Both luxury vinyl tile and vinyl plank flooring expand and contract when exposed to changes in weather, including temperatures. The expansion and contraction are only fractions of an inch, but this can make a difference.
The answer to this question is Yes. Although not often, vinyl plank flooring is known to expand or contract based on changes in its environment. Thankfully, there are ways of limiting and, in some cases, even preventing this expansion and contraction altogether.
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.
Your vinyl planks will be placed parallel to the focal wall or the longest wall in the room. Measure out the length and width of the room, and divide the width of the room by the width of the planks. Plan for ¼” gap along the walls to allow for expansion.
As heat rises vinyl flooring expands. But it isn't just the heat within the space but the direct sunlight that causes expansion. Too much expansion can cause the flooring to curl, peak, or buckle.
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.
Vinyl needs time to settle. We recommend waiting at least 24 hours before walking on your new floors.
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.
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.
If the vinyl comes from a hot climate to a chilly one, it will shrink, and gaps will occur. If it comes from a cold environment and goes to a hotter one, it will expand. The planks and tiles will crowd each other and cup to make room. Acclimating luxury vinyl flooring enables it to adjust to its new environment.
Moisture. If water seeps up under the flooring from an extremely moist concrete subfloor, the adhesive can be weakened, causing buckling in the floors. During installation, run a vapor barrier under the vinyl plank flooring to help prevent buckling from moisture.
No. Rigid vinyl planks like Sound-Tec, Studio 12, and Foundations float over minor subfloor imperfections. They mask slight subfloor unevenness. However, because of the precisely milled clip system, a flat substrate is recommended for support.
Hard-set adhesive is spread along the subfloor, then the vinyl planks are laid down on top. Pressure-sensitive adhesive is already on the bottom of the plank and bonds to the subfloor when the plank is pressed into place.
Vinyl flooring is excellent for cold areas because it does not expand or contract in extreme temperature changes. Compared to tile or hardwood, it warms up rather quickly, providing a more comfortable place for your cold feet to walk.
Loose Lay Vinyl Planks
These are designed to not react at all to standard indoor environmental changes. In fact, the installation relies on that. These are placed snug against each other, and snug against the walls. That's what keeps them in place.
If you are installing luxury vinyl planks in wet areas such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, or kitchens, installing a waterproof underlayment can give you extra peace of mind. If there should be a spill or a plumbing leak, you can be assured that the water will not penetrate into the subfloor and cause structural damage.
Where you are installing a glue down luxury vinyl flooring then the common practice and line of thought is that you DO NOT need to leave an expansion gap to the extent that you would a floating floor (see Camaro Loc below). Your installer may still need an expansion gap of 1-2mm covered by a suitable sealant.
The most important fact is that you can only remove and reinstall luxury vinyl flooring if you have utilized the floating floor installation method. Since these pieces only click together to install, they are just as easy to remove by taking the pieces apart in reverse.
The floor must first lay flat to stay flat. If Fiberglass Cushioned Vinyl is installed within the perimeter of the quarter round, fill in the exposed expansion gap with a permanent flexible silicone caulking.
Some manufacturers provide a click and lock structure, while others offer a glue in place method. How you install your luxury vinyl plank determines how quickly you can move your furniture back into place. If it's glued down, most manufacturers will suggest waiting 48 hours to allow the glue to dry thoroughly.
Floating systems are a flooring type that clicks together and doesn't require adhesive. Fortunately, with this type of flooring, there's no waiting period. Once the floors are installed, you can place your furniture immediately.
Never use an abrasive scrubbing tool on your floor. This can cause scratches and harm your flooring. Never use a beater bar when vacuuming. This can cause damage to the floor surface.
Manufacturing vinyl flooring requires the use of toxic chemicals, and after installation, vinyl floors have been known to emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Off-gassed VOCs can adversely affect health and an indoor environment, particularly without windows or ventilation, will lead to higher concentrations.