trouble down the line. Why so many conflicting answers? Leave a 3/8-inch gap along both walls to allow for expansion of the flooring. No? As for plates, any wood in direct contact with concrete or masonry that could be damp or cold should be rot-resistant, typically pressure treated but naturally rot resistant is ok too. A look at installing vinyl plank flooring when the concrete is uneven. The first In Virginia, this is going to be a huge issue. LifeProof flooring also states that no piece should be shorter than 8 inches, so if you want to start length-wise with a full plank, make sure you wont be stick at the end of the row with a plank under 8 inches. #default-btn-4:not(:hover) { Do this even if your room is a perfect rectangle. onto the subfloor. ): If youre aiming for a high-end finished basement room with the look and feel of real wood flooring, theres good news. Repair any holes or cracks. What is the best waterproof vinyl plank flooring? If you are going to use water at any point, make sure to allow the carpet to completely dry before you start your installation. Each Installing a vinyl tile or vinyl plank floor is easier than installing sheet vinyl, and any damage to the floor can be repaired easily, simply by replacing a tile or two. 2020 MP Global Products (All Rights Reserved), QuietWarmth Floor Heating for Laminate and Floating Floors, QuietWarmth Floor Heating for Tile Flooring, QuietWarmth Floor Heating for Existing Floors. This Vinyl Plank Flooring? Most types can be installed over concrete or over a subfloor. One drawback that some people notice is an unpleasant odor, but this usually dissipates over time. Although vinyl plank flooring is well-known to be waterproof, it does not mean that liquids can seep through the cracks, grooves, or edges and become trapped under the planks, allowing mold to grow underneath your floors. 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. back just a few hundred bucks, depending on the size of the area you A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part. weeks old. How to Replace Carpet With Vinyl Plank Flooring. I just opened a box and read the manufacturers instructions and in one section they mentioned not to install over engineered or hardwood glued to concrete. Concrete subfloors must be fully cured and should have minimum 6 mil (0.15mm) poly-film as a moisture barrier between the concrete subfloor and the flooring. If you install porcelain tile, you have the added expense of renting or buying a tile cutter and you'll have buy thinset and grout too. If you follow me on Instagram, you might already haven already figured out that we went with the LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring in Sterling OakfromHome Depot. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 100% LifeProof, 0% worries. To prevent this, fill low spots with a patch or self-leveling concrete. For the purpose of installing vinyl plank Calculate what you need (and then some). Yes, You Can! Install LifeProof vinyl flooring to refresh a room in the house with a floor that is long lasting and low maintenance. .btn-3d #default-btn-4:not(:hover) { Installing LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring Over Existing Vinyl YOUFLOOR Flooring Tips and Tricks 15.4K subscribers Subscribe 35K views 2 years ago LVP - Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring In this. In this case it sounds like he's good though. >>>>Begin quoted text Smaller cracks, less than 1/4 inch wide, can be repaired with a concrete caulk or liquid filler. The surface must also be as smooth and flat as possible. If the water is not cleaned immediately after spilling, water may remain in the cracks, crevices, and edges of the floor, causing mold to form underneath. This will tell you what the width of the final row of planks should be. And, of course, I have to buy all the quarter round, measure and cut it, attached it, fill nail holes and caulk between the quarter round and baseboard, and paint it. This is a big flooring job, 1,500 sq Ft, so while I want to do this right dont want to overdo it. Can you install vinyl plank flooring over cracked concrete? If there are cracks or rough-surfaced areas, these will have to be repaired before tile can be installed. waste any material, invite a friend over to help you. * Does LVP form an air barrier? * Is LVP waterproof, in that it would keep out liquid water? For your concrete slab to function as a subfloor, holes, cracks, and low spots need to be patched. should contain pieces that are much smaller than half a plank. Second, you may want an extra vapor barrier above the subfloor to reduce any risk of moisture. The sand adds texture, while the flakes add both texture and color. Any type of flooring may be used over properly repaired shrinkage cracks if the entire concrete surface of the pad is leveled and sealed. important thing is for your subfloor to be free of any debris. Vinyl Flooring Over Tile. When measuring the room length allow for a 1/4-inch gap at either end. The extra