The rep swears up And down loose lay is fine BS. I've fixed so many over the years and refuse to do them. Full spread glue is the way Answer from Monkmastaa on reddit.com
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Wood and Beyond
woodandbeyond.com › home › 10 disadvantages of loose lay flooring
10 Disadvantages of Loose Lay Flooring - Wood and Beyond Blog
June 17, 2024 - This can be particularly problematic ... Loose lay flooring, typically made from vinyl, is vulnerable to damage from liquids if not promptly cleaned up....
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BuildDirect
builddirect.com › blogs › expert-advice-on-flooring › the-pros-and-cons-of-loose-lay-vinyl-plank-flooring
The Pros and Cons of Loose Lay Vinyl Plank Flooring – BuildDirect
Here are a few disadvantages of loose lay vinyl plank flooring to consider when deciding which installation method is right for you: Since loose lay vinyl planks aren’t stuck to the ground, they may move or slide apart.
Discussions

Loose laid flooring is the bane of my life! 😭
If everything is cut in already you could simply glue it down now and then caulk around everything. If you aren’t comfortable doing that, tell the store to send someone back and do it. No one should just loose lay sheet vinyl like that. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Flooring
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February 3, 2024
Loose Lay Flooring - Does It Suck? - Home Improvement Forum
Laminate flooring is also no good for water - so that is out. I then moved to LVP with click system. I like them, the seams are TIGHT because they have to be. Install is fairly easy. I'm about to start a reno of a house and someone suggested I try loose lay vinyl planks. More on house-improvements.com
🌐 house-improvements.com
Loose Lay LVP cons?
The rep swears up And down loose lay is fine BS. I've fixed so many over the years and refuse to do them. Full spread glue is the way More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Flooring
42
7
September 9, 2024
The truth about vinyl plank
We had “click in” LVP put in our basement 7 years ago. It’s installed on concrete. We are in an area with a lot of temperature fluctuations throughout the year. We’ve never had a single issue with it. I have two large dogs that are on it daily. It’s also in their room where they drop hard toys, spill water, scratch etc. It still looks brand new. When the bar countertops were being installed, they dropped a slab and dented a plank. The flooring installer was able to pop it right out and put a new one in so easy. I prefer the look of hardwood which we have in the rest of the house but I’ll take LVP over carpet or tile in the basement any day. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/interiordecorating
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November 14, 2023
People also ask

Is loose lay flooring durable?
Loose lay flooring generally offers less durability and a shorter lifespan compared to more permanently fixed flooring options. It is susceptible to punctures, tears, wear patterns, and buckling.
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woodandbeyond.com
woodandbeyond.com › home › 10 disadvantages of loose lay flooring
10 Disadvantages of Loose Lay Flooring - Wood and Beyond Blog
Is professional installation necessary for loose lay flooring?
Yes, professional installation is often necessary to ensure loose lay flooring is laid correctly. The expertise of a professional ensures that each piece is accurately placed, preventing issues such as buckling or gaps.
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woodandbeyond.com
woodandbeyond.com › home › 10 disadvantages of loose lay flooring
10 Disadvantages of Loose Lay Flooring - Wood and Beyond Blog
Does loose lay flooring save money over click-type flooring?
While loose lay flooring may seem cost-effective initially, considering the entire lifecycle and maintenance requirements, it often does not present real savings over click-type flooring systems. Click flooring tends to offer better durability and stability.
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woodandbeyond.com
woodandbeyond.com › home › 10 disadvantages of loose lay flooring
10 Disadvantages of Loose Lay Flooring - Wood and Beyond Blog
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/flooring › loose lay lvp cons?
r/Flooring on Reddit: Loose Lay LVP cons?
September 9, 2024 -

I've been doing some research on flooring while I'm doing a full basement Reno in my house and have settled firmly on LVP. My hang-up now is on the type.

A few years ago we put down loose-lay LVP in my parents basement and it was piss-easy for amateurs like us to install, and has held up amazingly for about 5 years of being a second kitchen/kids play area that gets very regular use.

