QA

Question: How To Install Lifeproof Flooring

Can LifeProof flooring be installed over concrete?

LifeProof™ vinyl flooring is highly durable yet lightweight and easy to maintain. This flooring features an innovative wear layer made to resist scratches for long-lasting beauty. LifeProof vinyl flooring can be installed over existing wood floor, a concrete subfloor or existing vinyl flooring planks.

Can LifeProof flooring be installed on uneven floor?

In fact, vinyl flooring works great, even on uneven surfaces. You can install a vinyl plank over a slightly uneven floor. However, for vinyl flooring installation, you need to ensure that your subfloor is clean and level. This may involve the use of a sanding or self-leveling compound.

Does LifeProof vinyl flooring expand and contract?

LifeProof Vinyl Plank is a floating floor and should be allowed to expand and contract freely. It must not be glued, nailed, or fastened to the subfloor in any way. LifeProof Vinyl Plank can be installed under toilets; leave proper expansion space around the flange and use a premium waterproof 100% silicone caulk.

Can you glue down LifeProof flooring?

LifeProof™ is a floating floor and should be allowed to expand and contract freely. It must not be glued, nailed, or fastened to the subfloor in any way. LifeProof™ is a waterproof floating floor, but it should not be used to seal an existing floor from moisture.

Do I need spacers for vinyl flooring?

Most vinyl plank flooring kits come with innocuous looking plastic spacers. The instructions recommend the use of spacers but I don’t think they properly communicate the necessity of their use. The spacers are used to fill the gap between the baseboards (which should be removed) and your newly laid floor.

Does floor have to be perfectly level for vinyl plank flooring?

How Level Do Floors Need To Be Before You Install Vinyl Plank Flooring? If you’re installing vinyl planks on top of a concrete floor, the standard tolerance required is for the floor to be level to 3/16” within a 10′ radius. It also can’t have a dip of ⅛” within 2′.

What are the problems with vinyl plank flooring?

Problems related to vinyl plank flooring include being prone to discoloration, stains, scratches, peeling, cracking, and crumbling at the edges. There are also certain installation-related failures that you need to watch out for. These include curling, warping, peaking, and mold and mildew.

How do you level a floor before installing vinyl plank flooring?

First, clean the area by sweeping or vacuuming it. Next, dampen the area by using a wet sponge to help prevent the material from drying too quickly. Then, pour the self-leveler into the low points. You’ll need to use a metal trowel to make sure that the hole is filled before gravity levels it out.

Do you need to leave a gap with vinyl plank flooring?

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. Glue-down vinyl planks have their benefits as well.

Can you work backwards with Lifeproof flooring?

Vinyl plank flooring was designed to install in one direction but it is still possible to install it backward. When doing so, you either have to modify the tongue and groove or be prepared to work slowly and perhaps have some waste.

How much gap do you need for vinyl plank flooring?

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. This will tell you how many rows of planks you need. Before you start laying the floor, keep in mind: the first and last row should be at least 2” wide.

Where do you start when installing vinyl plank flooring?

When learning how to install vinyl plank flooring with a glue down method, remember to start in the center of the room, rather than in the corners. Find the center of the room, then using your chalk and straightedge, strike a line.

Which direction to install vinyl plank flooring?

The vinyl plank flooring boards should lay parallel to the longest run of the room. For instance, if the space is 5-feet-by-8-feet, the boards should run along the 8-foot wall. This layout will look best. Start on the left side of the room and work right.

Do you have to cut the tongue of the first row of vinyl plank flooring?

Place the first plank with the tongue side towards the wall, being sure to allow 1/8″ for expansion. We recommend cutting off the tongue on this first row to avoid any problem with the expansion gap. If it is too short, cut a new plank in half and use one half to start the second row.

Does LifeProof vinyl flooring scratch easily?

Compared to Hardwood, LifeProof Flooring’s Care and Maintenance Requirements are Minimal. On the surface (no pun intended), LifeProof vinyl is a scratch-resistant flooring choice. Like all LVP, it’s great for mudroom flooring or anywhere that might get wet or dirty. And it doesn’t require any special maintenance.

How hard is it to install vinyl plank flooring?

Of all the do-it-yourself floor coverings, vinyl plank flooring (also known as luxury vinyl) is one of the simplest to install. It is easy to cut, requires no bonding to the subfloor, and snaps together edge-to-edge and end-to-end.