There are a million videos on how to do stuff like this, but this channel is the only one I've found that gets into the "gotchas" of getting the job done. Construction is never as easy as it seems, and random, unexpected pain points always come up. This channel addresses those very well. That kind of quality can only come from someone who's done this a thousand times.
I'm a licensed for 20 years finish carpenter, not a flooring guy, but doing my own flooring now. I really appreciate your videos, really sincere, easy to follow, and don't waste time with useless talk. Thank you very much for the great info! If you're ever up in the northwest, drop in for a beer!
Great video, but just a warning to anyone that buys that simple prep premix floor patch (like I did) if you have any sense of hurry. It dries in 4 hours, and shrinks like crazy, so count on a second application. Patching kills a day, assuming you don't find a bad staple later and need to do another patch round. Use this only if you want an excuse to stop and watch a few ball games. Pros use Ardex/Henry because it dries in 15 minutes.
Never have I ever met a house with a straight/square wall, a straight flat piece of timber/wood, or even a house, lol.... Love your little "nuggets" of wisdom & quips. Cheers, A
You did it again. We just bought 7mm EVP flooring. Floor is unleveled 1 1\2 . You made this type of prepping floor look easy. I'm about to look at your next video on vunyl floor install. Thank you
As a flooring professional for 40+ years, I couldn't find much fault with this video... except for how you stapled the underlayment down. When the panel is butted next to a previously installed panel, as in your example, it should be LIGHTLY butted (some underlayment manuf. require a tiny gap) and fastened on the long edge first, then the short edge that abuts the existing panels. Then, beginning in the corner nearest the adjoining panels, fasten in a fan shape (about 4" apart for quarter-inch, slightly farther apart for thicker panels) until you reach the far corner. This helps push all the warped fullness out, instead of trapping it and causing out-of-square gaps when you install the next panel.
Thanks Jim, I have never thought of the fan shape before. usually I have found it enough to just work right to left. But I can see it's merits. Will try on the next one.Thank you and Cheers!
I just removed glued down carpet pad from an OSB subfloor, to avoid trying to scrape all the glue up can I just add a new 1/4” subfloor on top? I plan to use a floating engineered vinyl plank for the finished floor.
I installed sheet vinyl flooring to my dad's small bathroom a few years ago. It was just loose lay over old vinyl flooring. He had me take measurements, but I'm not worth a crap with a tape measure for carpentry. I kept measuring the same things over and over again like I had OCD. I told my dad I'd rather get contractor's paper and make a pattern. I've been sewing and making patterns for decades, and that's what I'm used to. He scoffed at the idea and looked at me like I was a complete idiot and insisted on using the tape measure. Needless to say, it took me about an hour to do the measurements and draw a picture of what I was doing so my dad would understand. When I did cut the vinyl flooring, there was excess in some spots and shortages in other spots. It doesn't look great, but it covered the ugly 1970s vinyl flooring we used to have. If I'd had the time and patience and no one looking over my shoulder and screaming at me constantly, I probably would've done it the way I wanted to and did a better job.
As a 'Professional DIY' I have found your practical demos are a valuable source of information, especially when you demonstrate the common mistakes. Thank you. Question: I am installing vinyl planking (LVP) to the entire main floor. In areas such as a perpendicular transition or butting up against a stair nosing transition piece, you cannot lock the cutoff ends into the transition pleace. What is the best method to solve this situation and if it's glue what is the correct type of glue to use when gluing the planking which has a rubber type backing?
This might be coming too late but what I did in my house for the LVP on stairs was using a product brand Bostik's "climb" or "treadlock" adhesive to fasten down those planks. Stair nosing is meant to overlay the LVP, so just make sure it's overlaid enough to prevent any gaps from showing on the coldest day of the year. My LVP has cork backing, but since you're working with rubber backing, I might suggest scuffing the backside with some sandpaper if you're concerned about proper adhesion. Hope I could help at least a little.
ok super helpful video. just about to lay over fresh subfloor with screw indents and joins between the ply floor. Need to fill all the voids first. Didn't think of that being an issue. Thanks!
That is too bad. You could try a scalpel and glue down the flap after repairing it. But I would try in a closet first to see if you will like the result.
Ply is a bad underlay for flooring. Not allowed in Australia. Dont forget to check length of your drive pin on gun factory settings are 5mm past tip thats about the thickness of underlay.
