Anyone tried "loose lay" vinyl plank flooring?

  • Context: Construction 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Stephen Tashi
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the use and effectiveness of "loose lay" vinyl plank flooring, exploring its installation requirements, potential challenges, and experiences from participants. The scope includes practical application and conceptual understanding of flooring installation techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the effectiveness of loose lay vinyl plank flooring, particularly due to the lack of local availability and personal experience.
  • One participant notes that while the planks are waterproof, there are concerns about water seeping from below or above, which could affect the flooring over time.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the necessity of a smooth surface for installation, with some participants suggesting that uneven substrates like nailed plywood or rough concrete could lead to unsatisfactory results.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of floor flatness tolerances, citing specific measurements that must be adhered to for proper installation, indicating that significant preparation may be required.
  • A participant mentions observing loose lay vinyl in nursing homes, suggesting its practical application in such environments.
  • One suggestion is made to use a thin underlayment to help achieve a smoother surface before laying the planks.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express uncertainty about the effectiveness and installation requirements of loose lay vinyl plank flooring, with multiple competing views on the necessary surface preparation and potential challenges. No consensus is reached on the best practices for installation.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for careful consideration of substrate conditions and preparation, with specific tolerances mentioned that may vary based on individual circumstances. The discussion reflects a range of experiences and assumptions regarding flooring installation.

Stephen Tashi
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TL;DR
Tell about you experience with "loose lay" vinyl plank flooring. (The planks don't interlock and they aren't glued down.)
I like to hear from anyone who has tried "loose lay" vinyl plank flooring. (e.g. ).

I don't understand how it can possibly work. Local hardware stores don't stock it, so I haven't seen any samples.
 
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Looks like the planks themselves are waterproof by design, but water can seep up from below or soak down from above in some cases. It sounds like it all dries out naturally and the planks are not harmed...

https://www.floorstoyourhome.com/faq.html
1566926931386.png
 
Have not used them but I can imagine that if they are layed on a surface that is not very smooth like nailed plywood or roughly finished concrete that the final result won't look like the promotional video above.
 
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Spinnor said:
Have not used them but I can imagine that if they are layed on a surface that is not very smooth like nailed plywood or roughly finished concrete that the final result won't look like the promotional video above.
Yeah, good point. I haven't laid floor in the past, but what kind of prep is typical for laying flooring? I'm guessing you need a pretty smooth underlayment for any flooring installation?
 
berkeman said:
Yeah, good point. I haven't laid floor in the past, but what kind of prep is typical for laying flooring?

From what I remember the tolerances for the "flatness" of the floor is pretty extreme, this I am sure is in part to cover their butts legally if something goes wrong with the floor. I think a typical number is 1/4 inch in 10 feet so to follow the instructions properly every floor will need considerable prep.

"¼" in 10ft., Slope not more than 1" per 6 ft. (6mm in 3m, Slope not more than 25mm per 1.8m) No abrupt height differences. High spots should be sanded or ground down and low areas should be filled "

From, https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/01/018cc06a-4edd-45f5-a66c-4b5c82445898.pdf

From, https://www.homedepot.com/p/LifePro...-Flooring-20-06-sq-ft-case-I966106L/300699284

The first number I think means that if you place a 10 foot straight-edge on the floor you could not have more then a 1/4 inch gap along the bottom of the straight-edge. Typical concrete or plywood substrates I think are normally much more uneven.
 
I see a lot of what looks like this in nursing homes.
 
You could put down some kind of underlayment (thin relatively cheap plywood) to smooth things out a bit.
 

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