I have been browsing this sub for a few months now and have seen tons and tons of LVP, but very little loose-lay. Cost and performance-wise, they seem comparable, but installation seems a million times easier, and maintenance is infinitely easier since individual planks can be removed.

I guess my question is, what downsides am I missing? Why isn't loose-lay used more? Have any of you had bad experiences with it?

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The Flooring Guys
theflooringguys.com.au › home › what is the problem with loose lay vinyl planks
What is the Problem with Loose Lay Vinyl Planks - The Flooring Guys
July 3, 2023 - Scratches and dents: Use protective felt pads on furniture legs and avoid dragging heavy objects across the floor. Conclusion: Loose lay vinyl planks offer several advantages in terms of installation ease, flexibility, and reusability. However, it’s important to be aware of potential challenges that may arise.
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Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 3661159 › loose-lay-vinyl-flooring
Loose lay vinyl flooring
Glue down vinyl planks are OH SO CLOSE to being water proof. Not cheap to install (can be more expensive than sheet). They are NOT easy to lay. They are NOT easy to remove (some are if you use pressure sensitive adhesive...that's another story). Too many variables to work with.
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National Floors Direct
nationalfloorsdirect.com › learn › articles › how-to-fix-luxury-vinyl-flooring-that-is-lifting-addressing-common-issues
How to Fix Luxury Vinyl Flooring That Is Lifting: Addressing Common Issues
May 29, 2025 - Gently Lift the Affected Plank/Tile: Use a putty knife or pry bar (carefully to avoid damage) to gently lift the loose LVF. Clean any old adhesive from the back of the plank/tile and the subfloor.
Find elsewhere
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D & R Flooring
drflooring.ca › home › blog posts › exploring the pros and cons of loose lay vinyl flooring: everything you need to know
Exploring the Pros and Cons of Loose Lay Vinyl Flooring: Everything Yo – D & R Flooring
September 23, 2025 - Our Seoul Loose Lay Vinyl Collection showcases a unique PVC flooring installation technique that eliminates the need for glue or nails. Instead, the planks' weight, along with a rubber backing, ensures a secure fit without any adhesive mess.
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Airstream
airforums.com › airstream restoration, repair & parts forums › interior restoration forum › floor finishes
Loose lay vinyl plank flooring, taking the plunge | Airstream Forums
April 26, 2015 - My vinyl floor was a click together type. The joints aren't strong enough to lock together. So I have some gaps open up just from walking on it. I wish I had used adhesive tape on them. I'll use it for a few years and then maybe I'll get a better floor. The cork in the 86 Limited has held up very well. David ... Very nice work Bob. We have the same camper with the same layout as yours.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/flooring › loose laid flooring is the bane of my life! 😭
r/Flooring on Reddit: Loose laid flooring is the bane of my life! 😭
February 3, 2024 -

Hi everyone, we have loose laid sheet vinyl in our kitchen and bathrooms.

My issue is not with the vinyl but with how it has been fitted. We were not given a proper consultation on what to expect and not told it was loose laid and it has cause some issues.

My main question is: should it be caulked around the edges? Currently it is not and I worry with the gaps around the skirting boards, toilets and showers etc we are opening ourselves to some damp and mould issues underneath the flooring?

Also, in the kitchen around the end cupboard there is a lump where it looks like the floor has been possibly cut incorrectly so it can’t lie flat. How do we fix this?

