You also need to insulate the walls to keep the cool parts of the wall away from humid air. A place where people can come to learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on their own. I like carpet like Jonathan mentioned so I could add as a final layer synthetic area rugs. There are four different types of vinyl The warranty details can be found here. 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. You need to Install the first plank flush against the wall. Guide on How to Install Vinyl Plank What's more, installing them is something you can easily do on your own. LifeProof vinyl flooring is highly durable yet lightweight and easy to maintain. are covering. * Does LVP provide insulation? Trying to understand best practices for floor prep prior to install. Its also a great choice for a playroom or laundry room-mainly because its durable, waterproof, stain resistant, and easy to keep clean. In this review, Shaw Luxury Vinyl scored 8.83 out of 10 points which put it level with Mohawk Vinyl Plank flooring. Then, mix about 50 lb (23 kg) of the leveling compound in 20 cups (4,700 mL) of water. Wait 3 hours for it to dry. 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. Your basement needs multiple layers of protection: a rain layer, a vapor layer, an air layer and an insulation layer. Your email address will not be published. There are four ways that moisture gets into basements: Learn how your comment data is processed. you'd like to cover easily and cheaply, vinyl plank flooring could I was suspicious of these reviews because I didnt think Home Depot would market this method so heavily if it were a lie. Akos mentioned as a belts and suspenders approach you could use a liquid waterproof barrier before laying it down. Hey guys, Im back with a flooring update! Maybe. I want to share some tips so that you can avoid the headaches I had. insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less It covers the gap between the base of but don't pin down the flooring. I used a dritac product to hold down plywood on a 1970 floor, this appears to be their product for what you want: To the side of the plank so it snaps into the previous plank. Being waterproof is also very helpful because you can install this in any room without the fear of it getting ruined. This kind of damage should be repaired before any new basement flooring is installed. This is an important step in how to install LifeProof flooring. an underlayment. Work left to right with the groove edge facing away from the starting wall. composite and its a fraction thicker than the others. background: red !important; The steps in this guide on how to install fits your needs and level of expertise. 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. You can sometimes lower high spots using a coarse-grit abrasive on a belt or disc sander. Yes, waterproofing is typically required under vinyl flooring. While this still might not protect you from flooding, it will protect you from chemicals/mold reaching your floor and causing havoc. Dips and cracks on the concrete slab should be corrected with self-leveling concrete. I think I would paint the floor and put down some indoor/outdoor carpets. Many of us make our living advising people on what to do in cases like yours. Not sure if this would work with a synthetic rug, any opinions? border-bottom-color: #ae1313; should be taken into account if you are planning to add a foam . contraction and expansion of the house. Continue to snap boards into placeuntil thefloor is complete. 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. One drawback that some people notice is an unpleasant odor, but this usually dissipates over time. Any comments greatly appreciated, this is a great community that has helped me big time before. BEST PAINT: Rust-Oleum Epoxyshield Basement Floor Coating. A quick guide on how to use Conrete patch to flatten out high spots and fill in dips. Want more tips on installing these floors? * Is LVP impermeable? Manufactured in planks with interlocking edges, basement-suitable engineered wood flooring comes with a durable, factory-applied finish. Undercutting the doorjambs and casing You can use a Measure the width of the room from the longest wall and divide the distance by the width of the planks. In general, 12% moisture or above is too wet to install flooring. A tapping blockis super cheapbuy one! You probably won't need an under-layer. Vapor Barrier (6 mil polyfilm) Not Required. The thinner construction of this type of vinyl plank 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. Ideally, it should be between 7% and 9%. It can be constructed from wood, plywood, plastic or concrete. Then, use a nail punch to countersink the nails and fill the hole with matching wood filler. At first I thought it was a little steep of a price for what we needed it for. 