layer can even out any minor imperfections in the Copyright by Brittany Goldwyn, 2015-2022 | Trellis Framework by Mediavine, comprehensive review of 10 different vinyl plank flooring options, installing vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor. This is an important step in how to install LifeProof flooring. Underlayment between concrete slab and high quality LVP. and has some great tips for installing this LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring for beginners. Weve had it for a while! The answers I have gotten have varied. But before you go for this option, think about how youll maneuver that big roll into the basement, cut it to size, and fit it accurately between walls. When you have a lot of questions, or interconnected questions, it stretches the limits of what a web forum can provide. Heres How to Fix It, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. As vinyl is made of an impermeable material, it is essential that a water-resistant, vapor-resistant layer be installed prior to the flooring in order to protect it from moisture, which can cause warping and instability. guide on how to install vinyl plank flooring on concrete. Arguable, I'd say yes. Plastic sheet over concrete slab - what about mold? A general recommendation for most flooring is to add an extra 10% to your total square footage. I like carpet like Jonathan mentioned so I could add as a final layer synthetic area rugs. Is the concrete surface rough or uneven in areas? Create expansion gaps by inserting shims Next, check the moisture of new floorboards. Grind imperfections. If your subfloor is not perfect or has some slopes, you Then, use a nail punch to countersink the nails and fill the hole with matching wood filler. With our QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl underlayment (designed for luxury vinyl plank) achieving Delta IIC rating of 28 was achieved. Use a scrap piece of plank less than 6 inches wide. The piece of plank left over from the Home Depot coveted Innovation of the Year Award, How to Measure a Room for Flooring in 3 Easy Steps, Why You Should Put Underlayment Under Your Vinyl Plank Flooring, 5 Reasons Why You Should Put Underlayment Under Your Laminate Floor. Some approaches are tried, true and safe; others are definitely risky, and yet others are somewhere in between--somewhat risky, but maybe or likely fine. This was likely a lot of user error, but be prepared to roll through that 10% overage you brought home if youre a dunce like I was. A place where people can come to learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on their own. It floats over your existing floor and can be used to cover wood, a concrete subfloor or existing vinyl flooring planks. Want to check out some of the other DIYs in this space? Slab is virtually flat (had Home Depot come do a measurement, only a couple spots leveler could be helpful). If you're going to be installing vinyl over wood, you shouldn't have too many problems. Some. To trim a plank, use a straight edge and utility knife to score it. QuicPrep Universal Underlayment can be used as an additional underlayment under LifeProof floorng. ($4-$7/sq.ft. Both materials are available with different textured patterns, and in a limited range of colors. Undercutting the doorjambs and casing Sheet vinyl has another limitation as well: Roughness or irregularities in the basements concrete floor are likely to show through in the vinyl floor. as a guide for the proper height. Installing Carpet on Uneven Floor Carpet is comfortable and is warm in winter. first row should be used at the beginning of the second row. For more information, please see our Also, there is no need to leave expansion gaps or put in #default-btn-2:not(:hover) { The good news here is that youve got plenty of basement flooring options to consider. connect the end of a plank to the previous one first. Vinyl plank flooring is a great option for on top of radiant heating, especially if you need a flooring that is waterproof! installed with an underlayment, and some WPC vinyl plank floors come Purchase a transition strip of the same dimensions. Your email address will not be published. ft.): This basement flooring option offers great value for the money. Tip: Make sure each plank is aligned and is flush with one another as you go. I took breaks when my hands started to hurt (typically the hand gripping the tapping block) and wore work gloves most of the time. Then go along * Does LVP form a vapor barrier? important to take time and prepare well before you start assembling. Our MoistureBlock 6 mil vapor barrier is designed specially to block moisture from reaching your floor. The important thing is that the concrete is (DIY kits cost around $120 each): This 2-part coating can be applied much like paint, but it creates a thicker layer thats usually smoother, more durable and easier to keep clean. The literature lists solid hardwood, linoleum, terrazzo, ceramic tile and stone tile as floors it can be installed on. Should I be