Question: 5x5' bathroom, putting vinyl planks, SmartCore Pro. But, would love to put the vinyl floating underneath heavy vanity. Vanity is not square base, but could cut vinyl carefully into notches. But best look would be vanity sitting on vinyl. Floor is straight, experienced with other bathroom vinyl. Vanity probably weighs about 150 lbs. Will this cause buckling and warping against the locking grooves? Or install on subfloor and cut vinyl around vanity?
Excellent video! I'm tearing tile out of my kitchen because it is broken because when they put it in they did not get the floor level. I'm going to install vynol flooring. Thanks for the tips.
Set your Saw on the correct depth cut it back to the floor Joyce’s and install a new piece of plywood. What you’re doing might look good today but over time it’s going to show through
should I remove the old sub floor first? Then lay the new sub floor ? Or can I lay the new sub floor and then 1/8 plywood sheets to make the floor smooth?
Oh my gosh, this is eerily timely. We just this morning discovered the sub floor in our hallway bathroom is totally effed. We are definitely less stressed about it now! Thank you! I'm thinking we should just go ahead and make it a wet room, I think it's called, so we never have to do this again. I'll peruse your videos to see if you've covered that topic. Thanks again. As first time homeowners with seemingly never ending house issues and no experience, your videos are quite valuable.
The secret is too remove all the flooring back to original and then add the correct strength to the floor as required in your area. Usually 1 1/4 inches
You've just convinced me I need to purchase a crown staple gun. Off to the hardware store I go! Love your informative videos - thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Hi - I just finished my kitchen and 2 bathroom remodeling job. I used "CORETEC" luxury vinyl tile in the bathrooms and planks in the kitchen. The ones I used are rigid snap in tongue and groove with a 20 mil wear layer and a cork backing. 100% waterproof. My contractor did a great job in prepping the floor but it was not a lot of work since these go over most hard surfaces. Yes remove nails, staples etc and no large elevation differences. I selected the flooring and they installed it. They were very impressed with the quality and ease of laying the floor. This was a 1st time for them using this product. Nice video and info!!!!
Greetings Sir Jeff! I’ve been watching your GREAT videos (highlighting the deck videos) for quite a while since I saw your video last time about duct installation. I instantly subscribed to your channel because I know this is useful and fun at the same time. I used it and showed it to my report in our mechanical engineering laws, codes and practices class, and they liked it a lot! Watching your videos inspires me to own a home in a suburb! Thanks again Sir, you’re awesome!
Thank you Jowett Millan, It is an honor to hear that you have been inspired. Thank you for your comment and all the best to you with your studies. Cheers!
Thank you for details video, how do we prep for a new sheet vinyl floor on top of an existing one, will you please have a video about the prep? Thank you
vinyl plank is great. get a good thick product and don't install cabinets on top. it will contract the least of all flooring, or use real hardwood or softwood plank.. it will gap in the winter and return to normal in the spring.
Great video. Look forward to the Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring installation. I have done some before and I have another job coming up but I'm looking for your tips and tricks. Thanks for sharing.
I've seen every person use 1/4 ply wood underlayment and even call it Luan...when I read the back of the peel and stick vinyl flooring it specifically says no Luan or underlayment? It does say APA plywood is acceptable but I'm not sure how to know the difference?
Hi there We are installing vinyl planks in a small bathroom where the subfloor is particle board. What coating do you recommend we put on the board as a waterproofing barrier before we lay the planks? Cheers
Understanding that the luan/plywood sheets should be installed offset to the seams of the current sub floor underneath..BUT...is it important to try and plan your layout so that the luan/plywood edges line up on floor joists (meaning perpendicular luan/plywood ends are stapled through subfloor and into floor joists) or is it fine to simply terminate edges over the old sub floor in between joists allowing for a simple shifted layout of the existing sub floor pattern with no concern to how far off from floor joists you are? Thank you if you can answer this and thank you for all the great videos you publish!
Gah. Close - but i'm hoping to find one of your vids on a humpy plywood subfloor. There's a hump where one of the joists is then the plywood dips too much for me to lay my solid hardwood. Help a gal out?
Just joined. Been watching so many of your videos and by far, you're the best DIY person on the market. You know what's going on, you are always wanting to learn more about the industry, and you have easily saved me thousands of dollars. Liked, subbed, joined.
Thanks for making the videos. Just so I am clear. If I have oriented strand board down now and want to install vinyl flooring. It would be best to laydown a smoother plywood. This would I assume reduce a waive pattern that can create over time. Thanks
Do you have to install 1/4 in plywood on top of a basement subfloor (like dri-core) before installing vinyl plank? I've seen lots of SPC installation notes saying you cannot install SPC on top of any flooring (does that include dri-core?). Love your videos!!
