Table of Contents
5 Simple Steps to Prepare a Subfloor for Vinyl Flooring Step 1: Test the Floor for Moisture. Step 2: Repair Holes and Cracks. Step 3: Sand Down Bumpy Areas. Step 4: Clean the Subfloor. Step 5: Install Underlayment (Optional).
What do you put down before vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring is usually not installed directly over the subfloor in residential applications. In most cases 4-by-8-foot sheets of particle board or plywood must be installed in preparation for the vinyl floor install.
Can you put vinyl plank flooring 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.
How smooth should subfloor be for vinyl planks?
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′. Level means that a floor doesn’t slope in any direction.
How flat should a floor be for vinyl plank flooring?
SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS Subfloor must be clean, structurally sound/tight, and visibly dry. Floor must be flat to within a 3/16” in 10′ radius tolerance.
What underlayment should I use for vinyl plank flooring?
The rule of thumb is any vinyl over 4mm can have a vinyl specific underlayment. With thinner vinyl flooring construction, adding a foam underlayment can effect the locking system strength. Vinyl floors under 4mm should be installed right over the subfloor.
Do you put anything under vinyl plank flooring?
Vinyl planks require hard, thin underlay because the product itself is softer. Putting a soft product under vinyl plank will result in an unstable floor that is much more inclined to being damaged and even punctured or torn over time.
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.
Why is my vinyl floor bouncy?
Sometimes the main reason why bouncy floors occur is because of the boards themselves. If they are already bouncy because of severe water damage, replacing them might be the best option. Make sure to trim them a bit if they are placed along the walls to give them some space for expansion.
Do you install baseboards before or after vinyl plank flooring?
As a general rule, baseboard is installed after the floor is installed, which makes covering the vinyl planks easy. However, door casings and jambs are often installed before a floor, which means you need to undercut the jambs/casing.
Do you put floor down before trim?
Baseboards are often installed before flooring, although it depends on the type of flooring being used. It is necessary for carpeting to have the trim in place, allowing the edges to be tucked under and out of sight. However, for hardwood or laminate, it is easier to install the trim after.
Do you need a moisture barrier under vinyl plank flooring?
Meaning, if you’re going to install vinyl plank flooring over tile, vinyl flooring, and even hardwood. As with the plywood floor, there’s no need to worry about a moisture barrier; the underlayment should provide cushioning and sound-deadening benefits.
Do you need to level floor before vinyl plank flooring?
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. A flat and level floor is key so that the adjoining vinyl plank flooring don’t have varying heights.
Does vinyl flooring go under baseboard?
Installing vinyl plank flooring requires removing the baseboard and you need to leave some space between the baseboard and the flooring to allow for expansion. To fill this space, you can buy some quarter-round pieces in a complementary color.
Do you need Quarter round with vinyl plank flooring?
No you never need to use quarterround. I try to do all installs without using it.
Is underlayment necessary?
Underlayment is not optional. If your laminate planks don’t have it already attached, we recommend that you buy rolls of underlayment on which to install your laminate floor.
How thick is the underlayment for vinyl plank flooring?
Most vinyl underlayments are 1mm to 1.5mm thick. When dealing with a click lock vinyl of 4mm or thicker, an underlayment has several benefits: It can help smooth over minor subfloor imperfections. It will add extra cushion to the floor, creating a softer feel under foot.
What is the difference between subfloor and underlayment?
Basically, subfloors are a structural part of your home that provide strength and rigidity to your home’s flooring. Underlays, on the other hand, protect your floor covering from moisture, help soundproof your floor, and offer cushioning and comfort underfoot. You can think of your floor like a sandwich cookie.
How long before you can walk on a vinyl floor?
How Soon Can You Walk on Vinyl Flooring? After you’ve installed brand-new vinyl flooring, you should wait at least a day before walking on it because: The seams need to cure: The adhesive under your vinyl sheet, plank or tile flooring needs at least a day to acclimate to the floor underneath it after installation.
Does vinyl flooring need to be glued down?
As the name states – glue down vinyl flooring does require glue. Every plank needs to be glued down to the subfloor. This glue down vinyl flooring installation is best for places where the subfloor may not be perfectly even.
Can mold grow under vinyl plank flooring?
Although vinyl flooring is known to be waterproof, liquids can still seep through the grooves, edges, or unsealed seams and get trapped underneath the flooring, causing mold to grow.