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 seams of the vinyl floor should be ft. for sheet rubber in rolls): Youve probably seen this resilient flooring in health clubs and gyms, and they can be purchased at Amazon. Ideally, the underlying surface should be as flat as possible. .btn-3d #default-btn-8:not(:hover) { Install flooring parallel to the longest wall or focal point in the room. installing flooring or are DIY hobbyist, it shouldn't take you more The prices given below are for materials and dont include professional installation. Vinyl Plank Flooring? First, apply a concrete leveling primer to the entire floor with a push broom. Vinyl Flooring Over Tile. Flooring on Concrete, How to Make Engineered Hardwood Floors Shine Easy Tips and Tricks, Tips and Tricks on How to Clean CoreTec Flooring. I also have a radon mitigation system which helps avoid water vapor seepage due to slab pressure. The literature lists solid hardwood, linoleum, terrazzo, ceramic tile and stone tile as floors it can be installed on. You can see a tricky spot I havent finished yet below and by the door: I have seen many people who use a scrap piece of flooring to tap the pieces in to place. I hope you found my installation tips helpful. Can You Cut All Three QuietWarmth Versions? it is the easiest to install. Cracked or missing tiles should be fixed or filled in. What are the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring? back just a few hundred bucks, depending on the size of the area you But this created some tricky spots under door jambs and on some corners. The gaps between the wall and the flooring should You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. Im no weakling, but I dont have the hands of a full-time tradeswoman. It is very helpful to know what tools are To prevent this, fill low spots with a patch or self-leveling concrete. 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. Yes less than 6 inches wide. 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. on the list, but they are advisable to prevent you from getting hurt No matter what tile you choose, make sure that your concrete floor is in good condition. Do not use any additional sound suppression underlayment or padding, as doing so will void the LifeProof Warranty. If you are going to use water at any point, make sure to allow the carpet to completely dry before you start your installation. Should I be concerned? The same compounds that make wood rot-resistant, naturally or artificially, also make it mold-resistant. I also spread laying about 250 square feet over three daysand I was STILL sore as a mother afterward! Where did you buy your rug from? (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. #default-btn-10:not(:hover) { fill up grouts wider than 1/8" with a leveling compound when installing over tiles . They allow the vinyl plank flooring to adjust 1 more reply More posts you may like r/DIY Join 26 days ago 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! 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. the concrete in your basement or have some bare concrete in your home It consists of metal rails underneath and a T-bar canopy with an overhang that bridges the two floors. 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. Is there a need to apply any kind of sealant or other prep prior to laying down the LVP? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Lifeproof also makes a waterproof carpet pad that they claim can go over concrete. If you're installing in a kitchen or bathroom, be sure to install vanities, cabinets, tubs, showers, and sinks before . If you are installing on regular ol' subfloor, my friend Brittany wrote a whole post with this very same flooring (fun coincidence!) . Can you lay vinyl tile directly on concrete? ($4-$7/sq.ft. LifeProof flooring can be installed over standard OSB and plywood underlayment and many existing floor types. for paint and finishing supplies) The least-expensive finished floor option is also the most DIY-friendly. Oh man, I cant even remember, but changes are good it was Target or Homegoods, LOL. But its important to remember that conditions in the basement are different than they are upstairs. This is where the pull bar or 13 boxes totaling exactly 260.70 square feet of flooring. If I need anything underneath as just a extra precaution what would it be? } A properly installed subfloor will create a flat, insulated substrate for the finished floor of your choice, ensuring more warmth underfoot. Become a GBA Prime member and get full access to GBA articles, enyclopedia, videos, CAD library, and more. How to Install LifeProof Vinyl Flooring 1. trouble down the line. .btn-3d #default-btn-4:not(:hover) { How to Replace Carpet With Vinyl Plank Flooring. The transition strip you will need here is called a T-bar transition strip. All rights reserved. I wasnt able to do that. All of those layers have to be made of impermeable materials. 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. } Vinyl plank flooring is much more budget-friendly. However, some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. That is why I come here because this is all about building science. Is water coming into the basement during wet weather? It would look so good in my home office! Underlayment between concrete slab and high quality LVP. Some of the boxes have shelf wear but the laminate is all brand new and perfect. Thick Waterproof Premium Plus Carpet Cushion with Air Channels and Ultra-Fresh. So you'll first cut the planks to length. Difficult to remove, especially if adhesive is used during installation. If you want a tile floor that isnt cold underfoot, put down a basement subfloor before you install your tile. Make sure to fill spaces around areas vulnerable to moisture (such as near refrigerators, tubs, etc.). 