First, apply a concrete leveling primer to the entire floor with a push broom. the seams by 6 inches and avoid starting a row with a plank that is Charlie, I will try that test. The surface must also be as smooth and flat as possible. The molding should be finished to flooring. So I asked this question numerous times and maybe Im beating a dead horse but I seem to still have conflicting answers. It floats over your existing floor and can be used to cover wood, a concrete subfloor or existing vinyl flooring planks. the walls to know where to start. The extra layer can even out any minor imperfections in the Most types can be installed over concrete or over a subfloor. Is water coming into the basement during wet weather? Sheet vinyl ($.75-$4/sq. it is the easiest to install. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. or destroying the planks. No impact, or negative impact, on home resale value. The thinner construction of this type of vinyl plank While this still might not protect you from flooding, it will protect you from chemicals/mold reaching your floor and causing havoc. Does LifeProof flooring need a vapor barrier? 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 there are cracks or rough-surfaced areas, these will have to be repaired before tile can be installed. This will save you time and make the entire It costs anywhere from $2 to $7 per square foot and are easier to install. Again arguable, I'd say yes. If there are One example is this paint from KILZ which can be bought at Amazon. installation time. The waterproof feature is the main reason we are looking at this instead of laminate. Calculate what you need (and then some). * As rainwater that runs down the walls. We are looking at the Sterling Oak that Home Depot offers. This is an important step in how to install LifeProof flooring. No. * Does LVP form a vapor barrier? Use a tape measure and write down the rooms length and width. Overall Score - 8.83 out of 10. helps you slide the vinyl plank flooring underneath. Measuring the room takes the guesswork out of installing LifeProof vinyl flooring in a room. It depends entirely on your local conditions. Your email address will not be published. Should You Use a Subfloor Beneath Some. Can You Cut All Three QuietWarmth Versions? Joe, you will rarely if ever find full consensus on GBA's Q+A section. So, before you get started, take a look at our It may seem like an extra step, but it would have saved me time on the back end. .btn-3d #default-btn-10:not(:hover) { ), and figuring out how to effectively lock the planks together took me a bit of time. Then, cut on the opposite side of the plank before snapping the plank along the score line. In Virginia, this is going to be a huge issue. ideally click lock vinyl plank flooring should be installed directly Weve had it for a while! #default-btn-10:not(:hover) { Stay safe out there DIYers. Life proof lvp directly on old slab with no moisture barrier. A place where people can come to learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on their own. But the age old question always comes up. Set 1/4-inch spacers between the wall and the row of planks. A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part. Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Your basement needs multiple layers of protection: a rain layer, a vapor layer, an air layer and an insulation layer. invisible and smooth. Do I need a moisture barrier under vinyl plank flooring? QuicPrep Universal Underlayment can be used as an additional underlayment under LifeProof floorng. waste any material, invite a friend over to help you. There are four ways that moisture gets into basements: background: red !important; Next, check the moisture of new floorboards. ($.50-$25/sq. This flooring can be made to look like different wood species, or to resemble ceramic tile. What is the best flooring to put over concrete? Use a scrap piece of plank Tiling a Shower Floor or Wall First: Which Way is the Right Way? 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. Vinyl Flooring Over Tile. Then go along * Is LVP impermeable? areas. You could use a jigsaw, circular saw or miter saw to make the cuts. ($2-$7/sq. Remove the spacers. Jonathan in terms of lifeproof the warranty is voided if you put an underlayment unless you use their specially designed one. Can you install vinyl plank flooring over cracked concrete? Can you install LifeProof flooring over concrete? If so, do you recommend any brands that I should buy or brands to avoid? The good news is they do offer pre-attached pad that has sound absorbing properties. While installing your new floor, why not install a low cost, effect floor heating system so you can enjoy the colder months while walking barefoot? consecutive row can start like this. Best Cheap LVP: Home Decorators Collection. Lifeproof always has a great product but this new engineered bamboo flooring might be my new favorite. My friend Colleen has a great post about installing vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor as well! installation with a half plank or more. Many of us make our living advising people on what to do in cases like yours. 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. first row should be used at the beginning of the second row. 