Quck answer
To install vinyl plank on concrete floors, follow these steps:
1. Prepare the concrete surface by cleaning it thoroughly and removing any existing flooring or adhesive.
2. Fill in any cracks or uneven areas with a self-leveling compound and allow it to dry completely.
3. Measure and cut the vinyl planks to fit the room, leaving a small gap around the edges for expansion.
4. Apply a thin layer of adhesive to the concrete using a trowel or roller, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Lay the vinyl planks starting from one corner of the room and working your way towards the opposite wall.
6. Press the planks firmly onto the adhesive, ensuring they are tightly fitted together.
7. Use a roller to smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles in the vinyl.
8. Allow the adhesive to dry completely before walking on the floor.
By following these steps, you can easily install vinyl plank on concrete floors and enjoy a durable and attractive flooring solution.
If you want a long-lasting floor covering for your concrete subfloor that can resist wear and tear, vinyl flooring is a great option. Vinyl plank flooring and vinyl tile are the two most common formats available. If you prefer the look of hardwood, you should choose plank flooring. Most plank flooring has a wood pattern, and the planks are long and thin like wood or laminate flooring. Vinyl tile typically displays a stone or tile pattern and has square tiles.
Luxury vinyl plank flooring, which is the highest-quality plank flooring, has a rigid core made from wood plastic composite (WPC) and an insulating backing. You can also choose a less-expensive product without the core or the backing, which is more suitable for utility spaces. Less-expensive products often come with glue-together strips, and some types must be glued to the subfloor, but the majority have a locking profile similar to the one on laminate planks, and you can install them using the same procedure as you use to install laminates.
Preparing a concrete subfloor for vinyl flooring requires very little preparation. The surface has to be flat, and a moisture barrier is necessary even though vinyl is waterproof. Vinyl plank flooring with a robust backing has some insulation value but not much, so if you want the cold concrete to feel more comfortable, you may have to install a thermal underlayment or even build a raised plywood subfloor.
Preparation of a Concrete Subfloor for Vinyl
Newly poured concrete releases water vapor and typically needs from 120 to 150 days to dry out before it’s ready to accept flooring. Vinyl plank flooring is water-resistant, and if it has a WPC core, it’s waterproof, so it won’t be damaged by the moisture. However, mold and mildew will grow underneath it, which can lead to health problems down the road. If you select glue-down plank flooring, the excess moisture will degrade the adhesive and cause lifting.
Armstrong Flooring recommends the maximum moisture vapor emission for floating vinyl floors to be no more than 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet over a 24-hour period. For glue-together and glue-down floors, it’s between 8 and 12 pounds, so be sure to check the moisture requirements for the product you purchase.
If the concrete has high spots, you need to grind them down, and if it has low spots or cracks, you need to fill them with concrete patching compound. When you run a straightedge over the floor, you should find no more than a 3/16-inch change over a 10-foot run to prevent vinyl flooring from separating.
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Providing Additional Insulation
To improve the insulation of a floating vinyl floor on concrete, you can install a thermal underlayment, preferably made of cork, fiber-felt, or a similar material. If you use an underlayment that doesn’t include a moisture barrier, it’s a good idea to install a sheet of plastic underneath it for insurance. Plastic sheeting is easy to install, and it won’t add much time or expense to the overall procedure.
To achieve maximum comfort, you can create a plywood subfloor using sleeper joists or a subflooring system like DRICORE tiles. This method separates the floor covering from the concrete and allows moisture to escape from a below-grade subfloor. Adding insulation between the joists before installing the plywood will make the floor feel warmer. However, this subfloor will increase the height of the finished floor, which may create problems at doorways and transitions to other floors, requiring planning.
You can install floating vinyl flooring on a subfloor with radiant heat as long as the temperature does not exceed the manufacturer’s recommendation, typically around 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If the subfloor is dry and has a backing and a robust core, you can safely skip the underlayment. However, glue-down vinyl plank flooring is not recommended on a subfloor with radiant heat.
It is crucial to follow the flooring manufacturer’s requirements for installation over concrete. Before starting the installation, remove the baseboards, and reinstall them afterward, or plan on nailing quarter-round molding to cover the 1/4-inch expansion gap and hold the floor down. Always have enough flooring on hand to complete the job. Measure the area of the floor in square feet, add 10 percent, divide this number by the number of square feet in a box, and buy that number of boxes to account for cutting waste and other issues.
When the new flooring arrives, let it acclimate for at least 48 hours by opening the boxes and spreading the planks around the installation area. Mix up the planks from different boxes to ensure color uniformity on the finished floor. Undercut the door jambs with a handsaw while waiting and use a piece of flooring as a guide to cut enough to fit the flooring underneath.