concerned? should be taken into account if you are planning to add a foam Joe, you will rarely if ever find full consensus on GBA's Q+A section. Heres a video: Buy theknee pads, people. Yes Install the first plank flush against the wall. plank flooring that you can find on the market. The gaps between the wall and the flooring should ft.) Installing a tile floor in all or part of your basement lets you have some fun with design, while still quickly covering up existing concrete floors. If you are a condo or multi-family, sound ratings do matter. Want more tips on installing these floors? Then I added another box for good measure. Ideally, the underlying surface should be as flat as possible. Nail quarter-round trim or other trim into the wall, not the floor. To be honest, I tackled this project by myself, but if Mike and I had been able to tackle it together, we probably could have knocked it out in a day. contraction and expansion of the house. No sound ratings are provided for the consumer which can be a downfall for condo, multi-family associations or homeowners who really want to deaden the sound from going room to room. Continue to snap boards into placeuntil thefloor is complete. If so, do you recommend any brands that I should buy or brands to avoid? Dips and cracks on the concrete slab should be corrected with self-leveling concrete. This isnt going to necessarily be a full tutorial for installing LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring because Home Depots instructions (both the ones that come with the flooring and the official installation video at the end of this post) do a great job. Powered by Mai Theme. No matter what type of basement flooring you choose, make sure to first fix any problems in the original concrete floor. According to the installation instructions, adding another underlayment such as QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl under LifeProof would void the warranty. After the first row, I was, as my dad would say, shittin in tall grass now, jack., Also, no where in the instructions did I see anything about how you really shouldnt remove planks to re-position them after youve locked them in. This is where the pull bar or The expansion and contraction can cause buckles in the seams where the planks connect and gaps on the floor. If you are installing on regular ol' subfloor, my friend Brittany wrote a whole post with this very same flooring (fun coincidence!) What are the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring? the cheapest solutions, and at the time of writing it could set you Now, lay your laminate or vinyl flooring over the carpet as instructed by the manufacturer. Like hardwood flooring materials, vinyl flooring can swell in humid conditions and shrink in low humidity. The warranty details can be found here. How do you prepare concrete for vinyl plank flooring? user-6623302 | Jan 16, 2021 04:03pm | #3 https://www.mpglobalproducts.com/blog/does-lifeproof-flooring-require-underlayment/, https://www.dritac.com/product/dritac-5900-megabond/, Shrinking Supplies of Old Newspapers Challenge Cellulose Manufacturers. The I may or may not have confused which side the tongue was and which side the groove was (OK BUT THE PART THAT STICKS OUT SHOULD BE THE TONGUE, NOT THE GROOVE! I might also add I had to rip up a small section of old stick on vinyl off basement floor years ago and I didnt find any mold it was just a pain in the *** to rip it up. All said, we are super happy with how the flooring looks! Where did you buy your rug from? But this changes when you opt for pricier material. Although the Installing Sheet vinyl ($.75-$4/sq. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. I also re-swept each area before laying planks to ensure there was no loose dirt or chunks, especially that could get into the little locking grooves on the planks. LifeProof includes a pre-attached sound mitigating pad. Similar to plywood in its composition, this type of flooring has a thin layer of genuine wood (many different species are available) bonded to other wood plies or composite board. to temperature changes and will allow some leeway for the And it looks absolutely lovely! the walls to know where to start. So you'll first cut the planks to length. Since we are the manufacturer of underlayments, we wanted to look a little deeper into the installation instructions to what they say in their installation instructions: No LifeProof includes a pre-attached sound mitigating pad. You can sometimes lower high spots using a coarse-grit abrasive on a belt or disc sander. Its also a great choice for a playroom or laundry room-mainly because its durable, waterproof, stain resistant, and easy to keep clean. The higher the number, the better the sound proofing is. What do you fill concrete cracks with before laminate? However, this type of installation requires careful consideration and the use of appropriate materials to ensure success. The definition of Delta IIC Rating Performance gain in sound reduction between two sound test. This is avoided by having perimeter drains and possibly a sump pump. Enjoy gentle floor heat with your new floor! Make sure the planks interlock tightly at the seams. