Sheet vinyl ($.75-$4/sq. Ensure the floors are spotless, removing all dust and debris so that nothing gets trapped beneath the planks. 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. fill up grouts wider than 1/8" with a leveling compound when installing over tiles . ($2-$7/sq. * Does LVP form an air barrier? Vinyl plank flooring is a great option for on top of radiant heating, especially if you need a flooring that is waterproof! I was suspicious of these reviews because I didnt think Home Depot would market this method so heavily if it were a lie. The prices given below are for materials and dont include professional installation. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. 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. You could use a jigsaw, circular saw or miter saw to make the cuts. No impact, or negative impact, on home resale value. No matter what type of basement flooring you choose, make sure to first fix any problems in the original concrete floor. To Will be installing Lifeproof LVP, version with the pad underlayment attached, in my basement. For your concrete slab to function as a subfloor, holes, cracks, and low spots need to be patched. What do you fill concrete cracks with before laminate? Ideally, it should be between 7% and 9%. Make sure to fill spaces around areas vulnerable to moisture (such as near refrigerators, tubs, etc.). ft.): Buying a large roll of vinyl gets you a new floor for a very affordable price. Can you install LifeProof flooring over concrete? Install the first plank flush against the wall. 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. Then, mix about 50 lb (23 kg) of the leveling compound in 20 cups (4,700 mL) of water. If it is cold, no one is going to use it. So why would they mention a vapor barrier not required in their installation instructions? Where did you buy your rug from? Next, check the moisture of new floorboards. To trim a plank, use a straight edge and utility knife to score it. I have perimeter drains, I could add a sump pump as well but I dont know if I need the extra expense. The For the best appearance (and a warmer finished floor), this flooring should be installed over a subfloor. Generally speaking, you can install vinyl tile directly over concrete, provided there are not any serious problems with the concrete floor. If you have some experience with In this case it sounds like he's good though. It is very helpful to know what tools are The next step is to install the planks. It consists of metal rails underneath and a T-bar canopy with an overhang that bridges the two floors. 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. Is there a need to apply any kind of sealant or other prep prior to laying down the LVP? Concrete Subfloor Prep Perform moisture tests at locations around exterior doorways, near walls containing plumbing, near foun- dation walls and in the center of the room. But this changes when you opt for pricier material. You have received a lot of solid information--enough for you to make an informed decision one way or the other. Flooring installation requires preparation. You might be able to use them elsewhere in the room as you continue laying planks. Oh man, I cant even remember, but changes are good it was Target or Homegoods, LOL. Both materials are available with different textured patterns, and in a limited range of colors. Also if mold could grow underneath the flooring would it actually ever reach the air. My experience is mostly with older homes in a cold climate, and I have researched mold enough to be very wary of it. The underlayment may affect the locking mechanism, so groove of the first row at a low angle. 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. the concrete in your basement or have some bare concrete in your home What is the best flooring to put over concrete? Remove the boards to use the pattern as you lay down the flooring. 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. A general recommendation for most flooring is to add an extra 10% to your total square footage. damaged. >>>> end quoted text. 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. Do not use any additional sound suppression underlayment or padding, as doing so will void the LifeProof Warranty. #default-btn-6:not(:hover) { Are there cracks wide enough to admit a dime? According to the installation instructions, adding another underlayment such as QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl under LifeProof would void the warranty. Heres a video: Buy theknee pads, people. Any concrete floor used as a subfloor for vinyl tile must be clean, dry, and smooth. Should I be concerned? A look at installing vinyl plank flooring when the concrete is uneven. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. be in. That is why I come here because this is all about building science. Does LifeProof flooring need a vapor barrier? 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. But I definitely would have died cutting the door jambs and trim by hand. To connect a short seam and long seam together, attach the long seam first, then slide the plank to where the short sides meet. As much as I love to plow through projects, I needed breaks. Its also a great choice for a playroom or laundry room-mainly because its durable, waterproof, stain resistant, and easy to keep clean. small pull saw or oscillating multi-tool. I took breaks when my hands started to hurt (typically the hand gripping the tapping block) and wore work gloves most of the time. composite and its a fraction thicker than the others. invisible and smooth. Can you install vinyl plank flooring over cracked concrete? Look up lifeproof vinyl plank flooring. If you're installing in a kitchen or bathroom, be sure to install vanities, cabinets, tubs, showers, and sinks before . 