Vinyl "click and lock" laminate and subfloor
#1
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Vinyl "click and lock" laminate and subfloor
Hi,
I was going to install hardwood in our lake cottage, but a neighbor convinced me to look at the solid vinyl click and lock laminate. I was dead set against using regular laminate, as I know there will be some water tracked in and out from the lake. I have had a bad experience with water getting between the cracks of laminate and the seams "heaving up". But it sounds like this will not happen with this solid vinyl. And it looks just like wood to us, so I am just looking to see if anyone has had any experience with it. As good as advertised for the long haul?
Next question is on underlayment....some say YES to the foam rolled underlayment, some say not necessary. There is 3/4 in plywood subfloor over a crawl space. I am about to add another level of 3/4 in order to bring a carpeted area up to the same height as the rest of the house. The plan is to install the vinyl laminate everywhere.
Any pros or cons I should be aware of? Advice on underlayment (I am leaning yes to minimize squeaks)
Anything else to be aware of?
Thanks for any feedback
Nathan
I was going to install hardwood in our lake cottage, but a neighbor convinced me to look at the solid vinyl click and lock laminate. I was dead set against using regular laminate, as I know there will be some water tracked in and out from the lake. I have had a bad experience with water getting between the cracks of laminate and the seams "heaving up". But it sounds like this will not happen with this solid vinyl. And it looks just like wood to us, so I am just looking to see if anyone has had any experience with it. As good as advertised for the long haul?
Next question is on underlayment....some say YES to the foam rolled underlayment, some say not necessary. There is 3/4 in plywood subfloor over a crawl space. I am about to add another level of 3/4 in order to bring a carpeted area up to the same height as the rest of the house. The plan is to install the vinyl laminate everywhere.
Any pros or cons I should be aware of? Advice on underlayment (I am leaning yes to minimize squeaks)
Anything else to be aware of?
Thanks for any feedback
Nathan
#2
Nathan - Send us a link to the specific flooring you are considering. Different Manufacturers set different requirements of their products and the level of preparation needed. Some vinyls need a super smooth base, some may require some form of underlayment. I also want to cross check your specific as the industry sometimes intermingles words so that you think you are buying one thing and it turns out to be another. Labeling Laminates as engineers is one of them, but your specific product will give us the answers you are looking for.
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Hi there
Here is the link to what I'm looking to install.
Thanks for your advice
Products | Smartcore
SmartCore by Natural Floors Canberra Acacia 50SLV503 (Lowe's) information from Consumer Reports
Here is the link to what I'm looking to install.
Thanks for your advice
Products | Smartcore
SmartCore by Natural Floors Canberra Acacia 50SLV503 (Lowe's) information from Consumer Reports
#4
You usually can tell a lot about the flooring by reading the warranty and what is not covered. The thing that stuck out to me is the line in the warranty about exposure to cold. This is a lake cottage and you may "wnterize" it in the off season where the heating system is not operable. It says that your warranty is void if exposed to temperatures less than 32 degrees. Which I think it said that you need to use the "glue down" method and not the floating method. Read that passage closely and see how it pertains to your situation. Likewise, if it is in the desert and is subject to extremes of heat when not in use that may also be an issue. From a waterproof perspective, it looks like a good match and minimal prep to the subfloor other than checking for flatness.
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Wow - great job reading the fine print. I am in Michigan, and it indeed get cold, however we do keep the furnace on over the winter- at least at 50 degrees to keep pipes from freezing, etc. We used to winterize it - but we no longer do, and spend some time out there over the winters also, so I am not concerned about going below 32. It is also shaded quite a bit, so it never gets extremely hot in there, and in fact we rarely even run the AC in the summer.
So, I think I am good to go ahead with it.
Last question....would you recommend the underlayment be used? I bought the premium rolled underlayment from Lowes - Blue something brand. It has a moisture barrier on top, and almost a felt like layer (it is some type of recycled material) . I figured I would put that down to keep it "floating" and from squeaking. I did screw the heck out of a second layer of 3/4 OSB today, necessary to match up the thicknesses throughout the house. The bulk of the house is linoleum on luann, on old tile over 3/4 subfloor. I am not as worried about the underlayment over the linoleum. But I better keep it consistent...
Thanks for all the advice
Nathan
So, I think I am good to go ahead with it.
Last question....would you recommend the underlayment be used? I bought the premium rolled underlayment from Lowes - Blue something brand. It has a moisture barrier on top, and almost a felt like layer (it is some type of recycled material) . I figured I would put that down to keep it "floating" and from squeaking. I did screw the heck out of a second layer of 3/4 OSB today, necessary to match up the thicknesses throughout the house. The bulk of the house is linoleum on luann, on old tile over 3/4 subfloor. I am not as worried about the underlayment over the linoleum. But I better keep it consistent...
Thanks for all the advice
Nathan
#6
It does not call out underlayment in the installation instructions therefore, do not use any. The issue is with movement and the interlocking system. Even regular laminates are subject to issues if the underlayment is too thick. I would return the underlayment and save yourself some bucks. However, proof read the instructions when you get your product to make sure things have not changed between now and the time of installation.