Good question here. What do you prefer?: Battery or and gas nailers or the compressor kind I'm looking at the high-pressure compressor and nailguns. The price is almost the same all considering? Like to hear all the pros and negatives.
Sorry for the long post, but here it comes! I’ve been pouring over your videos the past few weeks and today joined! Hooray! I’m excited to install a beautiful floating vinyl plank floor. We ordered the product from a store and had them give us an estimate for removal, prep and instal. Their estimate came in over $8,000 which is out of our budget. I’m fairly handy and my husband is a good sport, so I think we can handle it but are stuck on a couple of questions. We have a 1986 house in Minnesota. Before our demo last weekend, the kitchen and mudroom were laminate and the dining and living room were carpet. The floor under the carpet is fairly level but dips in the last 12” approaching the internal wall. The kitchen has one raised spot in the center of an open area. At least 1/8” in 4’. Under the laminate we removed is the original sheet vinyl, which is still down until we figure out our plan. The level of the vinyl is at the exact height of the adjoining floor in the dining room. It appears to me that all rooms I have 1/2” subfloor with a 1/2” underlayment. Does that make sense? So, do I need to rip up the vinyl? It is in good shape and fully glued. Is it possible to use self leveling compound on the vinyl? Your videos on floor prep and self leveling compound have me excited to go for it, but I’m just not sure how to approach… Many thanks for being an incredible resource! Can’t believe how lucky we are for your willingness to be accessible and available!! Have a wonderful weekend!
welcome to the crew. you will find that the entire main floor is going to be the same height when you peel back the layers. you should start the flooring install once you have removed everything to the subfloor. once you are there if you have any issues then you can adress them with the leveler. Cheers!
Do u have to cover the gap with thin set and carbon fiber tape between tow plywood underlayment if u use laminate flooring sine i use 5/8 plywood to raise the subfloor thx
Great Information.Question's: I want to put luxury vinyl plank floating flooring in my kitchen. It has a layer old seamless vinyl glued to the concrete. Should I go over that old vinyl with a sub floor? Does a leveling compound adhere to vinyl? ? Do I need to put an under lament on the floor or can I install the planks over it?
Reviewing this one for flooring options. It just hit me, I haven’t seen you do a stamped concrete floor. If no one in Canada wants it, you can do mine in Arizona.
I'm getting ready to lay vinyl plank. I wasn't planning on putting new plywood over my existing subfloor first, but it looks like that's what you are doing. Is that standard practice?
Hi Will, in this case the floor had some cement residue and the stairs going up and down needed to have a height adjusment made due to the thickness of the flooring. It is not usually needed. Cheers!
We have an older home. Just bought LVP. We pulled up our carpet and found particle board instead of plywood. Since it's in good shape and plywood costs sooooo much right now, we are going to keep it. We have some spots that need leveled. However, the leveler that we bought said not to use it on particle board....how can we prep to lay down leveler? Also, do we need to add the 1/4 inch plywood on top of the particle board?
Hello Sir, great video.. as usual. Question: Vinyl planks over 33x33cm tiles/70 sqm. Yes or No. Some say yes - you say no. Should we rip out the tiles? Please say No.
I am installing plywood over my subfloor to prepare for vinyl flooring and leveling. I do not have a nail-gun. Does it have to be screwed or glued? Is there a nail I can hammer in? How far apart?
Just discovered you, you are the best! Quick question: I have contractors renovating my fixer upper. They put a new subfloor in the living room. My adjoinig kitchen floor is old hardwood. I was hoping to refinish the hardwood but it's not in the best shape. And because of the different floor heights ( I think the house was originally 2 houses joined together) the new living room subfloor almost exaclty matches the height of the kitchen hardwood floor now. Can I just lay a thin plywood over the entire kitchen hardwood and living room subfloor and then lay the underlayment throughout the kitchen and living room for my new vinyl flooring? Thanks in advance to anyone reading this and who responds.
Great video. I'm planning to install engineering hardwood myself. My house is a new build, so I'm wondering if there's anything I should watch out for during the subfloor preparation.
Engineered hardwood installs with glue or staples depending on the substrate. Just make sure if you are using staples to but the right length. You don't want to go too deep and risk puncturing your mechanical systems.
I'm installing spc vinyl plank in a 100 year old bungalow, Crawl space, with hardwood plank floors set right on top of the floor joists 16" centers. NO SUBFLOOR. What thickness of plywood or OSB to use on top of the hardwood to get it rigid and smooth?
