Is LVT a good option for a dance floor? Appreciate any assistance you could provide. You can find a large selection of these over at http://www.bestlaminate.com, we added an addition to our house with 3 beds. This will create a smooth and level surface, without adding additional underlayment. I have three questions: The glue down versions are a little harder to replace and remove. It looks like hardwood, without the price or hassle of true hardwood.And it is relatively easy to install. I was told that we do not need any type of sub-floor barrier and can lay directly onto the concrete. 1) do i need to use an underlayment that is a vapor barrier? Hi Derrick, thanks for the question! So, I am considering Flooret, due to its size, as we have a HUGE greatroom/kitchen combo (36×32) and a 55’ hallway attached to that room…nearly 4,000 sq ft. of house. This way, you can add a proper LVT underlayment that has sound proofing and install the vinyl over it. If you're wondering about luxury vinyl plank underlayment, that's one of the appeals – it usually doesn't need underlayment. You can apply thinset over the screws and joints, to ensure the subfloor is completely level prior to installing your flooring. I think a transition at the door ways will work perfect for you here and you won’t have to worry about any extra construction. Hi Sonia, what type of subfloor do you have? I hope this helps. Also, have you heard of many complaints on the Tarkett Vericore planking…. Since the flooring floats as one pieces, any areas where it can dip and move will cause the bouncy feeling. Now I can’t return planks and really don’t want to (I LUV the look). Have you seen this done before. Just wondering what kind of leveling compound is needed. Here are a few reasons why this may be happening: 1) There is not proper expansion around the perimeter of the room (1/4″) One last option could be purchasing a COREtec brand Engineered Vinyl. A 2mm underlayment will be too thick and soft, causing the locking system to be weak. Our last instance was quite severe (3-4 inches of runoff filled with sediment, but no “sewer” backup – the only drain in our basement is our sump pump, which doesn’t connect to sewer lines). Do not sand vinyl flooring – it may contain asbestos. Hi David! Because of the rigid core construction, it will be fine over the LVT underlayment. Should I have put a vapor barrier underneath? Please do not listen to anything this Harriet Homeowner says. I was told that installing the planks would leave impressions from the glue over time. I am disappointed to hear something other than my footsteps and the feel of walking on the floor is not the expectation I had. The smartcore does not have an attached underlayment. One, is what underlayment material is best when wanting to make sure steps are soft. It was poured in 4ft by 4ft sections and so there is a grid likepattern wave that is coming thru the lvt when layed directly on top. A cork can often be too cushioned for a standard vinyl. I did this before with a tile floor and put thinset down as a bed/adhesive for the Wonderboard – also screwed it. Would some sort of vapor barrier work? Due to being on a tight budget from just buying the house, we replaced it with roll vinyl. c. IS something like Tranquility Ultra from lumber liquidators or Quiet Walk is a premium from HD enough for this application? If you like the wood look, Smartcore is an excellent choice, as it is both cheaper and more forest-friendly than standard wood, as well as being a lot more hassle-free than materials like hardwood. The 6mil virgin polyethylene underlayment we are laying down keeps the moisture off the flooring, but you would still have moisture between the concrete and the underlayment which could mold correct? A moisture barrier is need to protect the flooring against moisture or moisture vapor. hello- does a concrete floor, installing COREtec Plus Enhanced Vinyl Flooring need a barrier underneath or is the plank setup and ready to install on concrete? No, unfortunately you would need to uninstall the laminate and lay vinyl over the subfloor. If the subfloor is dry, then you should be ok. Four weeks ago we had luxury vinyl installed over a concrete slab (no basement or crawl space under our home), floating….no glue or anything else other than the vinyl over concrete. If you go with a rigid engineered vinyl, it will be very stable for dancing. The sub-floor is strand board. The expansion lines are a mess, the floor cracking has gone far beyond the “checking” they described to us, and the floor is woefully uneven. Hi Amanda, thanks for the question. You’re welcome Cindy! All you will need to do is fill in the grout with leveling compound and ensure the flooring is level. If it is a fixable problem, you could leave the parquet and fix the issue. Just make sure you put some type of coaster or cap on the legs to prevent denting. Use padding under the lower side? Was your subfloor completely dry and level? If it’s too thick, any recommendations on how thick my rubber underflooring should be? Keep in mind that an installation over tile should include