Should I put Luan over subfloor?

Installing Luan Panels



Luan installs on top of a subfloor since the sheets are not structurally sound and cannot take the place of a subfloor. Start in one corner of the room and lay a full sheet of luan perpendicular to the direction of the subfloor panels. Leave a 1/16 inch gap between the walls and the luan panel.

Do you have to put Luan under vinyl flooring?

A flat subfloor allows your vinyl to firmly stick to the ground, making it more comfortable to step on. One way to provide a smooth, even surface for your vinyl is to install Luan plywood, a thin, lightweight underlayment material that works great for vinyl sheets.

What do you put on vinyl before subfloor?

Vinyl flooring is usually not installed directly over the subfloor in residential applications. In most cases 4-by-8-foot sheets of particle board or plywood must be installed in preparation for the vinyl floor install.

What do you put on subfloor before peel and stick?

Primer. Latex primer, similar to paint, seals plywood and helps peel-and-stick tiles adhere better. Before priming, spread floor-leveling compound over seams and screw hole depressions, scraping off the excess with a putty knife or trowel. This compound is cement-based and turns into paste when mixed with water.

What is the difference between Luan and plywood?

Luan or lauan is actually a type of plywood. It’s made from tropical timber, often from the Shorea family. The name comes from a tree in the Philippines, but you can find it all over south-east Asia. They make it from thin veneers of luan that are glued together to produce a soft plywood that has a very smooth surface.

Is underlayment the same as Luan?

Luan is also sometimes used as an underlayment for resilient flooring, but professionals warn that it should only be used as a supplement to a more durable subfloor, mostly because of the danger of swelling from moisture intrusion. Luan is also used for some cabinet applications, such as for thin divider panels.

Can you put peel and stick over plywood?

When installing vinyl flooring over plywood, peel and stick tiles will bond to bare plywood, but you must ensure the plywood is secure and clean first. With the variety of peel and stick vinyl tiles available, This Old House points out, you can get creative designing floors with different patterns, colors and borders.

How do you prepare a floor for vinyl peel and stick?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: No matter what the surface it must be free of old adhesive moisture.

Will vinyl flooring stick to plywood?

As a general rule, you can install vinyl flooring over plywood. In fact, it’s recommended to put a ¼ inch (6 mm) layer of plywood on top of the subfloor you’re installing the vinyl on to.

What kind of plywood goes under vinyl flooring?

Plywood underlayment is a thin plywood material that is most commonly used under resilient flooring materials, such as vinyl and linoleum sheets and tiles.

What kind of plywood do you use for vinyl flooring?

Cover the floor area with either a 4mm or 6mm plywood – the thickness selected should be determined by the quality of the surface being covered. Ply should be of suitable quality, eg SP101. Wood should be fixed using screws, twisted shank or ring shank nails, serrated or divergent staples.

How do you prepare plywood for vinyl flooring?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: As you can see and now this is right over our plywood subfloor this is gonna give us that nice smooth surface. If you have a concrete foundation. You don't need to do this but with a wood foundation.

How do you prepare a floor before laying vinyl?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: First of all remove all existing soft floor coverings such as carpeting belt and vinyl hard floor coverings such as tiles and linoleum can stay in place unless there are too many irregularities.

How do you prepare wood subfloor for vinyl planks?

5 Simple Steps to Prepare a Subfloor for Vinyl Flooring

  1. Step 1: Test the Floor for Moisture. …
  2. Step 2: Repair Holes and Cracks. …
  3. Step 3: Sand Down Bumpy Areas. …
  4. Step 4: Clean the Subfloor. …
  5. Step 5: Install Underlayment (Optional)


What type of underlayment do you use for vinyl plank flooring?

The rule of thumb is any vinyl over 4mm can have a vinyl specific underlayment. With thinner vinyl flooring construction, adding a foam underlayment can effect the locking system strength. Vinyl floors under 4mm should be installed right over the subfloor.

Do you need underlay for vinyl plank flooring on plywood?

Also, keep in mind that some apartment complexes and Homeowner Associations may actually require you to have your flooring installed with a sound barrier. So yes, you do need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring.

Is underlayment necessary for vinyl flooring?

If you’re wondering about luxury vinyl plank underlayment, that’s one of the appeals — it usually doesn’t need underlayment. In fact, as a softer flooring, adding an underlayment could mean too much cushion, resulting in dents and more wear and tear sooner. Opt for a dense underlayment if you go for one.