Full Answer
Can you install vinyl plank flooring on concrete?
You don’t need to be a pro or require expensive tools to install vinyl plank flooring on concrete. Once you prepare the concrete subflooring, just align, click the planks into place, and your vinyl floor will come together in a short time.
Do you have to remove baseboards to install vinyl planks?
When installing vinyl planks, there needs to be a small space between the walls and the planks to give enough space for the vinyl’s expansion and contraction. You will also need to slide some planks underneath the corners of the room. For this to happen, you will have to remove any baseboards in the room.
Can You Lay vinyl flooring over concrete backer board?
Also to know is, can you lay vinyl over concrete backer board? Most vinyl tile floors are thin enough to support the extra thickness of both the backer board and the tile. If thickness is an issue, however, 1/4-inch thick backer board can be safely installed on vinyl, in place of the standard 1/2-inch.
Can You Lay vinyl tile over particleboard?
While many installers do lay vinyl tile over particleboard, it is only recommended for sheet vinyl. Even when sealed, high humidity levels in the air can cause the particleboard to swell, which can shift the vinyl tile seams slightly.
Can you put vinyl over cement board?
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.
Can you put laminate flooring over cement board?
Laminate flooring can be installed over concrete, wood or carpet subfloor or other surfaces. Installation of good quality underlayment is highly recommended. Installing underlayment is easy but it has to be done precise to avoid any tears.Jan 26, 2018
Can you put vinyl planks over backer board?
Most vinyl tile floors are thin enough to support the extra thickness of both the backer board and the tile. If thickness is an issue, however, 1/4-inch thick backer board can be safely installed on vinyl, in place of the standard 1/2-inch.
Can you glue vinyl flooring to cement board?
Mix Thin-Set Adhesive: Mix up thin-set adhesive in a bucket using a mixing paddle chucked in a drill. Apply Adhesive to Floor: Use a notched trowel to apply thin-set adhesive to the vinyl flooring. Position Cement Backer Board: Lay the cement backer board on the floor while the thin-set is still wet.
What underlayment should I use on concrete?
With a concrete subfloor, you will need an underlayment that acts as a vapor barrier in order to prevent moisture from penetrating through to your laminate installation. The normal choice is a thin foam pad material made of polyethylene or polypropylene, which rolls out in sheets.Sep 4, 2021
What flooring is best over concrete?
Best Flooring for Concrete Slab FoundationEngineered Wood. Natural hardwood flooring offers undeniable beauty and durability. ... Vinyl. As a longstanding choice for kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl has a reputation for extreme water resistance. ... Laminate. ... Carpet. ... Tile.
Can cement board be installed over linoleum?
Cement backer board is often recommended for this type of flooring project due to its longevity. Essentially, when you install backer board, you're simply putting down another layer to have a better surface to tile over your linoleum.
Will thinset stick to vinyl flooring?
Can I tile over vinyl? Most manufacturers' of tile cement (thinset) have developed a specialty thinset for setting tile that bonds well to sheet vinyl. However, as with all tile installations, the entire subfloor below the tile is important – not only the layer to which the tile is bonded.
Do you need backer board for 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.Sep 16, 2021
How flat does a concrete floor need to be for vinyl plank?
3/16”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 long is a vinyl plank?
Generally, vinyl planks are about 36 inches long; therefore, two-thirds of this is 24 inches long. Then, slowly but gently break the plank along the marked vertical line. This two-thirds plank will be the first one on the second row.
How to measure for even size vinyl planks?
Start by measuring the width of the room and then the width of the vinyl planks. Divide the width of the planks with the width of the room to find out the number of planks you will need to fill the room.
How to start staggering planks?
To get started, use a tape measure to measure the length of a new plank. Determine the two-thirds point of the plank and mark this with a straight vertical line with a T-square and pencil.
What is a tongue and groove vinyl plank?
Vinyl planks come with a tongue on one side and a groove on the opposite side. The tongue and groove design allows the planks to interlock in place. To get started with installation, you will first cut the tongue of the first-row planks.