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. I have a question. I am planning to lay plywood subfloor over tile. How do I secure the plywood over the tiles. There is wood subfloor underneath the tile.
Nice video. I am planning to try and do my neighbors kitchen floor with vinyl planks, she has linoleum now I think will need to be taken up first, and the lauan wasn't looking too hot when I looked at it from the vent so I might have to tear that up and put down a new layer. Is there a reason you used staples instead of nails? I use ryobi and they have a nail gun but not sure they have a staple gun so was going to use that. Also if the floor needs to be leveled would I just use some type of self leveler, and if so would I do that before the lauan or after?
Can you add plywood to concrete floor to raise the vinyl plank to be an (almost) even transition to tiling? If so, do you recommend gluing or screwing it place? Also do I need a vapor barrier between plywood and concrete?
Hi, How do i prepare floors for laminate? The original hardwood floors are rotten, so i ripped all of it out. Beneath the hardwood floor was a diagonal sub floor and the joist. What is the best way to secure it to the joist? or the plants? Do we need to secure it on the joist? I am thinking of a 7/16 OSB Board and a layer of vapor barrier. After that, I will be putting on a underlay and laminate floor.
![How To Install Underlay [Floor]](/img/1.gif)
There are a million videos on how to do stuff like this, but this channel is the only one I've found that gets into the "gotchas" of getting the job done. Construction is never as easy as it seems, and random, unexpected pain points always come up. This channel addresses those very well. That kind of quality can only come from someone who's done this a thousand times.
Thanks Jacob, made my freakin day!
All
Lllllllll
Lllllllllll
What is so interesting is none of it is random. This is all procedural.
Agreed on all points. This channel is solid gold
I'm a licensed for 20 years finish carpenter, not a flooring guy, but doing my own flooring now. I really appreciate your videos, really sincere, easy to follow, and don't waste time with useless talk. Thank you very much for the great info! If you're ever up in the northwest, drop in for a beer!
My favorite DIY channel on RUclips.
Nothing warms my heart better than to see a good man down on his knees working hard with a vacuum cleaner in hand! lol Thank you guys for the video.
LOL Thanks Sandi I needed that. Cheers!
Great video, but just a warning to anyone that buys that simple prep premix floor patch (like I did) if you have any sense of hurry. It dries in 4 hours, and shrinks like crazy, so count on a second application. Patching kills a day, assuming you don't find a bad staple later and need to do another patch round. Use this only if you want an excuse to stop and watch a few ball games. Pros use Ardex/Henry because it dries in 15 minutes.
This has turned into one of my favorite RUclips channels. Thanks for your insight and sharing!
Never have I ever met a house with a straight/square wall, a straight flat piece of timber/wood, or even a house, lol....
Love your little "nuggets" of wisdom & quips.
Cheers, A
Cheers!
You did it again. We just bought 7mm EVP flooring. Floor is unleveled 1 1\2 . You made this type of prepping floor look easy. I'm about to look at your next video on vunyl floor install. Thank you
Right on, Cheers and have a great install. make sure to watch the newer longer version with all the install tips. Cheers!
As a flooring professional for 40+ years, I couldn't find much fault with this video... except for how you stapled the underlayment down. When the panel is butted next to a previously installed panel, as in your example, it should be LIGHTLY butted (some underlayment manuf. require a tiny gap) and fastened on the long edge first, then the short edge that abuts the existing panels. Then, beginning in the corner nearest the adjoining panels, fasten in a fan shape (about 4" apart for quarter-inch, slightly farther apart for thicker panels) until you reach the far corner. This helps push all the warped fullness out, instead of trapping it and causing out-of-square gaps when you install the next panel.
Thanks Jim, I have never thought of the fan shape before. usually I have found it enough to just work right to left. But I can see it's merits. Will try on the next one.Thank you and Cheers!
What do you think of using floor leveler for vinyl like they do for tile?
I just removed glued down carpet pad from an OSB subfloor, to avoid trying to scrape all the glue up can I just add a new 1/4” subfloor on top? I plan to use a floating engineered vinyl plank for the finished floor.
