Why Use Luan Under Vinyl

Plywood underlayment is a thin plywood material that is most commonly used under resilient flooring materials such as vinyl and linoleum sheets and tiles.

Why use luan under vinyl. When it comes to installing a new flooring material you sometimes have the option of installing the underlayment for your new floor directly on top. Sounds like a winner. But the rfci doesn t recommend its use for fully adhered sheet vinyl or tile floors. Luan is a type of hardboard plywood that commonly serves as an underlayment for different types of flooring including resilient vinyl floors.

I m sure they make better products for underlayment but this guy made it sound like a mortal sin. Vinyl planks require hard thin underlay because the product itself is softer. September 23 2019 at 10 09 am. When installed properly luan underlayment creates a flat smooth and durable surface to which flooring materials can be attached.

Particleboard is smooth knot free and hard. Hi monica thanks for the question. Putting a soft product under vinyl plank will result in an unstable floor that is much more inclined to being damaged and even punctured or torn over time. If you ve chosen luxury vinyl plank flooring as a replacement for your current flooring you ve made a very smart choice.

Can i install luan under the vinyl to bring the floors back to level. Thickness edge swelling is the number one complaint when it comes to particleboard installed under resilient flooring. Do you guys use it. Best to use a staple gun it s much faster long staples anyone suggesting it s a bad underlayment is just talking out of their rear end.

Vinyl flooring is affordable durable spill resistant and available in a rainbow of colors and patterns making it a top choice in kitchens bathrooms and. I have a perimeter glued vinyl floor and it s probably the third time i re laced the vinyl and my luan is still the same as it was 30 years ago. Why or why not. While underlayment for vinyl planks may be used under hardwood and laminate the reverse is not true.

For this you will want to put a vapor barrier over your concrete subfloor. Laying underlayment over an existing flooring. I worked with a guy who always installed luan under sheet vinyl with a 1 4 crown stapler. It can also be used under hardwood laminate and carpet but this is much less common these days because subflooring is typically smooth enough for these materials many of which are installed with a different type of underlayment or pad.

That will prevent any moisture from damaging the planks or creating a mold issue under the flooring. Talked to a guy last week who said luan is no good under sheet vinyl. Most lvp flooring is water resistant some types are even waterproof and it s also very durable able to resist dents dings scratches and stains. It s been under my kitchen floor for 30 years.

It s extremely beautiful flooring that mimics natural hardwood and sometimes even stone.