To install click-lock vinyl plank flooring, measure the room and draw a line to avoid large triangular gaps in the last row. Calculate the difference in width at both ends of the room, measure half the distance from the wall at the wider end, add 1/4 inch for expansion, and snap a chalk line from this mark to the opposite corner. Lay the first row along this line.
Step 2: Starting the First Row
Using a utility knife, cut the tongues off the planks for the first row and lay them end to end. As you go along, snap the ends together. If the last plank is less than 6 inches, trim a few inches from the first plank and move the row back to fit a longer plank at the end. Place spacers between the planks in the first row and the wall to maintain the required expansion gap.
Step 3: Cutting with a Utility Knife
A saw is not necessary for cutting vinyl plank flooring. To make a crosscut, draw a line with a pencil and straightedge, score the line with a knife, and snap along the score line. Curves and notches can also be cut with a knife, although it may require multiple passes to cut completely through the material.
Step 4: Installing the Second Row
Begin the second row with the offcut from the first row, ensuring that the end is no closer than 6 inches to the end joint in the first row. Maintain a 6-inch stagger pattern on the entire floor for stability and appearance. Because vinyl is flexible, snapping the end to the previous plank and then snapping it lengthwise to the next one is the easiest way to install a plank. A tapping block and mallet may be necessary to lock the plank in place.
Step 5: Continuing to the Opposite Wall
Continue installing planks, cutting notches and curves as necessary to fit them in place. The stagger pattern should be as random as possible to avoid creating a step pattern or an H-pattern with joints aligned by one or two planks.
Step 6: Installing the Last Row
For an unsquare room, install the last row plank by plank rather than cutting all the planks at once. Measure the gap from one end of the first plank to the other, add 1/4 inch, draw a line on the plank, and cut along the line with a knife. Use a laminate pull bar to draw the plank against the next one and install all planks in the last row using the same technique.
Step 7: Installing the Baseboards
Use baseboard material wide enough to cover the gaps. If the gaps are wider than 3/4 inches due to an unsquare room, quarter-round foot molding may be necessary to widen standard 3/4-inch baseboards. Nail the baseboards to the wall and the foot molding to the baseboards, but do not nail or glue anything to the floor to prevent the planks from moving and causing the floor to buckle.
Installing Glue-Together and Glue-Down Planks
Installing glue-together planks is similar to installing click-lock planks, except that instead of snapping them together, you remove the backing from the glue strips, butt the planks together, and press down to seal the adhesive. Avoid getting dust on the glue strip after removing the backing to prevent the planks from lifting due to the glue not adhering properly.
When installing glue-down planks, apply mastic onto the subfloor with a 1/4-inch notched trowel and place the planks in the mastic. Use a knife to cut the planks and leave an expansion gap to avoid buckling. Once all planks are in place, roll the floor with a floor roller to press the planks into the adhesive and prevent any bubbles or lifting.
FAQ
1. Can vinyl plank flooring be installed directly on concrete floors?
Yes, vinyl plank flooring can be installed directly on concrete floors. However, it is important to ensure that the concrete floor is clean, dry, and level before installation. Any cracks or imperfections in the concrete should be repaired or filled in. Additionally, it is recommended to use a moisture barrier or underlayment between the concrete and the vinyl plank to prevent any moisture or condensation from seeping through. This will help to protect the vinyl plank flooring and prolong its lifespan.
2. What tools and materials are needed for installing vinyl plank on concrete floors?
To install vinyl plank on concrete floors, you will need a few basic tools and materials. These include a tape measure, utility knife or vinyl cutter, straightedge or T-square, pry bar, rubber mallet, and a flooring adhesive suitable for vinyl plank flooring. Additionally, you will need the vinyl plank flooring itself, any necessary underlayment or moisture barrier, and transition strips if transitioning to another type of flooring. It is important to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific vinyl plank flooring you are using, as they may have additional recommendations or requirements.
3. Can vinyl plank flooring be installed in basements on concrete floors?
Yes, vinyl plank flooring can be installed in basements on concrete floors. Basements often have higher levels of moisture and humidity, so it is important to take extra precautions to prevent moisture-related issues. Installing a moisture barrier or underlayment between the concrete and the vinyl plank is highly recommended. It is also important to ensure that the basement is properly sealed and waterproofed to minimize the risk of water damage. Additionally, it is advisable to choose a vinyl plank flooring that is specifically designed for basements or high moisture areas, as these typically have enhanced moisture resistance properties.