I installed sheet vinyl flooring to my dad's small bathroom a few years ago. It was just loose lay over old vinyl flooring. He had me take measurements, but I'm not worth a crap with a tape measure for carpentry. I kept measuring the same things over and over again like I had OCD. I told my dad I'd rather get contractor's paper and make a pattern. I've been sewing and making patterns for decades, and that's what I'm used to. He scoffed at the idea and looked at me like I was a complete idiot and insisted on using the tape measure. Needless to say, it took me about an hour to do the measurements and draw a picture of what I was doing so my dad would understand. When I did cut the vinyl flooring, there was excess in some spots and shortages in other spots. It doesn't look great, but it covered the ugly 1970s vinyl flooring we used to have. If I'd had the time and patience and no one looking over my shoulder and screaming at me constantly, I probably would've done it the way I wanted to and did a better job.
perhaps we could do a video on that as well. Cheers to gettin er done.
As a 'Professional DIY' I have found your practical demos are a valuable source of information, especially when you demonstrate the common mistakes. Thank you.
Question: I am installing vinyl planking (LVP) to the entire main floor. In areas such as a perpendicular transition or butting up against a stair nosing transition piece, you cannot lock the cutoff ends into the transition pleace. What is the best method to solve this situation and if it's glue what is the correct type of glue to use when gluing the planking which has a rubber type backing?
This might be coming too late but what I did in my house for the LVP on stairs was using a product brand Bostik's "climb" or "treadlock" adhesive to fasten down those planks. Stair nosing is meant to overlay the LVP, so just make sure it's overlaid enough to prevent any gaps from showing on the coldest day of the year. My LVP has cork backing, but since you're working with rubber backing, I might suggest scuffing the backside with some sandpaper if you're concerned about proper adhesion. Hope I could help at least a little.
Hey Jeff,
Would you recommend using self leveler on the subfloor before putting the 1/4" underlayment to help flatten out the floor?
Can you pour self leveling underlayment material instead of plywood underlayment for your LVT?
ok super helpful video. just about to lay over fresh subfloor with screw indents and joins between the ply floor. Need to fill all the voids first. Didn't think of that being an issue. Thanks!
So that's what that box of staples in my shop are for. Thank you for taking the time to explain everything so well.
Extremely knowledgeable! Now I know why there's a nail showing under my vinyl floor! The installer did not use crown nails.
That is too bad. You could try a scalpel and glue down the flap after repairing it. But I would try in a closet first to see if you will like the result.
Ply is a bad underlay for flooring. Not allowed in Australia. Dont forget to check length of your drive pin on gun factory settings are 5mm past tip thats about the thickness of underlay.
So do you recommend covering the whole floor in 1/4 inch ply? Would you then put self leveler on top in low spots?
Jeff?
Question: 5x5' bathroom, putting vinyl planks, SmartCore Pro. But, would love to put the vinyl floating underneath heavy vanity. Vanity is not square base, but could cut vinyl carefully into notches. But best look would be vanity sitting on vinyl. Floor is straight, experienced with other bathroom vinyl. Vanity probably weighs about 150 lbs. Will this cause buckling and warping against the locking grooves? Or install on subfloor and cut vinyl around vanity?
Excellent video! I'm tearing tile out of my kitchen because it is broken because when they put it in they did not get the floor level. I'm going to install vynol flooring. Thanks for the tips.
Set your Saw on the correct depth cut it back to the floor Joyce’s and install a new piece of plywood. What you’re doing might look good today but over time it’s going to show through
Shut up Dick
should I remove the old sub floor first? Then lay the new sub floor ? Or can I lay the new sub floor and then 1/8 plywood sheets to make the floor smooth?
Best DIY channel by far that i've seen. Thanks for taking your time and sharing your expertise
Our pleasure Rich. Cheers!
Oh my gosh, this is eerily timely. We just this morning discovered the sub floor in our hallway bathroom is totally effed. We are definitely less stressed about it now! Thank you!
I'm thinking we should just go ahead and make it a wet room, I think it's called, so we never have to do this again. I'll peruse your videos to see if you've covered that topic.
Thanks again. As first time homeowners with seemingly never ending house issues and no experience, your videos are quite valuable.
The secret is too remove all the flooring back to original and then add the correct strength to the floor as required in your area. Usually 1 1/4 inches
Home RenoVision DIY Easy enough! Thanks!
Do you have a favorite waterproofing product? Like redguard, or something?
I like Mapei aqua defense.
You've just convinced me I need to purchase a crown staple gun. Off to the hardware store I go! Love your informative videos - thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Glad you use Norbord flooring :) made with love :)
Best videos for DIY help! A great teacher!!
Hi - I just finished my kitchen and 2 bathroom remodeling job. I used "CORETEC" luxury vinyl tile in the bathrooms and planks in the kitchen. The ones I used are rigid snap in tongue and groove with a 20 mil wear layer and a cork backing. 100% waterproof. My contractor did a great job in prepping the floor but it was not a lot of work since these go over most hard surfaces.
