Replies

1. 
   Stephen_ | May 30, 1999 05:19pm | #1

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   Dave the flooring contractors I work with refuse to try and luan over concrete . They use a flash patch to fill any imperfections in the concrete and then glue the vinyl directly to the concrete . We had one slab that had gotten rained before it had completely set up and had pits and dents over the whole foor . They uses a top and bond and skimmed the whole floor and made it smooth as glass and the install looked perfect . We had discussed luaning the floor instead but they refused saying the only thing they could gaurantee was it would fail . I would recomend using an upgraded vinyl. Builders grade is to thin , to weak , the seams fail even over luan . Good luck .

2. 
   Guest_ | May 30, 1999 05:22pm | #2

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   Hi Dave,

   I'm guessing that the reason you're putting luan over the gypcrete is to raise the level of the kitchen floor to match the elevation of the rooms with hardwood.

   The linoleum would glue down better on the gypcrete, "once properly dry".

   You may want to consider adding a thicker layer of gypcrete to the kitchen and walk-in closet. This is something that would have been pre-planned
   during construction. A good rule of thumb in construction is to minimize the layers of different products that have to be glued or fastened together, thereby reducing the risks of failures.

   I think that you can appreciate, by now, that I don't like gluing down luan onto gypcrete in a high traffic area. You have to appreciate that your kitchen floor sees more traffic than all other rooms combined.

   You may want to consider using one of the dozens of floating floors for the kitchen. I'm assuming that you now have a super solid floor area, so there would be no danger of flexing and therefore no joint failures.

   If you're determined to glue down the luan, then I would strongly suggest you have the same trade who is going to install your linoleum do the installation of the luan and get a quarantee of workmanship and a product warranty from the manufacturer of the adhesive, "if you can".

   Gabe

1. 
   Guest_ | May 30, 1999 11:35pm | #3

   *Frankly Dave, Don't glue luan over the concrete. It will not last. besides, the only height difference will be hardly 1/4". Glue right to the concrete. will be more durable, last longer and resist water/moisture damage better.You may also want to consider a floating floor system such as those Pergo type floors.Pete Draganic

1. 
   Guest_ | May 31, 1999 03:32am | #4

   *I have to agree with Pete, a floating floor is the best answer. I have tried gluing luan down over concrete. It was my house & I wanted to see how well it worked. Not bad actually. When we sold the house 5 years later it only had a couple of places that would pop when you walked over them. I sot it down with liquid nails out of the tube. If I were to do it again I would trowel on a different mastic ( don't plan to do it again, see floating floors). I can give a good reason to do this wich Gabe your climate should make this evident. It's warmer (so's pergo). when bare feet hit the floor with the luan under it in 5 degree weather you can feel the difference.

1. 
   Guest_ | May 31, 1999 03:50am | #6

   *Hi RobYou're right about the cold climate part but I only install Cork Floating Floors so the cold concrete is definitely not a problem.Gabe

3. 
   Dave_Crossman | May 31, 1999 03:50am | #5

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   My wife and I are building a timberframe. We are putting in floor radiant heat. On the first floor deck we have poured 1 1/2 inches of lightweight concrete. We will cover most of it with hard wood, and have nailers at 12 inches on center. But we have a couple of small areas (kitchen and walk in closet) where we will but putting linoleum. We want to put Luan down first. My question is what is the best adhesive/technique to apply the Luan to the Conccrete?