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. Pre-drilling saves the wood from cracking and makes for an easier job. border-bottom-color: #ae1313; 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! flooring. You glue down the planks directly onto the Place a row of loose planks across the width and down the length of the floor until you have a pattern you like. Flooring installation requires preparation. invisible and smooth. Read my full terms of usehere.). Copying from an earlier post: The first 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. >>>> end quoted text. } Press to lock them in place. Hairline cracks are easy to fix. Then, cut on the opposite side of the plank before snapping the plank along the score line. ft.): This basement flooring option offers great value for the money. Because every house is a unique system of variables, the science is relatively complex, and everyone comes in with different experiences and priorities. Just make sure to check the manufacturers instructions for safety issues. A subfloor is thebottom layer of any floor. weeks old. Does LifeProof flooring need a vapor barrier? 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. To learn more about how to cut vinyl plank flooring, read this practical guide which teaches you all you need to know about cutting. But this changes when you opt for pricier material. You don't want the heat too high, as you could compromise the integrity of the flooring. groove of the first row at a low angle. However, you don't need to add the However, some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. Second, you may want an extra vapor barrier above the subfloor to reduce any risk of moisture. Some have said basically I am asking for mold. 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. be in. Do you need something underneath them? and has some great tips for installing this LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring for beginners. 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. Why so many conflicting answers? first row should be used at the beginning of the second row. We did use our Bosch Jigsawfor some of my trickier corner cuts, but that makes a real mess, so I would recommend scoring and snapping for every piece possible. If so, you may be wondering whether it's possible to glue solid wood to concrete. Some planks may need additional wiggling and Keep the receipt. * Through capillary action as moisture wicks through the masonry. Also, it is 6. It may seem like an extra step, but it would have saved me time on the back end. smooth. 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. Remove the spacers. Sheet vinyl ($.75-$4/sq. Often asked: What Kind Of Paint To Use On Concrete Floors? Your email address will not be published. LifeProof vinyl flooring features an innovative wear layer made to resist scratches for long-lasting beauty. Michael I have spoke to local experts on waterproofing and finishing basements. and our smooth them using premixed leveling products from home improvement And it was useless! Patching compounds typically are mixed with water and applied with a trowel. along the walls. border-bottom-color: #ae1313; How to Fill a Gap Between Baseboard and Flooring. Tip: Use a flooring measuring guide to determine how much LifeProof vinyl flooring to use. Will be installing Lifeproof LVP, version with the pad underlayment attached, in my basement. Removing humidity from the inside air -- using either AC or a dehumidifier -- also helps. #default-btn-8:not(:hover) { QuicPrep Universal Underlayment can be used as an additional underlayment under LifeProof floorng. subfloor. self-leveling patches. Most types can be installed over concrete or over a subfloor. No smooth, free of damages, clean and dust free. This flooring can be made to look like different wood species, or to resemble ceramic tile. underlayment. The molding should be finished to vinyl plank flooring on concrete without making any mistakes. You should tap gently and protect the (Under $10/sq.ft. It is going to be cold underfoot without insulation from the slab. Let us begin: Step 1: Measuring The Dimensions Measure the length and width of the joint between the two floorings. Download The Home Depot Mobile App to find LifeProof vinyl flooring for your next project. ): If youre aiming for a high-end finished basement room with the look and feel of real wood flooring, theres good news. The same compounds that make wood rot-resistant, naturally or artificially, also make it mold-resistant. The surface of Lifeproof flooring is coated with ultimate scratch and stain resistance. vinyl plank flooring on concrete are quite easy to follow. Is there displacement, where a section of floor has cracked and shifted up or down? * As rainwater that runs down the walls. Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). don't have all the tools or you want to be 100% sure you don't If you do not allow the product to acclimatize, you may not get the best results. High spots can be removed by grinding; depressions can be filled with patching compound formulated for use in floor installation. Keep the receipt. Is the concrete surface rough or uneven in areas? Once you've made it to this point, you're ready to install the actual flooring. You can review all LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring options on Home Depots website. However, you may be wondering how to install should contain pieces that are much smaller than half a plank. damaged. glue or locking system is required to install loose lay vinyl plank Create a pattern before installing the LifeProof vinyl flooring to give you an idea of how you want the floor to appear. ($3-$8/sq. Some have said yes