuffed, or stained LVP flooring? The first step is to clean the affected area with a mild soap and warm water. Once the area is clean, you will need to sand it down with fine-grit sandpaper until the surface is smooth.

What kind of plywood do you use for vinyl flooring?

Plywood underlayment is a thin (ours is 5 mm) plywood. Unlike the subfloor, which is full of knots and bumps and is pretty rough, plywood underlayment is totally smooth and virtually free of imperfections. It's commonly used under vinyl or linoleum flooring.

What should I put down before laying vinyl flooring?

Get some 1/8" Hardboard, Lauan or birch plywood (one side smooth) and lay it down without gaps over the sub floor. At this thickness, you can staple it down. smooth any edges/fill any gaps. Lay your vinyl.

Can LVP be installed over plywood?

There are many surfaces LVP flooring can be installed over. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) can be installed over concrete, wood, tile, and more! Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring on the market today.

How to lay vinyl on plywood floor?

How to lay vinyl flooring on plywood – step by step
  1. Simply cut your plywood sheets to fit the size and shape of your room and lay them in place, secured with small tack nails.
  2. Then take your roll of vinyl or vinyl planks and begin laying from one corner, allowing for enough to go under skirting boards if necessary.

What vinyl flooring does not require underlayment?

Underlayment is not required if the vinyl flooring will be laid over a cushion-backed vinyl floor or a tile floor below grade. In all other applications, however, you should use one, such as covering existing hardwood floors, vinyl flooring without cushion, and concrete floors.

Should sheet vinyl flooring be glued down?

Your new vinyl floor will require an adhesive. A full-bond floor will have adhesive applied to the entire surface area. A perimeter-bond floor will need to be secured only around the edges of the room. Match the proper adhesive to your type of floor.

Why is my vinyl peeling off wood?

Yes, vinyl can stick to stained wood. However, over time, the stain of the wood might leave an oily residue under the vinyl which can make it lift and peel off. To address this problem, you need to seal the vinyl.

Can you put vinyl directly on wood?

Yes, definitely wood and vinyl are a good crafting match. Whatever type of wood you want to use, there is a suitable vinyl that you can use to decorate it. Vinyl can certainly adhere to any wooden surface. You can make both indoor and outdoor signs with vinyl and wood.

Why won't my permanent vinyl stick to wood?

You need to add some sort of coating or primer that the vinyl can grip to. We've had huge success using Polycrylic, wood stain or acrylic paint, all of which you can find at your favorite craft store.

How do you stick vinyl to plywood?

Make sure you've cleaned all the dirt and debris off the plywood. Apply one coat of latex primer, allow to dry, then peel and stick the tiles. That's the cheapest way I know of to do it and have the tiles stick.

What is the best underlayment for vinyl plank flooring on plywood?

The choice of underlayment for your vinyl plank flooring ultimately depends on your specific needs and the conditions of your space. However, experts often recommend foam or felt underlayment for their sound reduction, protection from moisture, and insulation properties.

Do you need a vapor barrier for vinyl plank flooring on plywood subfloor?

Plywood Subfloor: With plywood, an added moisture barrier isn't necessary, but you will want one that offers more comfort and reduces sound noise.

What happens if you don t put underlayment under vinyl flooring?

When you have a bump or dip in your subfloor, the uneven surface can cause vinyl planks click-lock-systems to become uneven. This will cause creaking or “popping” every time you walk over the floor. An underlayment can help fill in subfloor imperfections and leave your flooring a smooth surface to lay on.

Is felt or foam backed vinyl better?

Choosing between felt or foam-backed vinyl flooring ultimately comes down to personal preferences, alongside the specific needs of the space where it will be installed. Felt-backed vinyl offers an enhanced underfoot experience that's warm, comfortable, and forgiving of minor subfloor irregularities.

What voids the warranty on vinyl plank flooring?

Accidents, abuse or misuse; • Extreme heat or cold; • Scratching, impact or cutting; • Improper workmanship or installation not in accordance with Dezign North America installation instructions; • Improper maintenance; • Improper fabrication; • Freight damage; • Damages by acts of God; • Planks coming apart at the ...

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