How do you prepare a subfloor for vinyl plank flooring?

Can you install vinyl plank flooring over subfloor?

Can I install vinyl flooring over wood, plywood, particleboard or chipboard? You can install vinyl over wood floors if you put a plywood subfloor on top of it. Do not install glue down or peel and stick products over particleboard, chipboard or any form of embossed floor.

Should I seal my subfloor before installing vinyl plank flooring?

Subfloor sealing is not required. It is not even recommended, but if bonding is a concern, dont seal the subfloor. Instead, use some clear-set thin-spread vinyl tile adhesive to aid the tile in bonding to the subfloor.

What kind of subfloor do I use for vinyl planks?

Vinyl floors under 4mm should be installed right over the subfloor. If you have any areas on a concrete subfloor with moisture concerns, it is recommended to use a vapor barrier underlayment that will not add any cushion to the planks.

How smooth should subfloor be for vinyl planks?

Subfloors must: Not slope more than ½ inch per 6 feet (25 mm per 1.8 m) Be structurally sound.

How To Prep Your Sub floor For Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Do I need a vapor barrier between subfloor and underlayment?

It is rolled out between the actual laminate flooring planks and the subfloor. Very often, particularly in a below-grade installation on a concrete basement floor, a vapor barrier is recommended in addition to the underlayment. That vapor barrier would go between the subfloor and the underlayment.

Do you need a vapor barrier under vinyl?

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 I need moisture barrier on wood subfloor?

Do I need a vapor barrier for hardwood floors?" The answer is YES! Moisture can destroy hardwood flooring. It causes cupping, warping, and even mildew if not treated. You must install a moisture barrier to protect your flooring from water wicking up from below.

Do you need to put plywood under vinyl plank 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.

How thick should subfloor be for vinyl planks?

When you install your vinyl on a wood subfloor, the top plywood should be a minimum of 1/4″ thick. For most subfloors, you will need to add an extra layer of wood. To do this, measure and cut the plywood to fit your room.

How level should a floor be for 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'. Level means that a floor doesn't slope in any direction. From one end of the room to the other, there is no pitch.

Do you have to put underlayment under vinyl plank flooring?

The only time we suggest underlayment under vinyl tile or plank flooring is if want to reduce the impact sound or sound transmission in your room. The additional underlayment under the floor will help to reduce the sound.

What are the problems with vinyl plank flooring?

Problems include crumpling at the edges, as the adhesive has loosened, or, as in case of LVT, problems with abatement chemicals which can react adversely with these flooring materials. If you are installing click-lock vinyl planks, uneven substrate can lead to lifting of the flooring's edges and joints.

How thick should underlayment be for vinyl 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.

How do you prevent mold on vinyl plank flooring?

Consider a Moisture Barrier

One of the main ways to prevent your vinyl plank flooring from growing any mold is by considering a moisture barrier.

Should I put tar paper under subfloor?

Foam, felt and rubber are the best choices for laminate underlayment. Do not select tar paper to go under laminate or vinyl flooring, because the odor can penetrate the air and the fumes can be toxic, according to Uooz.

Do I need 2 layers of subfloor?

That's the usual approach. Almost no one puts down double-thick subfloor in residential applications (for cost and handling reasons), and both layers need to be fastened to joists. Only thin underlayment can be fastened just to the subfloor.

Will vinyl stick to plywood?

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 do you fill subfloor gaps?

An effective strategy for filling large gaps is to mix patching compound to a stiff, mortar-like consistency, trowel it into the plywood subfloor gaps and wait for it to stiffen before troweling it smooth. Some sanding may be needed when it sets completely.

Can vinyl plank flooring be installed over OSB?

Yes, provided it meets the specifications required for subfloor preparation. Bear in mind that plywood and OSB substrates tend to get 'roughed up' during construction, and any imperfections in the surface will eventually telegraph through to the surface of the floor.