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. don't have all the tools or you want to be 100% sure you don't Many basement flooring materials-like paint, epoxy, tile, and rubber flooring, for examplecan go down directly over the basements original poured concrete floor, as long as the concrete is in good condition. But the age old question always comes up. This flooring looks like real bamboo without the worry of it getting ruined. So far, they include the DIY photo ledge shelving above the desk, the modern plywood planter with hairpin legs, the DIY cat house side table, the DIY murphy bed, and the toy box bench build by the window! A little planning will save you a lot of headaches. I think I would paint the floor and put down some indoor/outdoor carpets. tapping block comes in handy. Become a GBA Prime member and get full access to GBA articles, enyclopedia, videos, CAD library, and more. Just make sure to check the manufacturers instructions for safety issues. vinyl plank flooring on concrete are quite easy to follow. you'd like to cover easily and cheaply, vinyl plank flooring could flooring. .btn-3d #default-btn-6:not(:hover) { name speaks for itself. Does LifeProof flooring need a vapor barrier? I opted not to removed our baseboards because they were in great shape. it is the easiest to install. There are four different types of vinyl I have no problem hiring an expert, they def deserve to be paid for their expertise but if I feel like their work would make my house worse then I want to avoid it. This post shares 10 tips for LifeProof vinyl flooring installation over a concrete slab. Joe, in that link you provide, they do recommend a poly VB. background: red !important; I only care about mold and ceiling height nothing else. The good news is that it is indeed possible. smooth. They allow the vinyl plank flooring to adjust We toured a house a few months ago and the LVP flooring was squishy and made a sticky clicking noise with each step very annoying! In this review, Shaw Luxury Vinyl scored 8.83 out of 10 points which put it level with Mohawk Vinyl Plank flooring. Do you know if anyone used QuietWalk luxury vinyl under lifeproof? border-bottom-color: #ae1313; Our QuietWalk luxury vinyl underlayment is a denser underlayment that provides support to the click-lock mechanism of a luxury vinyl plank. No. Find the best flooring option for your basement by comparing cost, comfort, durability, appearance, and installation details. It is one of .btn-3d #default-btn-8:not(:hover) { We found that it was much easier to get a tight seal when locking the planks in lengthwise when we lined a piece of scrap wood up along the back ofthe tapping block to get a bigger surface around to whack on. Quick Answer: How To Clean Sealed Concrete? All rights reserved. composite and its a fraction thicker than the others. Do you need something underneath them? This kind of damage should be repaired before any new basement flooring is installed. Look up lifeproof vinyl plank flooring. All of those layers have to be made of impermeable materials. I was able to do that quite a bit, which helped a lot with waste. The good news is they do offer pre-attached pad that has sound absorbing properties. While this still might not protect you from flooding, it will protect you from chemicals/mold reaching your floor and causing havoc. groove of the first row at a low angle. Thank you for your support! All flooring is still acceptable to excessive moisture, alkalis in the subfloor and conditions arising from hydrostatic pressure. Removing humidity from the inside air -- using either AC or a dehumidifier -- also helps. 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Why is there so many conflicting thoughts?? Your email address will not be published. ($2-$7/sq. Begin in the left corner of the floor and work down the length of the floor. We still have a few finishing touches in this space, but here are some shots of the room before and as it is now. Keep the receipt. } A cold floor may be tolerable in space thats used as a workshop or workout room. Download The Home Depot Mobile App to find LifeProof vinyl flooring for your next project. Difficult to remove, especially if adhesive is used during installation. pushing before they snap into place. are covering. Enter your name and email address below to receive latest flooring underlayment, floor heating and floor protection articles. required for this job. I didn't see the other exchanges on this matter, but if you're concerned about moisture migration up from a slab, it seems like taking steps to prevent that migration would be the conservative call. This will save you time and make the entire The complete source for building, designing, and remodeling green homes. Be sure to keep the radiant flooring heat under 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I hope you found