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?
Videos
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Hello, I am redoing my entryway stairs and was looking into vinyl options. My plan was to use 36" x 12" vinyl plank tiles https://www.homedepot.ca/product/trafficmaster-mojave-12-inch-x-36-inch-luxury-vinyl-tile-flooring-24-sq-ft-case-/1000661812
Cut these to size and glue them down to the stair tread using vinyl floor glue. I would then use metal nosing to cover the front. I plan to just paint the riser.
However, reading the instructions for this vinyl it recommends not using on stairs. Is there a reason this wouldn't work? If so what would be a better alternative?
Thanks for any replies.
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?
You'd want to use a product like a "vinyl floor overlap stair nose".
This term is used at a US-based big-box store and was one of the items that was listed in a search for "vinyl floor transition molding".
There are a gazillion options, it's up you to pick one that works for your flooring choice. Note that you may need to extend the plywood out to the edge of the stair nose to get a flush finish depending on which nosing trim piece you select.
It's likely that the flooring manufacturer will make a nosing trim piece that will match the particular pattern you've chosen, I'd suggest looking through their online catalogue and picking something out. I'm sure you could order it directly or through whomever you bought your flooring from.
I really don't like lapped transitions at stairs. That's a really bad place for a trip hazard, and they always seem to be flexible and creaky, which feels cheap.
I'd probably do this:
- Remove the existing nosing flush with the riser. Your new underlayment should also end flush with the riser.
- Install a new nosing (or reinstall the removed one) with its top face just a smidgen above the final height of the vinyl. You want it just above because flush joints are usually ugly and because it'll protect the edge of the vinyl. I'm talking 1/16" (~1.5mm) at the most.
- Fit your vinyl to the back face of the nosing.
One challenge you'll have is supporting the nosing well. There can be a lot of load stress on it, so you ideally want to use construction adhesive and long screws into solid framing. Then, glue and nail the cove underneath back into place to act as further support.