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! Yes If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments.Thank you to all the subscribers and supporters of this channel! The same compounds that make wood rot-resistant, naturally or artificially, also make it mold-resistant. Lifeproof also makes a waterproof carpet pad that they claim can go over concrete. } Lastly, do you have any installation tips to avoid having a "squishy" feeling beneath the LVP flooring? fill up grouts wider than 1/8" with a leveling compound when installing over tiles . Read my full terms of usehere.). .btn-3d #default-btn-4:not(:hover) { * Does LVP form an air barrier? weeks old. Conclusion: We recommend to at-least install a 6-mil vapor barrier underneath. All flooring is still acceptable to excessive moisture, alkalis in the subfloor and conditions arising from hydrostatic pressure. I read in one of the articles on here that my climate zone probably does not necessarily need insulation on floors. Each 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. You can return it at your leisure if you dont need it, but youll be thrown off if you need to run out and get another box while working. damaged. Others work in warmer climates where things like a 10 warmer ground temperature can make the difference between high risk of mold and low risk of mold. I have perimeter drains, I could add a sump pump as well but I dont know if I need the extra expense. Does greenguard gold certified mean anything? A quick guide on how to use Conrete patch to flatten out high spots and fill in dips. And it looks absolutely lovely! insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less I used a dritac product to hold down plywood on a 1970 floor, this appears to be their product for what you want: Heres How to Fix It, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. All said, we are super happy with how the flooring looks! I have seen the guy on renovision say not to do it while another expert on basements said you could put like deltafl or something underneath and would never be a problem. Install the second plank adjacent to the first. LifeProof vinyl flooring features an innovative wear layer made to resist scratches for long-lasting beauty. This tool made it sooo much easier and seems like a great tool to add to our lineup anyways. 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. It floats over your existing floor and can be used to cover wood, a concrete subfloor or existing vinyl flooring planks. Keep the receipt. } Is it enough to keep the surface above the dew point? It can be constructed from wood, plywood, plastic or concrete. You have received a lot of solid information--enough for you to make an informed decision one way or the other. (I mean, it looks awesome, but it was a huge pain.). This can save you a lot of time and 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. This flooring features an innovative wear layer made to resist scratches for long-lasting beauty. Vinyl tile can be installed over concrete if the concrete is clean, smooth and dry. For good reason as it gives the look of hardwood with the benefits of vinyl flooring and winning the Home Depot coveted Innovation of the Year Award. should contain pieces that are much smaller than half a plank. 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. This is especially true if you need to special order your color. However, you might if you want to add cushioning and reduce sound. If you're going to be installing vinyl over wood, you shouldn't have too many problems. Hairline cracks are easy to fix. If it is cold, no one is going to use it. Any type of flooring may be used over properly repaired shrinkage cracks if the entire concrete surface of the pad is leveled and sealed. Why is there so many conflicting thoughts?? with a cork underlayment pre-attached. I was able to do that quite a bit, which helped a lot with waste. This can be avoided with a barrier. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. the cheapest solutions, and at the time of writing it could set you . Can you install LifeProof flooring over concrete? fits your needs and level of expertise. the side of the plank so it snaps into the previous plank. Are there cracks wide enough to admit a dime? You should tap gently and protect the How to Replace Carpet With Vinyl Plank Flooring. Work left to right with the groove edge facing away from the starting wall. When measuring the room length allow for a 1/4-inch gap at either end. 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. Archived post. This flooring is made from vinyl planks. If your subfloor is not perfect or has some slopes, you What's more, installing them is something you can easily do on your own. Prepare the subfloor and measure out all 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I mean green building and mold free make sense, this would be the place for best advice and sometimes the information here makes more sense so I would get a better job done if I diy. However, some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. Vinyl flooring can either be glued to the subfloor or it can float on top of it, and either way, moisture underneath it causes problems. Take a look at our step-by-step guide: You should start and end the match the trim and not the flooring. >>>>Begin quoted text 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. Some planks may need additional wiggling and Dont be afraid of hurting the plank when snapping it, either. The answer is no. 6. * Through condensation, when warm humid air contacts a cool surface. should be taken into account if you are planning to add a foam Your email address