How do you install luxury vinyl plank flooring on concrete?

For those who are looking to install any Kind of Flooring on their concrete subfloor, Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring is the best option for them.

The two most common formats are planks and tiles, with the latter usually displaying some type of patterned design compared to plain old wood surfaces found in many homes today; however, there is also vinyl tile that shares similar traits as well!

Unlike other materials such as carpet (which can take up valuable space) or even hardwood floors(both costly), this durable yet stylish alternative measures only half-inch thick so you won't have any problem working around furniture placed near its edges

Follow these Simple Steps Install Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring on Concrete

Step 1 - Prepare the Concrete

The first step is to prepare the concrete floor for vinyl plank. Sweep away any dust from the subfloor, then lightly sand rough spots and fill holes with a patching compound or leveled caulk. Wash the surface thoroughly with a cleaner meant for concrete floors. Allow it to dry completely before applying the product.

Step 2 - Install an Underlayment

The next step is to install the underlayment. This helps provide a smooth surface for the flooring, prevents bumps and voids from appearing between tiles, and provides soundproofing as well as insulation. 

To do this, cut pieces of underlayment that exceed the width and length of your floor by at least 12 inches in each direction. Ie, if your room is 10 feet by 15 feet, cut the underlayment to be 12 inches wider and longer than that, or 22 x 30. 

Lay one piece of underlayment in the middle of the floor. Starting in one corner, lay another sheet perpendicular to it with edges flush. When you get to a wall, drop the sheet perpendicular to the floor and cut it so that its edge butts against one wall. Continue adding pieces until your underlayment is laid out in the entire room, then tape them together where they overlap.

Step 3 - Apply Adhesive to Subfloor

Roll on an adhesive designed for installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete floors. After it has dried, apply the vinyl planks in rows across the floor. If you prefer, you can leave a small gap between tiles instead of putting them tightly together so that grout lines appear later.

Step 4 - Install Grout Joints

After all of your planks are laid, cut them to fit around obstacles in the room, then apply grout designed specifically for vinyl flooring.

Step 5 - Caulk Gaps and Corners

Lay a thick bead of caulk between tiles near walls or on edges where two pieces meet. Fill corners with grout caulk as well. To save time later when cleaning, wipe the excess caulk away before it dries, then cut in all of your edges using a standard kitchen knife.

Step 6 - Wait for Caulk to Cure

Wait at least two days before you walk on the floor, or until the caulking is no longer tacky to the touch. When that time comes, prepare your room for final use by applying baseboard and quarter-round.

Tools And Supplies You Will Need

• Vinyl planks
• Tape measure
• Utility knife
• Pencil
• ¼ inch spacers
• Putty knife and pry bar
• Mallet
• Tapping block
• Carpenter’s level

Can you put vinyl flooring directly on concrete?

Yes, you can put vinyl flooring directly on concrete! However, there are some exceptions. To avoid problems with the installation, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

You should always install underlayment over concrete prior to laying any other type of flooring material no matter what that is. This includes luxury vinyl planks (LVP). Any concrete used as an installer subfloor must be clean, dry, and smooth. If there are any cracks or holes in the concrete that needs repairing, then those need to be repaired first before applying underlayment and installing LVP planks on top of it.

In addition, most types of luxury vinyl flooring can't be installed over concrete with a heating system. To be on the safe side, always check your manufacturer's installation guide before installing any type of flooring over concrete - including luxury vinyl planks.

If your luxury vinyl planks are click-and-lock type, make sure to use a flooring roller when installing them on a concrete floor. A heavy-duty commercial-grade flooring roller is recommended since it can apply more pressure and help get a stronger bond between each LVP plank and the concrete subfloor.

• Read Also - Coretec Flooring Review - Are Coretec Floors Worth The Money
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What type of underlayment do you use for vinyl planks on concrete?

When installing luxury vinyl planks (LVT) over a concrete subfloor, the ideal underlayment is to be able to eliminate any shifting or movement. Floor Muffler Underlayment does this by adding no cushion because the closed-cell design provides no air pockets.

Also, while some specific vinyl underlayments are available, many of these can be too soft for the planks to sit flush against the concrete below them. Thus, it is often best to use a vapor barrier underlayment that will not add cushion to the planks or give them any type of padding. You may still experience some minor gapping, but this will be less than if you used a specific vinyl underlayment or foam padding.

Floor Muffler Underlayment is an excellent choice if you're installing Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVT) flooring over concrete since it provides no cushion and adds no air pockets like other underlayments.

Conclusion

So, how do you install luxury vinyl plank flooring on concrete? The good news is that it's not too different from installing LVP on a wooden subfloor. You'll want to make sure the surface is clean and level before you start, and use an adhesive recommended for concrete. 

Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, as they may vary depending on the product you're using. If you have any questions or run into any problems during installation, don't hesitate to call us for help- we're happy to walk you through it!