I’m getting conflicting recommendations regarding the installation of underlayment under the vinyl flooring going in my spec house.
The flooring guy I’ve hired says he wants:
1. High dollar underlayment (About $20 a sheet) instead of luan. Can’t remember the brand.
2. Water based adhesive trowelled on the underside of each sheet, holding back 2″ from each edge. When the edges are fastened down, this will supposedly create a depression at each joint that he will fill in before he installs the floor.
3. Staples (No nails or screws) 1″ O.C. on the edges, and 3″ O.C. both ways in the middle of the sheet.
The guy I hired to install the underlayment says:
1. Luan is fine. (About $10 a sheet, I think)
2. No adhesive – It’s too hard to pull up when you want to replace it down the road.
3. Ring shank nails – He says they hold better than staples.
Since this way outside my area of expertise, I’m kinda at a loss for which way to go. The installer claims that if you don’t do it his way, the flooring manufacturers won’t honor their warranties. I have no idea if that’s true or not.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Truss Designer Extraordinaire
Replies
Some vinyl flooring installers don't like luan because can bleed through some floorings like any cheap mahogany. What I don't like is the way it takes nails or screws.
The glue and staple part is massive overkill. We use regular const. glue and screws. Spacing 2" at edge and 4 to 5 inches in the center. This is over 5/8 ply. Asp. I would use more.
A lot of this is regional preferences and cost of material.
Gabe
Flooring installer I've worked with told me that luan has a tendency to come apart and that alot of the vinyl manuf. won't honor a warranty if the stuff is installed on anything other than the composite. staples will hold fine and for the adhesive on the back of the underlayment, I'd say go with it. last thing you want is to have it squeaking in a while after things settle and shrink. you'll find yourself ripping it out an redoing it on a warranty call which will cost you a whole lot more in the long run. you do what you want but I'd have gone with the first guy if I were you.
Back in february I tore up a whole first floor for a homeowner whose subfloor was squeaking like a banshee everywhere. guess what, ring shank and no adhesive. I put down adhesive, and screwed it. the floor is so quiet now you can walk the whole first floor and not hear a sound. now it was particle board subfloor on T&G plywood deck but the concept is the same.
Check the vinyl manuf. for what they call for as far as underlayment goes. if the say lauan and you're comfortable with that then go for it. if not spend the money and do it right.
Steve
S.J.MERRETTE Carpentry & Construction • Robesonia, PA
Nothing is impossible...It just hasn't been done yet.
Luan is generally looked down upon.....used to be the thing to use....appearantly was a different animal. I don't glue down...but it couldn't hurt. I go about 6 inches on seams...8 in field....and the field is probably overkill. Have used hand hammered ring shank underlayment nails and gunned staples...haven't noticed a diference.
Definitely prep the seams and any voids. I like "Dependable" for floating. Other brands are probably just as good. Just going with what Dad and Granddad used!
That expensive board with the funny nail grid on it is nice stuff.
At first I though the difference was on the sheet install......I was gonna say some is glue down and some is perimeter stapled........but I see that ain't the Q.
For what it's worth....we used to do alot of work for a guy that had boht nice...and not so nice rentals....in the not so nice.....he insisted on luan.....cheapest on everything hidden! He figured it was gonna get torn up by renters anyway and replaced way before the typical life span. The stuff over the luan always looked fine when we'd go back for some repair or another. Maybe because we talked him into a better sheet good to cover his penny saving methods.
All these floor were glue down.
The other places...we were allowed to use the good stuff all the way around.
Ya get what ya pay for. Jeff * Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA *
2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman