Yes, Mohawk RevWood does need underlayment. Underlayment is important for any type of laminate flooring installation as it provides cushioning, support and an additional moisture barrier. While the Mohawk RevWood laminate does include an attached pad for sound dampening, an additional underlayment should be installed for optimal performance.
Underlayment protects the laminate flooring from moisture and promotes air flow, which helps to keep the floor dry and comfortable. It also offers additional noise reduction and can help reduce the noise of foot traffic.
In addition, underlayment provides added warmth and comfort underfoot and even helps to level small imperfections. When installing Mohawk RevWood it is important to choose the right underlayment that meets the installation specifications provided by the manufacturer.
Is underlayment necessary for vinyl plank flooring?
Yes, installing underlayment for vinyl plank flooring is necessary in order to provide the best performance, stability, and comfort for the life of the floor. Underlayment is typically made of foam, cork, or rubber, and it provides moisture protection, sound absorption, and cushioning for the floor.
It also helps to level out any inconsistencies in the subfloor and prevent damage to the vinyl planks. Additionally, having underlayment creates a more comfortable floor that is softer to walk on, as well as an acoustic barrier to reduce sound transmission to other levels of the home.
Ultimately, installing an underlayment product under vinyl plank flooring is required to ensure the best performance, stability, and comfort for the life of the floor, and it is highly recommended to make sure it is installed correctly and maintained regularly.
What happens if you don’t put underlayment under vinyl flooring?
If you do not put underlayment under vinyl flooring, the finished product will not have the same aesthetic look, feel, and sound as if underlayment is used. This is because underlayment is designed to provide additional cushioning, comfort, and stability.
Without the underlayment, the vinyl will feel harder, be less sound absorbent, and may show imperfections more easily. It is also likely that the vinyl flooring will not properly adhere to the subfloor, and over time, the vinyl planks will start to come apart or shift.
This could lead to costly repairs or even replacements. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you always use underlayment for optimal results.
Does vinyl flooring with attached padding still need underlayment?
Yes, vinyl flooring with attached padding still typically requires underlayment. Even though the padding is attached to the vinyl plank, underlayment provides additional cushioning and stability, which helps extend the life of the vinyl plank and makes it more comfortable to walk on.
Underlayment also helps to muffle sound and reduce the amount of noise that is transferred from the floor, which can help absorb the sound of footsteps throughout the home. Additionally, the underlayment material typically helps protect the floor from moisture, mold, and mildew.
It is important to choose the right type of underlayment for your vinyl flooring, as not all vinyl flooring requires the same kind of underlayment.
What underlayment to use for vinyl planks?
When selecting an underlay for vinyl planks, you should consider the type of floor installation you plan to do, the type of vinyl plank you are installing and the level of sound and comfort you are looking for.
The most common type of underlay used for vinyl plank flooring is foam underlayment. Foam provides cushioning and serves as a barrier between the subfloor and the vinyl planks, protecting against moisture and providing insulation from sound and temperature.
It also helps to reduce impact on the flooring, making it better suited for high traffic areas. Foam underlayment is available in different thicknesses and is recommended for most installations.
Ideally, an underlayment with a moisture barrier is also recommended for installations in areas that experience high levels of humidity, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. Foam underlayment with a moisture barrier can also help reduce moisture penetrating the vinyl planks, and can reduce noise in some cases.
Finally, if you’re looking for more cushion and sound absorption, cork underlayment may be a good option. Cork is typically used with floating vinyl plank flooring and provides more cushioning and insulation, plus it has the added benefit of being anti-microbial and hypoallergenic.
No matter which type of underlayment you choose, make sure it meets or exceeds industry standards for vinyl plank flooring. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for your flooring and underlayment to ensure a proper installation.
Does vinyl plank flooring need a vapor barrier on concrete?
Yes, vinyl plank flooring should have a vapor barrier on concrete if the slab was poured within the last six months. A recent pour has higher moisture content, so a vapor barrier is important to help block the moisture from transferring to the planks and causing them to swell.
The vapor barrier should also be used if moisture is seen coming through any cracks in the concrete. When installing the plank flooring, a plastic sheet should be laid down with an adhesive and sealed around the perimeter of the room.
This slab vapor barrier should be 6–8 mil thick and sealed with tape on all the seams. It should also extend up the walls at least four inches. Vinyl plank flooring with a foam underlayment can act as a vapor barrier itself, but it should still have a plastic sheet laid down for additional protection.
Can mold grow under vinyl plank flooring?
Yes, it is possible for mold to grow under vinyl plank flooring. Mold needs organic matter, moisture, and mild temperatures to grow and thrive. If there is standing water or excessive moisture under the flooring, mold will be able to grow and spread.
Additionally, the organic material that is used to adhere the vinyl flooring to the subfloor can also be a source of food that mold can feed on. To prevent mold growth, make sure the area under the floor is moisture-free and regularly inspect the area for any signs of mold or mildew.
Additionally, protecting the crawl space and subfloor with a vapor barrier can help reduce the chances of mold growth.
Can you put vinyl flooring over concrete?
Yes, you can put vinyl flooring over concrete. Vinyl flooring is one of the most popular options for a wide range of flooring needs. It is a cost effective, durable and easy to install option for any concrete surface in your home or office.
The good thing about vinyl flooring is that no adhesives required for installation and it is relatively easy to maintain. To install vinyl flooring over concrete, you will need to ensure your subfloor is level, clean, and structurally sound.
Once you’re sure that you meet all the requirements, you can begin laying down the vinyl planks or sheets and using a rolling pin to ensure everything is even. Finally, you’ll need to caulk along all the walls, seams and door frames to make sure your floor is completely waterproofed and sealed.
With a little bit of preparation and installation, you can have beautiful and long lasting vinyl flooring over your concrete surface.
How do you cut Mohawk vinyl flooring?
Cutting Mohawk vinyl flooring is easy to do and requires few tools. Before beginning, make sure to measure the space carefully in order to determine the precise lengths of vinyl that you need.
First, you will need to cut off any excess vinyl from the roll. If you have a carpet knife, this is the easiest tool to use for this step. Place the vinyl against a straight edge or other surface and score the material deeply to significantly reduce the risk of tearing.
Continue this process until you have cut off the excess.
If you need to make precision cuts, you should use a utility knife. This tool allows you to make straight, precise cuts along the lines that you’ve previously marked with a pencil or chalk. To use the utility knife safely, you should use a metal straight edge to press against the line that you need to cut and draw your knife along that line.
This will help you create a neat and precise cut.
Finally, in order to create curves and intricate shapes, you may need to use a jigsaw. This is the most difficult tool to use, and it is important to practice on a spare piece of scrap vinyl before cutting into the valuable material.
When cutting with a jigsaw, it is essential to move slowly and use a fine-toothed blade in order to avoid tears. Inspect your cuts carefully and sand off any rough, uneven edges.
Following these steps will help you to make accurate cuts that are needed for the installation of your Mohawk vinyl flooring.
How do you cut vinyl planks without chipping them?
When cutting vinyl planks, it is important to use the right type of saw and to make sure the blades are sharp and in good condition. For best results, using a table saw or a miter saw with a sharp blade is recommended.
Make sure the blade has at least 10 teeth per inch; any fewer teeth per inch, and the cut may be too rough and cause chipping on the vinyl planks. Using a fine-toothed blade will help create a smooth and precise cut.
Additionally, avoid using a jigsaw or a circular saw, as these can generate too much heat, which can also cause chipping.
When you are ready to cut your plank, make sure it is held securely in place. You can use clamps to help hold the plank in place for a precise cut. If possible, consider making a practice cut first with a scrap piece of vinyl plank to get an idea of the pressure and technique that you should use.
Start your cut slowly and apply light pressure on the saw, allowing it to progressively cut through the plank. As you reach the end of the cut, release the pressure from the saw to avoid any chipping.
What is the easiest way to cut vinyl flooring?
The easiest way to cut vinyl flooring is to use a utility knife or linoleum knife. To use a utility knife, make sure it is sharp and that you are using a fresh blade. Score the vinyl flooring along your desired cut line, using a straight edge to ensure a clean cut.
Then, you should be able to easily break the piece off along the scored line. For larger cuts, consider using a circular saw or jigsaw with a fine-toothed blade especially designed for vinyl flooring.
If using power tools, make sure to wear appropriate safety equipment such as goggles and a dust mask.
Can you cut LVP with a utility knife?
Yes, you can use a utility knife to cut LVP or Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring. All you will need is a sharp utility knife, a straight-edge, a pencil, and a measuring tape. Before you cut the planks, you will want to measure the space accurately and mark it using the pencil.
Then, using the straight-edge as a guide, carefully score the plank along the line you traced. Once you’ve scored the plank, press down along the straight edge and apply pressure, eventually breaking the plank into two pieces.
There may be some material still left around the edges, so you will want to clean it up using the utility knife by running it along the edges of the plank. Just make sure to be very careful when you are cutting as utility knives are sharp and you don’t want to hurt yourself.
Do you leave spacers in vinyl plank flooring?
Yes, it is important to leave spacers in between vinyl plank flooring when installing it. Spacers act as insulation that prevents your planks from shrinking or expanding when exposed to temperature changes.
Additionally, they provide space for the expansion and contraction of the planks. A standard spacer size is between 1/8”-1/4” for click vinyl planks. This ensures the floor does not become buckled or have gaps in between the planks.
