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ATTN Flooring Experts: 1/4" Luan Under Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Posted on 11/25/19 at 3:58 pm
Posted on 11/25/19 at 3:58 pm
I'm having all the floors replaced in my house, and we have decided to go with Vinyl Plank. Our house is pier and beam construction so we have a plywood subfloor. We have been given one option to install a moisture barrier and vinyl plank directly on our existing subfloor. We have been given another option to spend an additional $3,500 to have 1/4" plywood (luan) installed to our subfloor followed by moisture barrier and vinyl planks.
Is the additional $3,500 expense for the 1/4" luan worth it? What are the benefits to this realistically?
We just pulled up laminate wood flooring that did not have 1/4" luan under it and didn't have any issues. I'd love to save this $3,500 for other areas of the remodel if it makes sense.
Is the additional $3,500 expense for the 1/4" luan worth it? What are the benefits to this realistically?
We just pulled up laminate wood flooring that did not have 1/4" luan under it and didn't have any issues. I'd love to save this $3,500 for other areas of the remodel if it makes sense.
This post was edited on 11/25/19 at 4:00 pm
5
Posted on 11/25/19 at 4:01 pm to Mark Makers
Don't install multiple moisture barriers, if one already exists, don't add a second one
Posted on 11/25/19 at 4:07 pm to Mark Makers
What is the reasoning of the luan?
Posted on 11/25/19 at 4:08 pm to wickowick
quote:
Don't install multiple moisture barriers, if one already exists, don't add a second one
There's no moisture barrier to my knowledge. Just a thick plywood subfloor and some closed cell spray foam insulation underneath the house. The question is:
1) Moisture Barrier
2) Vinyl Plank Flooring
OR
1) 1/4" Luan
2) Moisture Barrier
3) Vinyl Plank Flooring
Posted on 11/25/19 at 4:19 pm to Aristo
I’m still a little confused on that. I was told that it would give an extra layer of protection from the outside elements though I feel the closed cell insulation is already doing that.
I was also told a nice smooth surface to install the new floor to. I don’t find my current subfloor to be that “unsmooth”. My laminate planks were fine on top of it.
I read online it may add some sound dampening?
I was also told a nice smooth surface to install the new floor to. I don’t find my current subfloor to be that “unsmooth”. My laminate planks were fine on top of it.
I read online it may add some sound dampening?
Posted on 11/25/19 at 4:41 pm to Mark Makers
I'd skip the Luan. Floors being level are the biggest concern generally. You say your floors aren't too "unsmooth", that sounds good enough to me. However if, say one sheet of subfloor is higher than the one abutting it or if there are sharp changes in elevation of the subfloor, that needs to be evened out first. Sure, it might dampen the sound slightly but I'd save the money.
Posted on 11/25/19 at 4:44 pm to HarrisonTown
There is the occasional hump or trough due to foundation settling but all flowing and no abrupt elevation changes.
Posted on 11/25/19 at 6:20 pm to Mark Makers
I think I would save the money unless you have a rock band in your crawl space. 
Posted on 11/25/19 at 8:12 pm to Mark Makers
quote:
There is the occasional hump or trough due to foundation settling but all flowing and no abrupt elevation changes.
Those spots need to be floated out. Wear will creep thru over time.
Myself, I used hardie board 4'x8' sheets.
Posted on 11/28/19 at 1:16 pm to Mark Makers
Posted on 11/29/19 at 4:55 pm to Mark Makers
What's the thickness of your current subfloor?
And does it have any give (anywhere)?
eta: Joists on 16" centers?
And does it have any give (anywhere)?
eta: Joists on 16" centers?
This post was edited on 11/29/19 at 6:00 pm
Posted on 11/29/19 at 8:47 pm to awestruck
If it is floating vinyl plank skip the Luan. If it is glue down, do the Luan. If you get tired of the vinyl plank ripping it up w the Luan is much easier.
We did glue down vinyl plank in our RV. Got tired of it and decided to go real wood. It was much easier and less damaging to rip up the vinyl / luan with it not glued to the subfloor. We used lots of glue coated staples on the luan when we put it down. Did the same thing with the glue down wood the second round.
We did glue down vinyl plank in our RV. Got tired of it and decided to go real wood. It was much easier and less damaging to rip up the vinyl / luan with it not glued to the subfloor. We used lots of glue coated staples on the luan when we put it down. Did the same thing with the glue down wood the second round.
Posted on 12/1/19 at 9:28 am to Mark Makers
The reason to use Luan is to get your floor flat. The industry standard for locking vinyl is 3/16” in a 10’ span or and 1/8” in a 6’ span. Moisture typically doesn’t effect vinyl. It is the glue you have to worry about. On a floating floor you need an underlayment for sound. Don’t use a laminate underlayment, because it isn’t as dense as an LVT underlayment. It will cause deflection in the floor breaking the locking system on locking LVT and will make the glue fail and the LVT gap on glue down. If you are big on the warranty your floor has to be within the industry standard. On a warranty claim. That will be the first thing they check. I have attached the installation instructions for one of Shaw’s locking floors. You can look up any locking floor or glue down and they will be the same.
Shaw installation instructions
Shaw installation instructions
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