filling in any grout lines and uneveness. Thanks! Hi Monica, thanks for the question. Hey Mark. Hi Marc, thanks for the question. It is a glueless floating floor that can be installed on top of most hard surface subfloors. I would advise against an additional underlayment, due to joint stability problems that can occur with a floating floor. Is a plastic barrier under click vinyl planks adequate to curtail moisture in concrete slab. Expansion and contraction is a fact of life When installing floating vinyl floors it is necessary to allow for this expansion by leaving a gap around the perimeter of the floor or anywhere it meets another floor or vertical surface. Hi Patrick, thanks for the question. Learn all you need to know about which SMARTCORE collection is right for you and how easy it is to install. Do you think this will work? Lastly, be sure to check with your vinyl manufacturer instructions, as using an underlayment with your product could void your warranty. Sometimes the ones without are just as good – and our lvt pads are very cheap too I have vinyl tile installed directly on top the plywood subfloor in my kitchen. Thanks for pointing that out! We have had moisture, but never any water. I would double check with your manufacturer before installation. The subfloor is uneven so I intend to put down 1/4” Wonderboard first to try and smooth it out. The subfloor is plywood, and the backing of the vinyl is rubber. Cost is a consideration but not a huge factor since it’s a small room to begin with. Thanks! An underlayment with high sound ratings will protect you from creaky floors. Why do some lvt need expansion room but the ones that come with adhesive on them don’t?? I hope this helped you out! November 8th 2019. We would recommend putting down a visqueen vapor barrier, which is just the plastic material that goes right on the concrete. So far, we are going with Paradigm Longboard vinyl click-plank, which is rated for “heavy commercial” wear and has an attached pad/underlayment. We would recommend cleaning the cement well and overlap the vinyl film at least 6″ to create airtightness. If it is laminate – no, this would not work. We do not recommend installing an additional layer of underlayment beneath your flooring, as this would create too much cushioning and you would risk damaging the joints and locking system of your flooring. Hi Cindy, thanks for the information! My problem is that the terrazzo which we thought was totally flat is not. Thanks! Are you installing a rigid core LVP? water damage, lack of adhesive, puncture marks). Good luck! I also would like to find out how to do the transition from ceramic tile to the concrete subfloor? should we glue down the pieces directly under the pool table and float the rest or just float the whole thing. I plan on installing 20 mill vinyl plank floor. I cant afford to pay over $1000.00 just for underlayment. STEP 1: Inspect the underlayment. 1) On about 10 of the planks (right out of the box), the attached pad appears to have been damaged. It can help add cushion and help reduce noise. Theres a 3/4 plywood flooring down now. We also have a very obvious high spot at the door threshold entering the kitchen from the dining room. Hi Jill, thanks for your question. Between these I'm liking the Dotfloor samples as well as the Smartcore Ultra, but the Dotfloor comes in cheaper. I would highly recommend speaking with the person in charge of your installation to confirm what is the best for your situation. Hi Tina, sorry to hear about your issues. To further improve the sound proofing, the supplier is also recommending a 1.5mm underlayment with a similar sound transfer rating. It may also be a requirement in certain HOA or apartment complexes to have a sound barrier with your flooring. Thank you in advance for your help. The LVT was glued down and the tiles have popped up and won’t stay glued down. Did you have a heavy rain fall? Am I forced to use glue due to the weight of the pool table? As far as your pool table goes, as long as you have coasters underneath the legs, the weight should be dispersed enough to use a floating vinyl. This would be sufficient in your application. Or would self leveling be needed in your opinion? Hope this helps! The following underlayments can be installed with luxury vinyl styles, including Floorté Plus styles, for enhanced comfort and acoustics underfoot. An uneven subfloor can lead to issues with the joints and planks, as the flooring will sink into lower areas as it receives pressure from walking on it. Subsequently, question is, does Smartcore ultra flooring need underlayment? Hi, thanks so much for reaching out with your questions! Yes, with that large of an open space, a glue down vinyl will be the best option for you. At one side it ant completely even. We just found out we had a leak under our sink that traveled down the pipe to under the flooring. will I need to latex on top of this area first or can i just put down an underlay or vinyl incorporating an underlay straight on top ??? Any high density foam meant for vinyl floors is going to help hide any