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Wood Floor Business
woodfloorbusiness.com › business › inspections › article › 15634421 › what-ive-learned-as-an-inspector-for-luxury-vinyl-flooring
What I’ve Learned as an Inspector for ‘Luxury Vinyl’ Flooring | Wood Floor Business
September 15, 2023 - Think, if you will, about the people who are physically making luxury vinyl and their health risks. More common LVP problems I see: buckling and end peaking (at left) and chunks missing at board edges (at right).
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Aa Floors
aafloors.ca › home › blog › 3 problems with luxury vinyl and their solutions
3 Problems with Luxury Vinyl and Their Solutions - AA Floors
March 17, 2023 - Problems include crumpling at the edges, as the adhesive has loosened, or, as in case of LVT, problems with abatement chemicals which can react adversely with these flooring materials.
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FlooringStores
flooringstores.com › home › no glue, no clicks: your guide to loose lay vinyl flooring
Loose Lay Vinyl Flooring: What It Is, Pros & Cons
June 13, 2024 - Luckily, you can install loose lay vinyl flooring right on top of many other surfaces! Just make sure the surface is even and moisture-free; otherwise, seams or other problems could develop.
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The Flooring Forum
theflooringforum.com › threads › general-consensus-on-looselay.18745
General consensus on Looselay | The Flooring Forum - Number 1 Floor Advise forum
Hi all, What's the general consensus looselay? I've seen conflicting opinions in this forum - some recommendations, and some not so complimentary....
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Floor Daily
floordaily.net › floorfocus › the-potential-pitfalls-of-luxury-vinyl-flooring-flooring-forensics-augsep-16
The potential pitfalls of luxury vinyl flooring: Flooring Forensics - Aug/Sep 16
This is not a problem, it’s a catastrophe! Another concern with LVT is slipping on a wet surface or one that is contaminated with something like ice melt pellets (calcium chloride)-yup, the same stuff used to do moisture vapor emission tests. If this substance is deposited on the surface, ...
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Sawmill Creek
sawmillcreek.org › forums › forum info and community discussion › off topic forum
How can "loose lay" vinyl plank flooring possibly work? | Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community
August 24, 2019 - The stuff is 3/16" thick which would be like a bunch of rubber floor mats laying on the floor. You wouldn't be able to scoot furniture on it or even slide a chair back while sitting at a table or it would pull the planks. If I were going to use that type floor I would use something like this. The edges have a shelf adhesive tab where the planks are stuck together but not to the floor. https://www.asphome.org/tnhub/product/vinyl-plank-flooring-cherry-luxury/
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BuildDirect
builddirect.com › blogs › expert-advice-on-flooring › the-pros-cons-of-drop-and-done-loose-lay-vinyl-flooring
The Pros & Cons of Drop and Done (Loose Lay) Vinyl Flooring – BuildDirect
January 17, 2025 - If this happens, you should fix it immediately so it doesn’t get worse or cause additional problems. Like all flooring options, drop and done flooring isn’t impervious to damage or lacking imperfections, but it’s still a terrific flooring option. Whether you’re talking about loose lay vinyl ...
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EXPRESSFLOORING
expressflooring.com › recent-blogs › blogs › loose-lay-vinyl-plank-flooring-pros-and-cons
Loose Lay Vinyl Plank Flooring – Pros and Cons [Updated]
Loose lay vinyl flooring goes down quickly and it relies on friction to remain in place over time. The planks are essentially thick vinyl rectangles with rubber backing that lay flat over a nice ...
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Novafloor
novafloor.us › loose-lay-qa-with-floor-covering-weekly
Loose Lay Q&A with Floor Covering Weekly | NovaFloor Luxury Vinyl Tile
Not every environment is suitable for loose lay, as John explains: “The only environment that is not suitable for Loose Lay LVT is when you have uneven subfloor, and you don’t want to deal with patching and fixing it.
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Home Improvement Forum
house-improvements.com › home improvement forum › forums › interior
Loose Lay Flooring - Does It Suck? - Home Improvement Forum
I just can't imagine how tight the seams could possibly be when loose, they can't be TIGHT and perfect like a click system. A couple years ago I installed some flooring from Home Depot, it was not click together. It was loose lay that used some type of tape to secure one piece of flooring to the next.
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Physics Forums
physicsforums.com › other sciences › diy projects
Anyone tried "loose lay" vinyl plank flooring? • Physics Forums
August 27, 2019 - This discussion centers on "loose lay" vinyl plank flooring, highlighting its waterproof design and the importance of a smooth underlayment for successful installation. Users emphasize that the floor's installation requires precise flatness tolerances of ¼ inch in 10 feet to avoid visual discrepancies compared to promotional materials.