Yes remove nails, staples etc and no large elevation differences.
I selected the flooring and they installed it. They were very impressed with the quality and ease of laying the floor. This was a 1st time for them using this product.
Nice video and info!!!!
I use Torley's flooring and you can actually use a portable machine to replace planks after the fact if necessary.
Thanks for all the work your doing to help the Do-it yourself-ers out there!
glad to help!
Nice video, i dont have anything special to say this time but it woulf be rude not to comment lo. Have a nice day
Thank you for the comment Kevin. Cheers!
This is brilliantly helpful. Thank you for putting the video up.
😳 6:10 *I do this by doing an 'ice skating' motion in my socks* ... *I wouldn't advise using your feet to check for sharp bits though.*
This video came just in time; I'm just getting ready to start the flooring in my bathroom, thank you
This flooring is awesome in the bathroom. If you have a good subfloor you don't need to add the extra layer. just a 6 mil plastic will do.
I think we use masonite under Vinyl flooring here in Australia. Smooth as a babies bottom.
Very cool to hear! Thanks Michael. Cheers
Thanks for your help!
Greetings Sir Jeff!
I’ve been watching your GREAT videos (highlighting the deck videos) for quite a while since I saw your video last time about duct installation. I instantly subscribed to your channel because I know this is useful and fun at the same time. I used it and showed it to my report in our mechanical engineering laws, codes and practices class, and they liked it a lot!
Watching your videos inspires me to own a home in a suburb! Thanks again Sir, you’re awesome!
Thank you Jowett Millan, It is an honor to hear that you have been inspired. Thank you for your comment and all the best to you with your studies. Cheers!
Do you have a video on redoing bathroom flooring down to the floor board? Of not would you make a video? Thanks
on the way in a march. Cheers!
Thank you for details video, how do we prep for a new sheet vinyl floor on top of an existing one, will you please have a video about the prep? Thank you
That was worth the time
Looking at doing a flooring job at my northern cottage. Unheated in winter so what should I be considering for a durable floor.
vinyl plank is great. get a good thick product and don't install cabinets on top. it will contract the least of all flooring, or use real hardwood or softwood plank.. it will gap in the winter and return to normal in the spring.
I love you omg finally someone knows what here talking about
Great video. Look forward to the Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring installation. I have done some before and I have another job coming up but I'm looking for your tips and tricks. Thanks for sharing.
That video is coming out next week. Thanks for the comment! cheers!
I've seen every person use 1/4 ply wood underlayment and even call it Luan...when I read the back of the peel and stick vinyl flooring it specifically says no Luan or underlayment? It does say APA plywood is acceptable but I'm not sure how to know the difference?
One thing I've noticed about the divots, bumps, etc in vinyl floors, they really, really show up in real estate photos!!
just nasty!
Hi there
We are installing vinyl planks in a small bathroom where the subfloor is particle board. What coating do you recommend we put on the board as a waterproofing barrier before we lay the planks? Cheers
Jenny Tabaillou Same question from me. Red guard? I’ve even considered throwing ditra under there. Thoughts?
I'm in the same boat. I don't know if I need anything between subfloor and floating floor or not. Lol, help us!
Understanding that the luan/plywood sheets should be installed offset to the seams of the current sub floor underneath..BUT...is it important to try and plan your layout so that the luan/plywood edges line up on floor joists (meaning perpendicular luan/plywood ends are stapled through subfloor and into floor joists) or is it fine to simply terminate edges over the old sub floor in between joists allowing for a simple shifted layout of the existing sub floor pattern with no concern to how far off from floor joists you are? Thank you if you can answer this and thank you for all the great videos you publish!
when installing 1/4 plywood there is no reason to consider the frame work in the structure. simply staple and go!
Gah. Close - but i'm hoping to find one of your vids on a humpy plywood subfloor. There's a hump where one of the joists is then the plywood dips too much for me to lay my solid hardwood. Help a gal out?
by the way, totally stalking your channel. HUGE fan. :)
Just joined. Been watching so many of your videos and by far, you're the best DIY person on the market. You know what's going on, you are always wanting to learn more about the industry, and you have easily saved me thousands of dollars. Liked, subbed, joined.
Thanks for making the videos. Just so I am clear. If I have oriented strand board down now and want to install vinyl flooring. It would be best to laydown a smoother plywood. This would I assume reduce a waive pattern that can create over time. Thanks
Do you have to install 1/4 in plywood on top of a basement subfloor (like dri-core) before installing vinyl plank? I've seen lots of SPC installation notes saying you cannot install SPC on top of any flooring (does that include dri-core?). Love your videos!!