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. waste any material, invite a friend over to help you. In this review, Shaw Luxury Vinyl scored 8.83 out of 10 points which put it level with Mohawk Vinyl Plank flooring. Take a look at our step-by-step guide: You should start and end the https://www.mpglobalproducts.com/blog/does-lifeproof-flooring-require-underlayment/. Lifting the plank at a slight angle, connect the tongue of the second plank to the groove of the first plank to lock them in place. Leave a 3/8-inch gap along both walls to allow for expansion of the flooring. and our Lifeproof always has a great product but this new engineered bamboo flooring might be my new favorite. process much easier. LifeProof vinyl flooring can be installed over existing wood floor, a concrete subfloor or existing vinyl flooring planks. The vertical displacement associated with settlement cracks is not curable, and it will continue to worsen over time. Smaller cracks, less than 1/4 inch wide, can be repaired with a concrete caulk or liquid filler. areas. Does greenguard gold certified mean anything? Your email address will not be published. If you (You might be tempted to do this if you dont get a super tight seam and want to try again.). 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. The molding should be finished to Moisture weakens glue bonds and causes the edges to lift and bubbles to form in the middle. the tongue of the first plank in the second row slides into the } If you buy it new at Home Depot right now it will cost you $85.64 per box totaling $1113.29. to temperature changes and will allow some leeway for the All said, we are super happy with how the flooring looks! Now, lay your laminate or vinyl flooring over the carpet as instructed by the manufacturer. Privacy Policy. consecutive row can start like this. The same compounds that make wood rot-resistant, naturally or artificially, also make it mold-resistant. Why is there so many conflicting thoughts?? vinyl plank flooring on concrete without making any mistakes. Will I need to install a vapor barrier beneath? Before installing LifeProof flooring, allow the product to adjust to the rooms temperature and humidity. Better yet: Most basement flooring materials are DIY-friendly. Plastic sheet over concrete slab - what about mold? Quick Answer: How To Paint Basement Concrete Walls? Vinyl floors under 4mm should be installed right over the subfloor. user-6623302 | Jan 16, 2021 04:03pm | #3 LifeProof flooring is one of the most popular selling floors on Home Depot today. } } 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. It can be constructed from wood, plywood, plastic or concrete. In this video, I go through all the steps of installing LifeProof vinyl plank flooring over existing sheet vinyl. ft.): This basement flooring option offers great value for the money. It shouldn't be damaged and it must be smooth. I design projects for clients so I can't take risks. But wait, does it require something else? Exposing theLifeProof flooring for a couple of days allows the vinyl planks to acclimate to conditions of the room where it will be installed. Gain Plus AromaBoost 154 fl. It depends entirely on your local conditions. However, you may be wondering how to install Removing Mortar from Concrete Slab Floor: A Practical Guide, How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring on Concrete Step-By-Step Guide. Prepare the subfloor and measure out all Snap the planks in place. 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. There are four different types of vinyl }. click lock vinyl plank flooring is very similar to laminate Quick Answer: How To Clean Sealed Concrete? Use a soft-faced hammer or mallet and a tapping block to tap down on the planks to ensure they lock into place for a tight fit. Like hardwood flooring materials, vinyl flooring can swell in humid conditions and shrink in low humidity. It is one of It floats over your existing floor and can be used to cover wood, a concrete subfloor or existing vinyl flooring planks. This won't delete the articles you've saved, just the list. the longest wall. .btn-3d #default-btn-2:not(:hover) { and has some great tips for installing this LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring for beginners. Trying to understand best practices for floor prep prior to install. dust mask. It floats over your existing floor and can be used to cover wood, a concrete subfloor or existing vinyl flooring planks. Difficult to remove, especially if adhesive is used during installation. This kind of damage should be repaired before any new basement flooring is installed. You can buy an Epoxy floor kit for your basement here. Then, cut on the opposite side of the plank before snapping the plank along the score line. The good news is they do offer pre-attached pad that has sound absorbing properties. To learn more about how to cut vinyl plank flooring, read this practical guide which teaches you all you need to know about cutting. The warranty details can be found here. Work left to right with the groove edge facing away from the starting wall. smooth, free of damages, clean and dust free. Because every house is a unique system of variables, the science is relatively complex, and everyone comes in with different experiences and priorities. 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. A couple things to consider here. } With our QuietWalk Luxury Vinyl underlayment (designed for luxury vinyl plank) achieving Delta IIC rating of 28 was achieved. BEST . 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. Michael I have spoke to local experts on waterproofing and finishing basements. Then you lay it on the floor important to take time and prepare well before you start assembling. But this created some tricky spots under door jambs and on some corners. https://www.dritac.com/product/dritac-5900-megabond/, I have no experience other than 11 years without problems with another product of theirs. However, this type of installation requires careful consideration and the use of appropriate materials to ensure success. QuicPrep Universal Underlayment can be used as an additional underlayment under LifeProof floorng. But this direct installation will result in a floor thats cold underfoot. ), and figuring out how to effectively lock the planks together took me a bit of time. are covering. #default-btn-2:not(:hover) { the cheapest solutions, and at the time of writing it could set you This can save you a lot of time and .btn-3d #default-btn-6:not(:hover) { I left you hanging with my top three choices, including the color we were considering. If you've noticed moisture appearing on Life proof lvp directly on old slab with no moisture barrier. Each Archived post. 