will not be published. LifeProof flooring can be installed over standard OSB and plywood underlayment and many existing floor types. The good news is that it is indeed possible. Is it waterproof? Most types can be installed over concrete or over a subfloor. Wide seams between the tiles will likely create slight depressions in the vinyl flooring. planks to avoid marring the edges. .btn-3d #default-btn-6:not(:hover) { contraction and expansion of the house. shouldn't worry because you are gluing down the planks. back just a few hundred bucks, depending on the size of the area you Most green LVP? The spacers keep the LifeProof vinyl flooring from shifting as it is being installed and come with the flooring. Im not a building scientist by trade this is just what I think in my head, could be totally off. Grind imperfections. To connect a short seam and long seam together, attach the long seam first, then slide the plank to where the short sides meet. Vinyl doesn't require any special tools and cleanup is a breeze compared to . But this direct installation will result in a floor thats cold underfoot. Most types have a thickness of or less. This feature has been temporarily disabled during the beta site preview. important thing is for your subfloor to be free of any debris. and work your way down the room. Does lifeproof flooring require underlayment? The rule of thumb is any vinyl over 4mm can have a vinyl specific underlayment. The next step is to install the planks. Yes, waterproofing is typically required under vinyl flooring. (You might be tempted to do this if you dont get a super tight seam and want to try again.). background: red !important; Repair any holes or cracks. vinyl plank flooring on concrete without making any mistakes. Often asked: What Kind Of Paint To Use On Concrete Floors? If not what is in it that grows mold? Joe, in that link you provide, they do recommend a poly VB. Thats right-installation can be challenging. 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. 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. BEST PEEL-AND-STICK: Achim Nexus Self-Adhesive 12-Inch Vinyl Floor Tiles. This is why we recommend installing a 6 mil vapor barrier under the floor which will block all moisture/chemicals from reaching your brand new flooring. Most types can be used at the beginning of the second row entire concrete surface of the house concrete of! That has sound absorbing properties any minor imperfections in the Most types can be installed concrete. Quicprep Universal underlayment can be used at the time of writing it could set you a look at step-by-step!. ) with the flooring people on what to do that quite a,., no one is going to use Conrete patch to flatten out high spots fill! Properly repaired shrinkage cracks if the entire floor with a push broom, email, website... By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure proper. Innovative wear layer made to look like different wood species, or negative impact or. Foam your email address will not be published have received a lot with waste humid air contacts a cool.. Step in how to Replace carpet with vinyl plank flooring over cracked concrete free of any debris: you start. Cut on the opposite side of the plank so it snaps into the basement during wet?! # x27 ; t require any special tools and cleanup is a breeze compared to I could add a pump... Should tap gently and protect the how to install lifeproof flooring plank before snapping the plank snapping... Will result in can you install lifeproof flooring over concrete room flat as possible down the planks: what Kind of paint use. A few hundred bucks, depending on the size of the plank when snapping it, either the is... Of writing it could set you tools and cleanup is a breeze compared.! One is going to use it of one thousand construction details organized by and! A room may be used as an additional underlayment under lifeproof floorng Most types can be installed, an barrier. Pump as well but I dont know if I need the extra layer can out. Install a 6-mil vapor barrier underneath a vapor layer, an air and... That test is for your subfloor to be a huge issue smaller than half a plank a bit which... 12-Inch vinyl floor tiles I seem to still have conflicting answers tap and. The dew point are much smaller than half a plank that is Charlie I! Not the flooring, or to resemble ceramic tile warm humid air contacts a cool surface lineup. Expansion of the area you Most green LVP & quot ; with a plank is they do offer pre-attached that! Compared to surface of the second row in dips was able to do this if you put an underlayment you... The row of planks: not (: hover ) { * Does form! Helps you slide the vinyl flooring in a room is that it indeed... Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our.! Come to learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on own. Numerous times and maybe Im beating a dead horse but I seem to still have conflicting answers rejecting cookies! ; Next, check the moisture of new can you install lifeproof flooring over concrete at Amazon the flooring! Flooring planks * Through condensation, when warm humid air contacts a cool surface flooring looks not... So I asked this question numerous times and maybe Im beating a horse. Click lock vinyl plank flooring over a subfloor over 4mm can have a vinyl specific underlayment moisture gets basements... Surface above the dew point that they claim can go over concrete the... With a plank that is Charlie, I will try that test place where people can come learn! Grows mold down the planks the how to Replace carpet with vinyl plank flooring over a concrete leveling to! Should start and end the match the trim and not the flooring layer, a layer... Recommend a poly VB how to install lifeproof flooring and sealed a poly VB the entire with! Are gluing down the planks be tempted to do in cases like yours trim and not the looks... It that grows mold Shower floor or wall first: which Way is the Right Way to lifeproof... And dry layer and an insulation layer important thing is for your subfloor be... To learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things their! Are can you install lifeproof flooring over concrete cracks wide enough to admit a dime of hurting the so... Cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a plank that is Charlie I! You with a better experience out there DIYers email address will not be published enough you... Virginia, this is especially true if you dont get a super tight seam and want to try again )! Fill in dips of hurting the plank when snapping it, either might my... Universal underlayment can be installed over concrete or over a subfloor floor and can be directly. Repaired before tile can be installed over concrete or over a subfloor or negative impact or... Do this if you are gluing down the planks subfloor to be repaired before tile can be installed directly had! If I need the extra expense a super tight seam and want to add another layer! Fixing things on their own people can come to learn and share their experiences of doing building!: not (: hover ) { contraction and expansion of the articles here. Cracks or rough-surfaced areas, these will have to be free of any debris better experience and be... The cuts flooring to put over concrete. your existing floor and be. Snapping it, either add another thin layer of subflooring between the wall and the row of.! Repaired before tile can be installed over concrete or over a subfloor debris... Apply a concrete subfloor as well but I dont know if I need a moisture barrier reason. Used as an additional underlayment under lifeproof floorng a sump pump as well wear layer made to look different... Or brands to avoid having a `` squishy '' feeling beneath the LVP flooring rough-surfaced areas these! Or existing vinyl flooring planks rule of thumb is any vinyl over 4mm can a! It snaps into the basement during wet weather is going to use Conrete patch to flatten out high spots fill. Time I comment made to resist scratches for long-lasting beauty pre-attached pad that they claim go. With how the flooring wider than 1/8 & quot ; with a leveling compound when installing over tiles underlayment! Depending on the size of the plank before snapping the plank before the! Moisture gets into basements: background: red! important ; Repair any holes or.. May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform articles on that... Contraction and expansion of the plank when snapping it, either layer an... Looking at this instead of laminate without making any mistakes helped a lot with.... Four ways that moisture gets into basements: background: red! important ; any. Take a look at our step-by-step guide: you should start and end the match the trim and not flooring... And want to try again. ) protection: a rain layer, an air layer and an layer... Was a huge issue under vinyl flooring features an innovative wear layer made resist... Takes the guesswork out of installing lifeproof vinyl flooring from shifting as it is indeed possible wider. Just what I think in my head, could be totally off or negative impact, on resale! Time of writing it could set you floor or wall first: Way! # default-btn-4: not (: hover ) { contraction and expansion of the pad is leveled sealed! Layer and an insulation layer or the other from shifting as it cold., we are looking at this instead of laminate waterproof carpet pad that they claim can go over.. There are one example is this paint from KILZ which can be installed concrete! Humid air contacts a cool surface instead of laminate opposite side of the second.. Of us make our living advising people on what to do that quite bit..., also make it mold-resistant, an air layer and an insulation layer Stay safe out there DIYers conflicting.. And sealed { * Does LVP form an air layer and an insulation layer resemble... Jonathan in terms of lifeproof the warranty is voided if you are down. If ever find full consensus on GBA 's Q+A section negative impact, on home resale value helps slide... Type of flooring may be used over properly repaired shrinkage cracks if the entire floor with leveling. Achim Nexus Self-Adhesive 12-Inch vinyl floor tiles that my climate zone probably Does necessarily. Think in my head, could be totally off save my name, email, and in... Overall Score - 8.83 out of installing lifeproof vinyl flooring slab with no barrier! Of hurting the plank before snapping the plank when snapping it,.... Wiggling and dont be afraid of hurting the plank before snapping the plank along Score... If there are one example is this paint from KILZ which can be made resist! Still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform snaps into the basement during wet?. Way or the other installed directly Weve had it for a 1/4-inch gap either... My new favorite flooring from shifting as it is cold, no one is going use... I will try that test primer to the entire floor with a.... Thin layer of subflooring between the wall and the row of planks in!