Good question here. What do you prefer?: Battery or and gas nailers or the compressor kind I'm looking at the high-pressure compressor and nailguns. The price is almost the same all considering? Like to hear all the pros and negatives.
Dewalt
20v
Sorry for the long post, but here it comes! I’ve been pouring over your videos the past few weeks and today joined! Hooray!
I’m excited to install a beautiful floating vinyl plank floor. We ordered the product from a store and had them give us an estimate for removal, prep and instal. Their estimate came in over $8,000 which is out of our budget. I’m fairly handy and my husband is a good sport, so I think we can handle it but are stuck on a couple of questions.
We have a 1986 house in Minnesota. Before our demo last weekend, the kitchen and mudroom were laminate and the dining and living room were carpet.
The floor under the carpet is fairly level but dips in the last 12” approaching the internal wall.
The kitchen has one raised spot in the center of an open area. At least 1/8” in 4’.
Under the laminate we removed is the original sheet vinyl, which is still down until we figure out our plan.
The level of the vinyl is at the exact height of the adjoining floor in the dining room.
It appears to me that all rooms I have 1/2” subfloor with a 1/2” underlayment. Does that make sense?
So, do I need to rip up the vinyl? It is in good shape and fully glued. Is it possible to use self leveling compound on the vinyl? Your videos on floor prep and self leveling compound have me excited to go for it, but I’m just not sure how to approach…
Many thanks for being an incredible resource! Can’t believe how lucky we are for your willingness to be accessible and available!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
welcome to the crew. you will find that the entire main floor is going to be the same height when you peel back the layers. you should start the flooring install once you have removed everything to the subfloor. once you are there if you have any issues then you can adress them with the leveler. Cheers!
This is the second video of yours I have watched. Very good info, good detail, including the why as well as how.
Do u have to cover the gap with thin set and carbon fiber tape between tow plywood underlayment if u use laminate flooring sine i use 5/8 plywood to raise the subfloor thx
Maaaaan your Drill make a hell of a noice its so loud and noicie
Another good one Jeff.
Thanks Larry, BTW we have the concrete counter top video coming out today!
Jeff you freaking rock. I love watching this because it’s just so interesting even though I’ll probably never do a lot of this.
Never say never..... The future can be surprising.
Great video and very specifically descriptive which videos need. Very useful!!! Subscribed!👌🏽💯
Great Information.Question's: I want to put luxury vinyl plank floating flooring in my kitchen. It has a layer old seamless vinyl glued to the concrete. Should I go over that old vinyl with a sub floor? Does a leveling compound adhere to vinyl? ? Do I need to put an under lament on the floor or can I install the planks over it?
Hi joseph, if the old floor is in decent shape then feel free to install on top! Cheers!
Hello, can you use the the crown stapler to join the plywood to concrete base or tile base?
Can you I use a crown stapler for 1/2 inch plywood in this same exact application?
Thanks for another excellent video! I thought luxury vinyl planks such as Kardean could be installed directly concrete? no need for plywood?
Excellent! Very helpful.
Another great video!👍👍👍☺
Would it be a good thing to add some glue before putting a new plywood sheet on ? Structuraly more efficient ?
Excellent video man!
Excellent lessons. I'd like to pursuit this career :). Thank you.
Reviewing this one for flooring options. It just hit me, I haven’t seen you do a stamped concrete floor. If no one in Canada wants it, you can do mine in Arizona.
I'm getting ready to lay vinyl plank. I wasn't planning on putting new plywood over my existing subfloor first, but it looks like that's what you are doing. Is that standard practice?
Hi Will, in this case the floor had some cement residue and the stairs going up and down needed to have a height adjusment made due to the thickness of the flooring. It is not usually needed. Cheers!
@@HomeRenoVisionDIY Thank you for taking the effort to reply. You are doing a good job. Best wishes.
Can I use floor paint product to encapsulate asbestos tile then put high end vinyl plank flooring over it?? Which paint do you recommend?
You know your stuff dude. Great info!
We have an older home. Just bought LVP. We pulled up our carpet and found particle board instead of plywood. Since it's in good shape and plywood costs sooooo much right now, we are going to keep it. We have some spots that need leveled. However, the leveler that we bought said not to use it on particle board....how can we prep to lay down leveler? Also, do we need to add the 1/4 inch plywood on top of the particle board?