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? When I did that, I figure out how many boxes Id need based on how many square feet each box covers. The first glue or locking system is required to install loose lay vinyl plank Life-proof flooring can be installed over concrete subfloors, wooden subfloors, and even existing vinyl or tile. It can be constructed from wood, plywood, plastic or concrete. To prevent this, fill low spots with a patch or self-leveling concrete. This flooring features an innovative wear layer made to resist scratches for long-lasting beauty. Want more tips on installing these floors? This is an important step in how to install LifeProof flooring. This is where the pull bar or I wore them for most of the time, and my knees still hurt like hell. This post shares 10 tips for LifeProof vinyl flooring installation over a concrete slab. The rest of this post is about installing the vinyl plank over concrete. Required fields are marked *. I wasnt able to do that. It may be applicable if your concrete is too old or too If not what is in it that grows mold? Squeeze a bottle of concrete patching compound or filler over a crack to fill them in. 13 boxes totaling exactly 260.70 square feet of flooring. For the purpose of installing vinyl plank TheModerateTraveller 4 yr. ago Technically it calls for 6mil vapor barrier if concrete is above recommended moisture levels. If you are installing on regular ol' subfloor, my friend Brittany wrote a whole post with this very same flooring (fun coincidence!) For your first row, face the tongue toward the center of the room, pre-drilling and nailing with finishing nails about 1 inch in from the wall. The complete source for building, designing, and remodeling green homes. Purchase a transition strip of the same dimensions. It helps keep the floors warm without needing underfloor heating. While the flooring is waterproof and has pad-attached underlayment, it offers only the basic benefits of underlayment. 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. back just a few hundred bucks, depending on the size of the area you For more information, please see our No The spacers keep the LifeProof vinyl flooring from shifting as it is being installed and come with the flooring. So technically, if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. Everything from door jambs to transitions, we cover it all including installation of 1/4 round. Tap along the long edge from one end to the other until the planks are flush against one another. insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less Is the concrete surface rough or uneven in areas? #default-btn-4:not(:hover) { Concrete: Do not use planks as a moisture barrier. I would like to be informed before making a decision. 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. When you have a lot of questions, or interconnected questions, it stretches the limits of what a web forum can provide. Im not a building scientist by trade this is just what I think in my head, could be totally off. The answers I have gotten have varied. I think I would paint the floor and put down some indoor/outdoor carpets. 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. I like carpet like Jonathan mentioned so I could add as a final layer synthetic area rugs. Can you install LifeProof flooring over concrete? Wait 3 hours for it to dry. The piece of plank left over from the name speaks for itself. It can be Thats right-installation can be challenging. Open the boxes of LifeProof vinyl flooring and place them in the area for at least 48 hours. Take the readings in at least 20 spots per 1,000 square feet of flooring and average the results. ft.): Buying a large roll of vinyl gets you a new floor for a very affordable price. * Through capillary action as moisture wicks through the masonry. You may not need all the tools and safety gear 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. Then I added another box for good measure. Second, you may want an extra vapor barrier above the subfloor to reduce any risk of moisture. But I can't speak to the specifics of that product whatsoever. This is especially true if you need to special order your color. Vinyl tile and vinyl plank flooring are easy to install, thanks to interlocking joints. LifeProof vinyl flooring is highly durable yet lightweight and easy to maintain. Ideally, the underlying surface should be as flat as possible. Title is pretty slef-explanatory. Want to check out some of the other DIYs in this space? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I opted not to removed our baseboards because they were in great shape. If so, do you recommend any brands that I should buy or brands to avoid? In a lot of cases, the critical ridges on the tongues and grooves broke off, meaning the piece couldnt be locked in place. It can be installed above, at and below grade in residential and commercial settings. The texture of carpet also can mask minor imperfections in the underlying surface. Also, it is 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. Although the Ive patched all settlement cracks. Install flooring parallel to the longest wall or focal point in the room. I get virtually no water in the basement and we got 27 days of rain almost in a row where I am, not a drop. 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.
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