How long do you leave planks in a room?
Remove the planks from their boxes and put them in the room you are going to be working on. Leave the planks there for at least 48 hours to allow them to acclimatize.
How to fix low spots on concrete?
First, apply leveling primer to the concrete and wait 4-5 hours for it to dry before applying the level ing compound.
What to do if carpenter's level is higher?
If the carpenter’s level shows a spot is slightly higher, you will need to bring this part down so that it is at the same level as the rest of the floor.
Why add extra layer of vinyl plank flooring?
This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. The extra layer can even out any minor imperfections in the concrete or level it out if the concrete drops or sinks in some areas. It may be applicable if your concrete is too old or too damaged.
How many different types of vinyl plank flooring are there?
There are four different types of vinyl plank flooring that you can find on the market. Although the installation is quite similar you should choose the one that best fits your needs and level of expertise.
How old should concrete be before you fill it?
Prepare the Concrete. The concrete should be more than six weeks old. There shouldn't be any powder or flakes. If there are large expansion joints or cracks in your concrete, you can fill and smooth them using premixed leveling products from home improvement stores.
Can you level concrete for vinyl plank flooring?
Make sure the concrete is dry and avoid self-leveling patches. For the purpose of installing vinyl plank flooring, the concrete does not have to be perfectly level, only smooth.
Can you glue down planks on a subfloor?
You glue down the planks directly onto the subfloor. If your subfloor is not perfect or has some slopes, you shouldn't worry because you are gluing down the planks. The important thing is for your subfloor to be free of any debris.
When you start the second row of planks, what is the tongue of the first plank?
When you start the second row, the tongue of the first plank in the second row slides into the groove of the first row at a low angle. Then you lay it on the floor and work your way down the room. The piece of plank left over from the first row should be used at the beginning of the second row.
Can you install click lock vinyl planks on laminate flooring?
The thinner construction of this type of vinyl plank should be taken into account if you are planning to add a foam underlayment. The underlayment may affect the locking mechanism, so ideally click lock vinyl plank flooring should be installed directly onto the subfloor.
Why did my deck fail?
The reason it failed was: 1) the finished deck sloped toward the house not away 2) bad lipage where tile pocketed water in patches across the deck 3) nothing under the durarock but 1/2 plywood – rusty plain nails – did not tape – did not stagger joints 4) regular sanded grout with no sealing.
Do cement board screws hold nails?
The problem is that those fasteners don’t have the holding power that cement board screws and roofing nails have. Some examples of the different cement board screws on the market. Additionally, people also mess up fasteners by not using enough of them and driving them too deep.
Can you use mesh tape on cement board?
Not using Mesh Tape on the Seams of your Cement Board Installation. This is more of a little known fact but most cement board manufacturers want fiberglass alkaline-resistant mesh tape embedded in thinset mortar over the backer board seams. Mesh Tape: Don’t Skip this Step.
Should you lay a new vinyl floor over an old one?
As we’ve just mentioned, it’s possible to lay a new vinyl floor over an existing old one – but before we get onto how to do it, let’s take a step back and think about whether you should do it. Is it a good idea or something you’re better off avoiding?
Why would you want to lay new vinyl over old?
So we’ve established that laying vinyl over your old vinyl floor is a feasible solution, but why would you want to do it?
Two options: with or without underlayment
So if you’ve decided to lay your vinyl over the top of your old vinyl floor, let’s start thinking about how to do it.
Laying vinyl directly on vinyl – preparing the floor
If you decide to stick your new floor directly onto the old one, the first step is to prepare the surface.
Laying vinyl directly on vinyl – installing the new vinyl floor
Once the floor is completely dry, you can start laying the new vinyl over the top.
How to lay vinyl using underlayment
If you decide your old vinyl floor is not in good enough condition to lay the new floor directly over the old surface, the best solution short of removing it is to use underlayment.
A simple method that can save you lots of time and effort
As we’ve seen, there usually isn’t any problem with laying a new vinyl floor over an old one, and if that’s the solution you opt for, it can save you a whole lot of time and effort.