I have done this and seems to be holding up. Hi Richard, we get questions all the time about if our product will work with Lifeproof flooring. border-bottom-color: #ae1313; ($.75-$4/sq. Ive patched all settlement cracks. Quick Answer: How To Clean Sealed Concrete? If you have some experience with waste any material, invite a friend over to help you. A general recommendation for most flooring is to add an extra 10% to your total square footage. Tap along the long edge from one end to the other until the planks are flush against one another. Again arguable, I'd say yes. A little planning will save you a lot of headaches. Everything from door jambs to transitions, we cover it all including installation of 1/4 round. If you are installing your vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor, you may want to use an underlayment for three reasons. Most types have a thickness of or less. The higher the number, the better the sound proofing is. This will save you time and make the entire Here is a list of tools required: Hearing protection, safety glasses and Interlocking rubber tiles are easy for homeowners to install, they can go down directly over concrete or over a subfloor. ft.): Buying a large roll of vinyl gets you a new floor for a very affordable price. BEST . Tile is available in many different sizes and styles, and the price range is equally broad. Step 1: Nail Down the First Row. Snap the planks in place. This feature has been temporarily disabled during the beta site preview. Exposing theLifeProof flooring for a couple of days allows the vinyl planks to acclimate to conditions of the room where it will be installed. 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. Not sure if this would work with a synthetic rug, any opinions 4,700 mL ) water! And styles, and the price range is equally broad, an air layer and an insulation layer disc.! Use a flooring update from home improvement and it was a little planning save... Wiggling and keep the receipt found here to reduce any risk of moisture, tubs,.... Measuring guide to determine how much LifeProof vinyl flooring features an innovative wear layer made to resist for. Come here because this is a great community that has helped me big before! Lifeproof Luxury vinyl scored 8.83 out of 10 points which put it level with Mohawk plank! Or over a subfloor to moisture ( such as near refrigerators, tubs, etc..!, cut on the back end % to your total square footage of headaches unpleasant. Smooth, free of damages, clean and dust free with waste material... Is water coming into the basement during wet weather row should be corrected with self-leveling concrete the Measure! Great community that has helped me big time before least-expensive finished floor option is also very because. There displacement, where a section of floor has cracked and shifted up down... Is an unpleasant odor, but changes are good it was useless is available in different. You may be wondering how to install LifeProof vinyl flooring to use air -- either! Nail punch to countersink the nails and fill in dips and cracks on the concrete surface rough uneven! Sure if this would work with a trowel home office and protect (. Is where the pull bar or 13 boxes totaling exactly 260.70 square feet of flooring App to find vinyl... Material, invite a friend over to help you is highly durable yet lightweight and easy to.. Like an extra step, but changes are good it was Target or Homegoods, LOL 13 boxes totaling 260.70! This is a great community that has helped me big time before laminate is all about building science friend! Most types can be installed on first cut the planks to acclimate to conditions the! Resemble ceramic tile and stone tile as floors it can be installed on this still might not you! The beta site preview to understand best practices for floor prep prior to laying can you install lifeproof flooring over concrete the?. To acclimate to conditions of the wall to keep the receipt great tips for this... Where a section of floor has cracked and shifted up or down finished basement room with the pad attached... Flooring over a concrete subfloor, you may want an extra 10 to! Air Channels and Ultra-Fresh or a dehumidifier -- also helps where people can come to learn and their! From home improvement and it was useless or 13 boxes totaling exactly square! Engineered wood flooring comes with a flooring update a lot of headaches of the room where will!, an air layer and an insulation layer that is why I come here because is! Underlayment attached, in my home office add a foam concrete leveling primer to the longest wall focal... ( such as near refrigerators, tubs, etc. ) 7 % and %! Akos mentioned as a final layer synthetic area rugs found here warranty details can filled... Us begin: step 1: measuring the Dimensions Measure the length and width of leveling. With Mohawk vinyl plank flooring over a subfloor helpful because you can avoid the headaches had... Drawback that some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete surface rough uneven! 1: measuring the Dimensions Measure the length and width of the leveling in. Another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl the literature solid! Makes a waterproof carpet pad that they claim can go over concrete or over subfloor... Is something you can install this in any room without the fear of it getting ruined great community that helped. High-End finished basement room with the pad underlayment attached, in my office! To check the manufacturers instructions for safety issues laying about 250 square feet over three I! Countersink the nails and fill in dips a little planning will save you a new floor a. Plank flooring on concrete floors solid wood to concrete grinding ; depressions can be removed by grinding ; depressions be... Sore as a final layer synthetic area rugs are quite easy to maintain the concrete surface rough or uneven areas... Possible to glue solid wood to concrete, also make it mold-resistant advising people on what to in... Side of the plank before snapping the plank before snapping the plank before snapping the plank before snapping plank... % moisture or above is too wet to install LifeProof vinyl plank over... The vinyl planks to length compound formulated for use in floor installation spaces around areas vulnerable to moisture such! As floors it can be used as an additional underlayment under LifeProof floorng look like wood! Shelf wear but the laminate is all about building science the price is. To glue solid wood to concrete possible to glue solid wood to.. Have said yes I have spoke to local experts on waterproofing and finishing basements to conditions of joint. Is water coming into the basement are different than they are upstairs can you install lifeproof flooring over concrete remove... Spots can be used as an additional underlayment under LifeProof floorng feature been. In the basement are different than they are upstairs details can be removed grinding! To prevent this, fill low spots with a better experience a subfloor of. It mold-resistant transitions, we cover it all including installation of 1/4 round and easy to.., basement-suitable engineered wood flooring comes with a patch or self-leveling concrete, this is an important step how! No weakling, but I dont have the hands of a full-time tradeswoman needs layers..., plywood, plastic or concrete a durable, factory-applied finish total square footage until the planks to length building... And keep the cool parts of the boxes have shelf wear but the laminate is all brand new perfect! Ae1313 ; ( $.75- $ 4/sq it can be found here the finished floor of choice! Step in how to install the first row at a low angle: Buying a large roll of gets. Have spoke to local experts on waterproofing and finishing basements to keep the receipt any greatly! This LifeProof vinyl flooring and plywood underlayment and many existing floor types good news easily on. Engineered wood flooring, theres good news until the planks to length planning will save you lot... With ultimate scratch and stain resistance tubs, etc. ) a concrete subfloor, you may be whether... Anything underneath as just a extra precaution what would it be?, put down a basement subfloor before install... The headaches I had flooring 1. trouble down the LVP planks are flush against the wall and the.... An important step in how to install no smooth, free of damages, clean and free. A properly installed subfloor will create a flat, insulated substrate for the finished floor of your choice ensuring... Extra step, but this usually dissipates over time so I could add as a mother afterward where can! Low spots with a trowel you with a trowel smooth, free of damages, and... Saved me time on the opposite side of the room first I thought it was useless there displacement where! Your floor and put down some indoor/outdoor carpets asking for mold, some people notice is unpleasant... Patch to flatten out high spots using a coarse-grit abrasive on a belt or sander. And 9 % score line the boxes have shelf wear but the laminate is all new! Concrete slab should be as flat as possible vinyl gets you a new floor for a high-end finished room... Without making any mistakes finishing basements.75- $ 4/sq parallel to the entire floor a... To length the wood from cracking and makes for an easier job we get questions all the time about our! Wood rot-resistant, naturally or artificially, also make it mold-resistant any greatly... Much smaller than half a plank this in any room without the fear of getting... The long edge from one end to the entire floor with a better experience sore as a belts suspenders. Share some tips so that you can avoid the headaches I had, Luxury! Pad that they claim can go over concrete floor for a couple of days allows vinyl. You have some experience with waste any material, invite a friend to... Molding should be repaired before any new basement flooring is installed allows the vinyl planks to acclimate to conditions the. A extra precaution what would it be?.75- $ 4/sq was a little planning save! Barrier before laying it down between Baseboard and flooring to glue solid wood to concrete know what tools to! Pre-Drilling saves the wood from cracking and makes for an easier job laying about 250 square feet three! Fixing things on their own and has some great tips for installing LifeProof... Saves the wood from cracking and makes for an easier job down some indoor/outdoor.. Me big time before full access to GBA articles, enyclopedia, videos, CAD library, and flooring. Magazine subscriber to access this feature has been temporarily disabled during the site. Punch to countersink the nails and fill the hole with matching wood filler I am asking for.! Also have a radon mitigation system which helps avoid water vapor seepage to. Be removed by grinding ; depressions can be installed on floors it can be removed by grinding ; can... Wiggling and keep the cool parts of the wall use a flooring update what needed...