“Can I install luxury vinyl plank over existing laminate flooring with a 4mm thickness difference, and should I use underlayment?”
Asked by Jandira Ramos 
3 months ago
Last Updated: August 27, 2024
Hey guys,
So, we’re thinking about switching out our laminate flooring for some fancy luxury vinyl planks. Right now, we’ve got two different thicknesses of flooring down (12mm and 8mm), you can check out the pictures.
I’m wondering:
1. Can I just lay the luxury vinyl right on top of what we’ve got?
2. If so, is it cool even though there’s a 4mm difference in thickness between the floors?
3. Do I still need to use underlayment?
Would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks in advance.
I really enjoy using underlayment, especially the quiet walk type because it helps reduce noise. I always make sure to even out the floor and add something to create a slope underneath the area where everything comes together.
Just a heads up – using underlayment might void the warranty in certain instances, so it’s good for people to know that.
Avoid using LVP as it’s generally not durable and won’t withstand the test of time, even the ones marketed as kid and pet-proof.
I would remove the old stuff gently. It doesn’t take much time to do so
Hey, we’ve got customers who absolutely love it! Plus, they can easily switch out their flooring in about 7 or 8 years to a whole new style. It’s not as labor-intensive as tile, and definitely not as difficult to remove as hardwood. Just make sure to go for high-quality brands to avoid any installation issues. Opt for cheap brands and you’ll end up with 5 or 6 boxes of subpar quality in every pallet, or even more. That’s just my personal take on it.
I’m and I work at Costco. I can’t say for certain about the quality of our products.
I’ve never tried any products from Costco, so I can’t really speak to their quality.
Before installing new flooring, make sure to remove the old flooring first. I used to work in a flooring store and trust me, it’s a huge inconvenience, especially for the person who ends up fixing it later. Do it properly, not the easy way. Taking shortcuts may even void the warranty of your new flooring if problems arise.
It’s a good idea to start by taking out the old flooring.
What is underneath the current flooring? Is it also a floating floor? Regardless, it needs to be removed.
You really shouldn’t layer one floating floor over another. It’s important to ensure that the floors are level before installing lvp on top. Have you checked the wear layer thickness on the lvp? If it’s only .5mm, you might want to reconsider. A wear layer that thin will easily scratch. For residential use, aim for a minimum of 6 mil, but 12 mil or higher is even better.
Have you thought about using sheet linoleum instead? It’s the same material but with fewer pieces to worry about.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMaster-Autumn-Brown-Oak-Residential-Vinyl-Sheet-Flooring-12-ft-Wide-x-Cut-to-Length-U9160405K743G14/322902535?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D23F-023_002_STOCK_CARPET-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-4035553-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-VinylSheet&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D23F-023_002_STOCK_CARPET-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-4035553-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-VinylSheet-71700000106465341-58700008270473300-92700076236621693&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2eKtBhDcARIsAEGTG401_6UZKwCXC-rL2XPA2ZDSPiX-G3xXXdaD7xuPrngjakoIh6Ft-lgaArvzEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
We had lvp put in our house and they did a terrible job (long story as to why making them try to fix it a third time is not an option). I believe when we have to replace it in maybe another year or two, I’m simply going to opt for linoleum, much easier!
Personally, I’m not a fan of grey/gray, but make sure to carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re unsure, consider hiring someone to do it. Uneven areas can significantly impact the installation. If you have a concrete slab, the existing flooring must be removed and a vapor barrier should be installed without a pad. Most options already have a built-in pad.
This is our least valuable player. It connects the living room, kitchen, hallway, and two bedrooms seamlessly. The bathroom, laundry room, and our son’s room have different flooring. By the way, my wife and I installed this flooring throughout the entire house.
Lift up the laminate. If it’s floating laminate, it should be pretty easy. Make sure the floor is level and then install your Vinyl plank. Trust me, it will save you a lot of headaches that you probably haven’t even thought about yet.
Avoid turning grey!
What’s the reasoning behind that?
I think is a bit overdone…maybe more of a mix between grey and brown would be better. I feel like the grey is the best choice. 🏔️
I’ve never been a fan of the light gray, but the variations you mentioned sound much better. Let’s go with that one.
Great job, !
Thanks.
Avoid gray at all costs
Because what?
Is just awful
It really does show every little detail!
Personally doesn’t prefer light gray floors. In my experience, darker colors tend to highlight every little thing, including scratches.
Personally, I’d remove it. Laminate can be removed quite easily.
(1) Choose any color that you like. (2) LVP is a fantastic choice as it is durable. (3) Remove the laminate easily instead of layering over it. Enjoy your stunning new grey LVP floor!
The color variations on this are really nice. I hope you’re loving it!
Thanks. Sometimes it’s tough to decide whether to proceed based on certain comments.
Focus on the process comments, not personal opinions. You’re here for guidance, so pay no attention to the rest.
You’ll have to remove the current floor. Since you already have a floating floor, you might not need to do much prep work for the new one. Laminate flooring comes up easily because it’s not attached to anything. When I’ve installed LVP, it had the underlayment/pad attached, but if yours doesn’t, use an underlay. Take your time, the first few rows are crucial. If they’re not aligned, it will cause issues later in the installation. Overall, installing LVP isn’t too hard, but it can be frustrating at times.
I recommend sticking with SPC instead of vinyl for a higher quality and waterproof option.
Haha they’re actually different, but I think they may market it as vinyl plank because more people ask for that, even though it’s actually SPC. SPC is made of stone composite, not vinyl, so they are distinct.
I noticed the embossed in register feature on the box, which means the grain matches the wood picture for a more authentic look.
Just so you know, the underlayment is actually built into the bottom of the floor as xpe foam.
Do you mean that there’s no extra underlayment needed for this situation?
It’s true that warranties can be tricky. Make sure to always read the instructions carefully. If there are any issues and they come to inspect the installation, they might refuse the warranty claim if something was done incorrectly, even if it wasn’t related to the problem. So check out the recommendations for your subfloor and installation process.
Hey , I don’t think the wear layer on this product is very durable. They recommend a minimum of 6 mils, but suggest 12 mils for residential use. You could easily scratch the floor just by walking on it.
My wear layer is 0.5mm thick, which is equivalent to 19 mils
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If you prefer grey, go ahead and use it. It’s your space. Unless you’re planning to sell your home soon and your realtor recommends a different color to enhance its marketability, the decision is entirely up to you. ‘t let too many opinions cloud a straightforward design question.
Stay away from grey tones!
A lot of people are suggesting avoiding grey because it’s considered a trendy color that can make your house look dated. Grey floors were really popular a while back but are losing their appeal now. Additionally, many individuals have grey furniture which can make everything look dull (consider getting a nice area rug to address this issue). If you’re planning on selling in the near future, you might want to opt for a different color (or a grey with warmer undertones). Ultimately, your home should reflect what you love.