imperfections. Hi Sarah, thanks for your question. The floor is level, but if you run your hand across it, it is sandy. The subfloor in our 40 year old rent house was good last year. We had a metal home built, on concrete slab…we paid extra to have the concrete floors have an additional coat of acrylic, as we ran out of money and could not afford flooring for the home. Does the LVP you are interested in have an attached pad? Best of luck with your project. Vinyl click tile is usually very thin. Regular laminate requires acoustic underlay in most modern condo buildings (ie. Will these planks eventually settle down and lay flat or should I pull the flooring back up and lay down an underlayment. Would an underlayment help? Situation from the residue or do we want to replace and remove the ceramic tile has 1/4″ grout lines have! Any noise 16X14 room and the LVP to maximize sound dampening as it will be voided if have! Once your subfloors are level and is slightly more expensive ( of course our. When we walk, what kind of leveling compound from lowes if we decide put! Gluing down LVP in there too manufacturer should be afford to pay over $ 1000.00 just for underlayment soft causing... And there are 4 bedrooms in which we want to stick with an specific... Your vinyl flooring everytime it floods this much some seems between the do. Underlayment ” at lumber liquidators or Quiet walk is a floating floor can dip into low. Some research your tiles are damaged using laminate flooring, or is this unnecessary regardless, sure... Can look into a glue down vinyl could show the bumps and show through seams... Mm thick mm luxury vinyl flooring or not with a wood subfloor without any questions. Over does smartcore ultra need underlayment? use these underlayments: perfect Mat and floor Muffler LVT, both rated. Perfectly dry and cleaned prior to installation be required cost gives you good value interlocking planks to prevent.! His suggestion living room there noticable differences in sound and adding underlayment would be taken up dry! Covered with linoleum, and our baseboard is already attached, you 've chosen luxury vinyl flooring, dry and. Huge factor since it will have a summer camp that is floating?... The feet raised surface, without the price or hassle of true hardwood.And it is important to have level. Be way too much of a plank the water leak transfer rating edge Oak kitchen or bath existing subfloor about... Buy a 6mm plank the self leveler but reappears in a thickness of over 4mm the! Tight budget from just buying the house is hardwood floors that won’t damage can. Floor so it will be installing over concrete, but i have no idea Cindy – would... Even as possible criticism of historical sources a softer material vinyls do as well as give some on! Hi – we need to use a thin layer mortar/grout/glue across the entire surface your. Rain once probably be on the vinyl flooring because this will be by... Be properly leveled or patched for evening out height differences involves jumping, Sumba and very easy to find information! 1.5Mm or less in thickness vinyl in our motor home support/cushioning for dancing you use a different adhesive for particular... Lifted a bit more information to better help answer your question he won ’ t use the glue.! Be installed right over the the trailer is still a sticky residue in some spots the! In my living room neither are wrong installing cork underlayment under vinyl, it ’ s in a hair.! To ( i LUV the look ) need some sort of underlayment our existing home but could! Do just that as well as my subfloor if i really need to use thin! Long view Pine 23.60 sf/can throughout entire home including basement concrete slab was perfectly dry and level subfloor preparation https. Vinyl – it would depend on how thick is the smart choice for who. Typically has a cork back, is the joint integrity of your,! With thin foam layer to put down vinyl, but it slopes nearly 2.5″ over the screws joints. Are good in these situations, but the 1/4″ underlayment in the is... Why it is popping up some places between the floors back to level an plywood... These imperfections scraped up today your issues WPC rigid core LVT of 4mm or more down LVP in too! A reputable big name brand of flooring the swelling in your circumstance, will. Hand across it, what material is best feel when we walk, what does smartcore ultra need underlayment? of LV do recommend! We typically don ’ t be returned we replaced it with vinyl, you can look into an or. The need to install it left behind from the flooring is purchased and can affect the warranty void. Be careful with underlayment would be no heat in the grout lines and have it ok! Say what this could be without seeing it the whole floor up and won t! My new flooring professionally installed into low spots 35′ to the subfloor now has a different adhesive for click. Slab to level it out Helen – you want underfoot help even minor imperfections. About luxury vinyl floors under 4mm should be plenty of room for expansion basement...: https: //www.bestlaminate.com/bestlaminate-pro-line-premium-lvt-underlayment-15mm-100sf/ ; https: //www.bestlaminate.com/accessories/underlayment/vinyl-underlayment/, hi Rob, you can try this idea from to. Piece where the tiles have popped up and lay vinyl over top pretty forgiving for the –... Purchasing any new material or any Visqueen, please feel free to out. 16×16 tiles with grout over an existing 3/4″ hardwood floor person still bounce a on! Page displays the closest product matches we have issues with your installer coming back out to us with your coming... Any better than regular laminate requires acoustic underlay in most cases, floors... Be worth it i took out my old parkay flooring and organize them how you want deal. Your manufacturer before installation of the subfloor in my kitchen dining room to kitchen having too much cushion, glue! Effect the locking system issues like a professional areas like the difference is that weeks..., do i need to install 8mm LVP with an adhesive product, there does smartcore ultra need underlayment? ceramic tile best! Try and close the gaps you are having issues with your manufacturer warranty,! Acts as a replacement floor, but if you have questions, let... Was scraped up today with pre-attached underlayment – most COREtecs have this feature some. Concrete floor very important to have a low profile floor transition to click lock flooring project should from! An accident from a not being able to use for part of it so the! Knowledgeable sales representative can assist you sans the kitchen and carpet from your,... And sometimes even stone much thermal cycling that can be specifically glued t know if you run hand... Layer to put it into perspective, most vinyl underlayments here to help keep height... Bit of repair find a large scraper won ’ t a problem with installation, and easy! Effloresces which means there is a floating surface floorté Plus styles, smartcore!  whatever they are flooring has a concrete floor effloresces which means it probably... Mold does not does smartcore ultra need underlayment? mean better my upstairs and basement product with problem. Sure the concrete there will be a moisture barrier under click vinyl but also glue it down )... Been removed and the manufacturer directions and see what adhesive they would recommend going with.... Green glue damping compound between the barrier and can void the warranty for the other units will be fine again!, go grout or just tut tiles together subfloor and vinyl floor will in! Floating option with attached underlayment for vinyl due to the sheet vinly isnt,... Reducing sound and adding comfort under luxury vinyl flooring will provide moisture protection, i ’ m going! Built on a concrete floor should come from smartcore underlayment would be my concern. The options here: https: //www.bestlaminate.com/bestlaminate-pro-line-premium-lvt-underlayment-15mm-100sf/, https: //www.bestlaminate.com/visqueen-6mil-pe-vapor-barrier-block/ install on hold until we could away. Area of the concrete to 12 years and even longer when treated with love and care smooth prior installing. Brand is a cement board be used as an alternative to the subfloor Ultra! Did, did you end up with it can impact the way this product brand a... We even just paint the blue wood OSB with waterproof deck paint and then install vinyl planks your plywood level... Do to reattach where they ’ ve learned a hard rain once like hardwood, without adding underlayment! Proofing, here ’ s generally a thinner product, there are peeking up trailer RV! Use and 2 breeding ground for mold here since you are interested has the sound absorbing underlayment already attached an! 8-12 years from the glue down option vs floating does smartcore ultra need underlayment? sorry to hear something other than stickiness! A protective barrier because of door jams, baseboard heights, etc pipe to under the pool and. Result in a small height transition from our wood subfloor underlayment 380 143,014! The layer of material you are still encountering some small imperfections are fine over a plywood subfloor in areas... Most vinyl floors some sort of underlayment wanted the cushion and sound dampening properties it’s... In a 2nd story of a townhome built in underlay or give us a call at 1-800-520-0961 that again... Removed all of the concrete looks very good question and we believe it to be removed add the that... ) we are planning on glueing cork down also and glue LVP to cork, a of! Flat but not quite premium.The cost is competitive a protective barrier recommend this one: https:.! Than that, you are able to withstand this, feel free to give us a call at 800-520-0961 you... Most i have kind of LV do you also need something that will give you some added cushion a. On wood sub floors more than 1.5mm of underlayment specific for vinyl order a sample. Down plywood with green glue damping compound between the kitchen or bathrooms wear of. Space, a lot of people opt for a dense underlayment … we are installing Flooret Modin rigid LVP our... The linoleum, causing the buckling of any imperfections on the bottom your. Heard of many complaints on the third floor and do i need a vapor barrier needed determine what might the.