Very good
In this video you're using a nail puller and a hammer in one, I was wondering what brand it is . Can you write about it. Thanks
Hello Sir, great video.. as usual. Question: Vinyl planks over 33x33cm tiles/70 sqm. Yes or No. Some say yes - you say no. Should we rip out the tiles? Please say No.
What if my wood subfloor is not leveled? Any suggestions?
Can you do a video on installing can lights without attic access?
Sorry Nelson. I don't use Can lights anymore. I only use slim line led's, and yes that video is coming.
I am installing plywood over my subfloor to prepare for vinyl flooring and leveling. I do not have a nail-gun. Does it have to be screwed or glued? Is there a nail I can hammer in? How far apart?
Just discovered you, you are the best! Quick question: I have contractors renovating my fixer upper. They put a new subfloor in the living room. My adjoinig kitchen floor is old hardwood. I was hoping to refinish the hardwood but it's not in the best shape. And because of the different floor heights ( I think the house was originally 2 houses joined together) the new living room subfloor almost exaclty matches the height of the kitchen hardwood floor now. Can I just lay a thin plywood over the entire kitchen hardwood and living room subfloor and then lay the underlayment throughout the kitchen and living room for my new vinyl flooring? Thanks in advance to anyone reading this and who responds.
Great video. I'm planning to install engineering hardwood myself. My house is a new build, so I'm wondering if there's anything I should watch out for during the subfloor preparation.
Engineered hardwood installs with glue or staples depending on the substrate. Just make sure if you are using staples to but the right length. You don't want to go too deep and risk puncturing your mechanical systems.
I'm installing spc vinyl plank in a 100 year old bungalow, Crawl space, with hardwood plank floors set right on top of the floor joists 16" centers. NO SUBFLOOR. What thickness of plywood or OSB to use on top of the hardwood to get it rigid and smooth?
Good video - what if your sub-floor is easily 40+ year old particle board with vinyl sheet over it ? Worth it to remove and replace with plywood?
You could remove and most likely just put down the plastic layer recommended. I used pylwood due to the extensive damage to the existing floor.
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. I have a question. I am planning to lay plywood subfloor over tile. How do I secure the plywood over the tiles. There is wood subfloor underneath the tile.
you need to remove the tile.
We make things too tough on ourselves sometimes! Thats what I like about your videos, you save us from ourselves.
Nice video. I am planning to try and do my neighbors kitchen floor with vinyl planks, she has linoleum now I think will need to be taken up first, and the lauan wasn't looking too hot when I looked at it from the vent so I might have to tear that up and put down a new layer. Is there a reason you used staples instead of nails? I use ryobi and they have a nail gun but not sure they have a staple gun so was going to use that. Also if the floor needs to be leveled would I just use some type of self leveler, and if so would I do that before the lauan or after?
awesome videos, am putting down vinyl click flooring from Costco, should I remove old lenolium floor first or can I put vinyl over it
Yoiu don't need to. That is one of the beautiful things about vinyl.
for 5mm (1/5") subfloor, do you use staples or screws?
Can’t wait for the vinyl install!
Only 6 days left.Cheers!
Thank you again for the high quality beautiful videos!
Thanks Red Yumi, good to hear from you again.Cheers
Great video man!!
I love the way you explain every detail from now on I will be your grass hopper
Can you add plywood to concrete floor to raise the vinyl plank to be an (almost) even transition to tiling? If so, do you recommend gluing or screwing it place? Also do I need a vapor barrier between plywood and concrete?
Yes u need a vapor barrier.
nice video it will help me to do my floor , thanks
Awesome. Cheers!
Could you put something like that thin wood over an old hardwood floor and use self leaving compound on it?
You are freaking brilliant
I don't know If I would go that far, but thanks for commenting!
so we don't need to use floor screws if we are using staples, right?
Hi, How do i prepare floors for laminate? The original hardwood floors are rotten, so i ripped all of it out. Beneath the hardwood floor was a diagonal sub floor and the joist. What is the best way to secure it to the joist? or the plants? Do we need to secure it on the joist? I am thinking of a 7/16 OSB Board and a layer of vapor barrier. After that, I will be putting on a underlay and laminate floor.
What is your idea of luxury vinyl flooring ? Links? I've just bought a quad and need to do all 4 apartment floors. Thank you.
Showing the install video next Saturday evening at 9:00
Great information. Thanks for your videos. Very informative!
Thanks Jeffrey, we appreciate the comment. Glad to help!
Is the laun, plywood, or what should be used?
Great Video!