During installation, the end joints should be staggered a minimum of 6”, and the planks should be square to each other to ensure there are no gaps. Lastly, make sure to use the proper adhesive to secure the planks in place.
Do you leave floor spacers in?
No, floor spacers should not be left in place once the job is completed. Floor spacers are temporary tools used to keep panels and tiles in place while thinset mortar is allowed to dry and cure. Once the mortar has dried, the spacers have done their job, and they need to be carefully removed.
Leaving the spacers in could cause unsightly bulges in the finished installation, resulting in an uneven surface. Additionally, if spacers are allowed to remain in place, they may cause an uneven installation surface for future tiles that are laid upon them.
For this reason, spacers should be carefully removed once the job is completed.
How do you use vinyl plank spacers?
Vinyl plank spacers are used when laying down vinyl planks during the installation process. They create a space of roughly 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch between the planks and the wall. This space is necessary to give the planks room to expand and contract in changing temperatures.
To use the spacers, you should insert them between the planks and the wall as you’re looping the planks together. For each plank, you should use at least two spacers; one at the top, and one at the bottom.
Depending on the size of the plank and the wall, you may need to add more spacers along the sides. To ensure the stability of the planks, it’s best to space them out evenly. After the planks are all in place, you can remove the spacers to complete the installation.
What happens if an expansion gap is not left?
If an expansion gap is not left when laying a hardwood floor, it may cause serious damage to the flooring, as well as the building itself. Expansion gaps are necessary to account for the natural movement of wood floors as temperatures and humidity vary.
When an expansion gap is not left during the installation, it can lead to buckling, gapping, and cupping of the boards. In extreme cases, this can lead to a system failure of the flooring and possibly even total collapse of the floor.
In other cases, it can cause the floor to become uneven and squeak when walked on. In addition to the potential damage to the floor, an expansion gap not left can cause damage to the building as well, including drywall cracking and door jambs separating from the wall.
To prevent this type of damage, it is important that an expansion gap is left when installing a hardwood floor.
Where do spacers go on vinyl flooring?
When installing vinyl flooring, it is important to pay attention to the directions when placing spacers around the perimeter of the room. Spacers should be placed around the perimeter of the room before actually starting the installation.
Generally, for wood and laminate flooring you want to install, it is best to place a 3 mm spacer all the way around the perimeter of the room or up to the edge of the walls. You may also need to place additional spacers in the center of the room depending on the product you are using.
Once the spacers are all in place, they will hold the flooring in a certain distance from the wall, and this will ultimately ensure that your flooring will have the necessary room to allow for proper expansion and contraction due to normal environmental changes.
Additionally, spacers will help create a buffer between the edges of the flooring and the wall, allowing for an even transition between the two.
Once the spacers are in place, begin to install the flooring following the manufacturer’s instructions. You may need to fit the vinyl planks together like a jigsaw puzzle, or you may be able to use an adhesive to adhere them together.
Once you have the planks installed, remember to remove the spacers before laying down a grout strip or trim to complete the installation.
How much does LVP actually expand?
LVP, or luxury vinyl plank, is an extremely versatile, durable, and attractive option for flooring and can be used in a variety of spaces. This type of flooring has the ability to expand and contract depending on the home’s environment.
LVP flexibility comes from the typically thinner constructions and interlocking joints. Its click-together system allows for the plank to expand without creating gaps in your floor.
When LVP is first installed in a home, manufacturers recommended leaving a 5/16″ expansion gap around the perimeter of the room. As the floor heats up and cools down, it can expand and contract up to a half inch.
This expansion is completely normal and accounted for when the flooring is installed. The expansion and contraction can also be controlled to some extent by controlling the humidity in the room.
Aside from expansion and contraction, LVP is also incredibly durable and can withstand high foot-traffic in your home, making it an ideal choice in busy rooms or households with kids or pets. It’s also relatively easy to maintain and can be cleaned easily with a broom, vacuum, or mop.
Do you need an expansion gap for vinyl click flooring?
Yes, it is important to leave an expansion gap for vinyl click flooring. This gap allows for the expansion of the flooring due to environmental changes such as rising temperatures, humidity, and moisture.
Generally, the expansion gap should be approximately 3/8 inches around the entire floor edge and any walls or fixed objects, such as cabinets or toe kicks, and it should be filled with flexible caulking or adhesive.
When making this gap, it is important to keep it as consistent as possible throughout the entire floor. It is also important to check the manufacturer’s recommendations, as the ideal gap size may vary depending on the specific vinyl click flooring product.
If the gap is not left or it is made too wide, the flooring has the potential to buckle and cannot be repaired without completely replacing the damage section.