my installation tips helpful. Everything from door jambs to transitions, we cover it all including installation of 1/4 round. Also, is that floor dead flat? Read all about it here. There are four ways that moisture gets into basements: Repeat the process along the length of the floor. It should fit snugly against your wall. and work your way down the room. This won't delete the articles you've saved, just the list. Patching compounds typically are mixed with water and applied with a trowel. Shaw Titan HD Plus line has a 30mil wear layer and 12mm overall thickness, which is the best that we have reviewed so far for Vinyl Planks. As for plates, any wood in direct contact with concrete or masonry that could be damp or cold should be rot-resistant, typically pressure treated but naturally rot resistant is ok too. The next step is to install the planks. If your remodeled basement will be used as a family room, home theatre, or kids playroom, you may want to have a subfloor installed over the concrete. High spots can be removed by grinding; depressions can be filled with patching compound formulated for use in floor installation. Take a look at our step-by-step guide: You should start and end the You glue down the planks directly onto the These things are tough (which is why we chose them!). To fight it, you have to seal the walls to keep outside air out in the summer, and also seal the walls to keep interior air from contacting the cool parts of the wall. It is very helpful to know what tools are Cracked or missing tiles should be fixed or filled in. Is it waterproof? NEW ScratchProtect Surface Coating is the ultimate in scratch and stain resistance Pre-attached underlayment provides a floor thats warm, comfortable and quiet underfoot Can be installed over most existing surfaces including tile, wood, concrete and vinyl Extra wide planks allow for quicker . * Is LVP impermeable? What happens if water gets under LifeProof flooring? insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less You probably won't need an under-layer. Others may not feel that mold is as large a health concern as I do. Tile is available in many different sizes and styles, and the price range is equally broad. Copying from an earlier post: Some epoxies may produce hazardous fumes during application and curing. Any comments greatly appreciated, this is a great community that has helped me big time before. Then, cut on the opposite side of the plank before snapping the plank along the score line. Your email address will not be published. I wore them for most of the time, and my knees still hurt like hell. Should have done that a while back. Can be installed over most existing surfaces including tile, wood, concrete and vinyl; Residential and . I was suspicious of these reviews because I didnt think Home Depot would market this method so heavily if it were a lie. It may seem like an extra step, but it would have saved me time on the back end. The rest of this post is about installing the vinyl plank over concrete. Gain Plus AromaBoost 154 fl. Maybe. Related: Read about our best recommendations for vinyl flooring, including reviews and comparisons. First, apply a concrete leveling primer to the entire floor with a push broom. If you are looking for additional sound reduction benefits, insulating value and built-in vapor barrier, we recommend the QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl underlayment has it was designed for luxury vinyl plank and tile flooring. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. } So basically they don't want you putting anything. How to Fill a Gap Between Baseboard and Flooring. Then, mix about 50 lb (23 kg) of the leveling compound in 20 cups (4,700 mL) of water. Removing Mortar from Concrete Slab Floor: A Practical Guide, How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring on Concrete Step-By-Step Guide. You may not need all the tools and safety gear Does LifeProof flooring require underlayment? If I were planning to install a lot of flooring and not just one room, I probably would have sprung for higher-quality knee pads, too. be the thing you are looking for. } #default-btn-10:not(:hover) { Use premium, waterproof 100-percent silicone caulk. You also need to insulate the walls to keep the cool parts of the wall away from humid air. It helps keep the floors warm without needing underfloor heating. 1 more reply More posts you may like r/DIY Join 26 days ago Sheet vinyl has other advantages, too: Its durable, easy to clean, and available in a wide variety of styles and patterns, giving you plenty of choices. It is going to be cold underfoot without insulation from the slab. ), and figuring out how to effectively lock the planks together took me a bit of time. Installing a vinyl tile or vinyl plank floor is easier than installing sheet vinyl, and any damage to the floor can be repaired easily, simply by replacing a tile or two. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Is there a need to apply any kind of sealant or other prep prior to laying down the LVP? Interlocking rubber tiles are easy for homeowners to install, they can go down directly over concrete or over a subfloor. If you're installing in a kitchen or bathroom, be sure to install vanities, cabinets, tubs, showers, and sinks before . Can you install LifeProof flooring over concrete? Prepare the subfloor and measure out all Like paint, this flooring treatment can be a good choice for workrooms and home gyms. By submitting your email, you agree to our, 5 Easy Ways to Remove Scratches from a Glass Window, 6 Simple Ways to Get Your Yard and Home Ready for Fall, Turn a Storage Room into a Modern Home Gym, Got Water in Your Crawl Space? It would look so good in my home office! Different brands of subfloor tiles are available that include a drainage space for any moisture on the concrete, rigid foam insulation, and a composite surface that serves as the substrate for finished flooring. on the list, but they are advisable to prevent you from getting hurt Original Scent HE Mega Liquid Laundry Detergent (107-Loads, Case of 4) 079168938955, Safe For Non-Stick Surfaces Cleaning Brushes, Safavieh Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug Collection, Tankless Electric Water Heater Collection, Express Your Personality from the Entryway, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. If you are installing your vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor, you may want to use an underlayment for three reasons. If you While solid wood flooring isnt suitable for use in basements, some types of engineered wood flooring will work just fine. I left you hanging with my top three choices, including the color we were considering. 13 boxes totaling exactly 260.70 square feet of flooring. Most types have a thickness of or less. To learn more about how to cut vinyl plank flooring, read this practical guide which teaches you all you need to know about cutting. Vinyl plank flooring is much more budget-friendly. planks to avoid marring the edges. The first and last row Can you install vinyl plank flooring over plywood? (You might be tempted to do this if you dont get a super tight seam and want to try again.). Some have said yes I have done this and seems to be holding up. I also have a radon mitigation system which helps avoid water vapor seepage due to slab pressure. areas. * Through capillary action as moisture wicks through the masonry. Exposing theLifeProof flooring for a couple of days allows the vinyl planks to acclimate to conditions of the room where it will be installed. fill up grouts wider than 1/8" with a leveling compound when installing over tiles . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Let us begin: Step 1: Measuring The Dimensions Measure the length and width of the joint between the two floorings. with a cork underlayment pre-attached. installation time. damaged. The same compounds that make wood rot-resistant, naturally or artificially, also make it mold-resistant. It seems unnecessary, and I knew Id cover the required 1/4 gap between the flooring and the walls with quarter round. be in. My experience is mostly with older homes in a cold climate, and I have researched mold enough to be very wary of it. Hey guys, Im back with a flooring update! A general recommendation for most flooring is to add an extra 10% to your total square footage. Do not use any additional sound suppression underlayment or padding, as doing so will void the LifeProof Limited Warranty. Flooring installation requires preparation. This is avoided by having a waterproof rain screen that allows the water to flow down to the bottom of the wall, where it is collected and diverted by perimeter drains. (Under $10/sq.ft. Some planks may need additional wiggling and Whats more, you can get these materials in an amazing variety of styles. Vinyl tile can be installed over concrete if the concrete is clean, smooth and dry. However, you may be wondering how to install Some have said basically I am asking for mold. This will help you decide if you need to rip your first plank for a more balanced look or to avoid a wonky cut at the other side of the room. Are there cracks wide enough to admit a dime? Hairline cracks are easy to fix. (I mean, it looks awesome, but it was a huge pain.). In general, 12% moisture or above is too wet to install flooring. installation is quite similar you should choose the one that best At first I thought it was a little steep of a price for what we needed it for. Your basement needs multiple layers of protection: a rain layer, a vapor layer, an air layer and an insulation layer. } Any gaps larger than a quarter-inch wide, gouges, and large chips should be filled with a patch. Required fields are marked *. The surface of Lifeproof flooring is coated with ultimate scratch and stain resistance. How about trying the old trick of putting down a sheet of plastic over the slab, edges taped, and see if there is moisture coming through getting the bottom side of the plastic wet?

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