But, just like with any other permanent product, it's imperative that the existing floor is clean and dry, in excellent condition, and most important, level.
You can install vinyl on many types of subfloor, including concrete and wood. But that floor must be flat for your installation to be a success. An uneven subfloor can lead to potential problems, such as planks having varying heights that will make the flooring unstable and wear down more quickly.
It is absolutely essential that the subfloor is completely level. The preparation of the subfloor depends on what type of vinyl you are installing. Make sure the subfloor is completely flat. Any unevenness of more than 0.2 mm over a length of 20 cm must be levelled out.
The subfloor surface must be smooth, flat, dry, clean and solid. Carpet staples or adhesive residue must be removed to ensure proper installation. Subfloor should be flat within a tolerance of 1/8” over a span of 4 feet. Any unevenness over 1/8” must be sanded down or filled with a floor leveler.
The main reason for this is the lack of space left for expansion and contraction during installation. This can be easily remedied by trimming the planks or tiles along the wall or removing some of the mouldings to create more space.
Leaving the vinyl plank on the floor for the recommended 48 hours in places you intend to install them allows the planks to unify with the room temperatures and humidity levels.
If the floor is less than 50 ft in length or width, leave at least a ¼-inch expansion gap around the entire perimeter. If the floor is between 50–85-ft, increase the expansion gap to ½-inch around the entire perimeter.
Because of vinyl flooring's climate sensitivity, be sure to leave about a ¼-inch expansion gap around the perimeter of your floor. This way if the flooring expands it will have the space to do so and it won't warp or buckle in the middle.
A good rule of thumb is to stick with two or, at the most, three types of floors for your whole house. For example, you could choose a type of large tile for high-traffic, high-spill areas like the kitchen, foyer and dining room. Then you could use smaller tile in the bathrooms.
An underlayment can be beneficial for any type of flooring, including luxury vinyl plank flooring. It can improve sound absorption, increase comfort underfoot, and prevent potential problems. An underlayment can be installed on any type of subfloor, including concrete or wood.
Underlayment isn't a necessity, but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product. If the concrete is uneven, you will have to level it out. Without being level, your flooring won't have the right conditions to form to.
Most manufacturers recommend that the floor be flat to within 3/16” in a 10 ft. radius. These measurements are consistent with most other types of floor coverings. On floating floors, vertical movement needs to be kept to a minimum.
One of the main causes of the rippling of vinyl flooring is the expansion and contraction of its material. If the material becomes warmer, it causes slight expansion resulting in the flooring buckling. In colder climates, the opposite happens and the flooring contracts, causing gaps between the tiles or planks.
Underlayment can help smooth things out, though, but the type you choose will vary depending on your specific reasoning for wanting an even subfloor. That can make choosing the right one for you rather tricky, so here's a quick guide that should lend a helping hand in getting the best underlayment for uneven subfloors.
Yes, provided it meets the specifications required for subfloor preparation.
If a new luxury vinyl floor floats above the subfloor because of its click and lock design, it can be walked on as soon as the installers leave. Tiles or planks that are glued down, however, need time to set. This process takes at least 48 hours.
If the proper expansion gap is not left during installation, and the planks on the sides push up against the wall, the pressure will cause planks elsewhere in the room to buckle. Buckling floors are repairable, however, they are a major inconvenience and can be tricky.
In short, yes. It's a misnomer that Luxury Vinyl Planks do not need a moisture barrier. If you are putting this type of flooring over your concrete and the contractor does NOT do a moisture, calcium chloride or RH test on your concrete, then they must put a moisture barrier down.
Most LVT underlay is a high-density 1mm-1.5mm thick foam with a moisture barrier. It is also possible to use self-adhesive vinyl tile underlay, which is excellent for all LVT flooring due to its strong construction and anti-slip nature, often making installations easier and stronger.
Whether it's carpet, tile, laminate, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), or hardwood, our flooring makes a statement, so doing it right is important. But when is the best time to install new flooring? The fall months are the ideal time!
Firstly, it can be difficult to install and may require professional help. Secondly, vinyl plank flooring is not as durable as other types of flooring such as hardwood or tile. It is also prone to scratching and denting from heavy furniture or objects being dragged across the surface.