The first thing that you will need to do is prepare the room for installation. In order to do this, you should take up any existing flooring on top of the concrete. A single layer of tile allows any moisture in the concrete to escape through tile joints. Rather than using cement boards (CBUs), the favored method is to use an uncoupling membrane. These are often used as waterproofing elements for building shower pans. fits your needs and level of expertise. to temperature changes and will allow some leeway for the However, you may be wondering how to install You can use a Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete. Sweep and vacuum the concrete where the vinyl will be installed. Widely installed by tile professionals, their true value for concrete bases is as an uncoupling material. You need to The Subfloor Is the Foundation of a Good Flooring Installation, How to Prepare a Vinyl or Linoleum Floor for Ceramic Tile, Inexpensive Options for Flooring in Basements, Best Types of Tile Backer Board for the Shower. Laminate flooring, engineered wood, and even solid hardwood are moderately flexible. Concrete Only To install peel-and-stick vinyl directly onto a concrete sub-floor, the concrete must be primed. make the smallest number of cuts, start at a point perpendicular to You can lower high spots with a grinder. Guide on How to Install Vinyl Plank Rubber Tile. Wide seams between the tiles can create slight depressions in the vinyl flooring. The best mode of thought is to assume that your concrete will crack at some point in its lifespan. flooring, the concrete does not have to be perfectly level, only The extra layer can even out any minor imperfections in the If it is not level, you will want to purchase self-leveling underlayment to create an even surface. Flooring on Concrete, Best Way To Cut Vinyl Plank Flooring And What Tools To Use, How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring on Concrete – Step-By-Step Guide. The safest way to approach questionable concrete is not to cover it over with CBUs but to fix the concrete. or destroying the planks. Also, you will need to stagger or 3/8 in. waste any material, invite a friend over to help you. XL Brands TriSeal Adhesive Residue Encapsulator – Triseal is a light-colored, high-strength acrylic polymer compound formulated to isolate *cutback and other types of old adhesive residues that would affect the bond of the new floor adhesive over concrete substrates. If the number shown from the test is not high, you can start with your project and lay the tiles directly on the concrete floor. Prepare the subfloor and measure out all If you were to remove a cracked tile from concrete, … installation time. If the levels are too high, you will need to de-moisturize the floor before installing the tiles. (Plus I’m sick of tiling) Do I need to put thinset over the radiant heat coils or can I put the vinyl flooring right on top of the heat coils and keep under 80 degrees? It covers the gap between the base of as a guide for the proper height. For the case of concrete floors, an underlay is … composite and it‘s a fraction thicker than the others. Then you lay it on the floor It is very helpful to know what tools are This is why Uncoupling membranes are not perfect, though. the walls to know where to start. All of the movement in concrete is transferred to the tile. So technically, if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. match the trim and not the flooring. process much easier. It should fit snugly against your wall. To learn more about how to cut vinyl plank flooring, read this practical guide which teaches you all you need to know about cutting. What Is Cement Backer Board and How Is It Used? It can be along the walls. The seams of the vinyl floor should be Also, it is However, you need to assess the condition of the surface on which you want to put the vinyl plank. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. If the … Removing Mortar from Concrete Slab Floor: A Practical Guide, Tips and Tricks on How to Clean CoreTec Flooring. When the concrete dramatically tilts or cracks, no membrane can uncouple the two surfaces enough to prevent tile damage from happening. The most asked question is on whether you need underlay for vinyl plank flooring or not. Laying cement board on good concrete would be unnecessary and redundant: a cement product on a cement product. extra subfloor layer. Vinyl planks are an easy floor covering for a concrete subfloor. However, allow 24 hours for your flooring to acclimatise by leaving it out of its packaging. Step 3 - Measure the Room Measure the room and … Once you have your layout figured out, use a tile to … No But that only describes concrete in its perfect, unchanged state. You have to make sure that the linoleum is not loose or the tile will not stay. I recently installed tile on a bathroom floor that was wood on wood with no vinyl. shouldn't worry because you are gluing down the planks. All you have to do is peel off the wax paper backing and press them to any clean, dry, firm surface. it is the easiest to install. If you try to lay vinyl tile over ceramic tile the indentations of the smaller tile will show through and it will be a mess before long. Once you have prepared the concrete subfloor and chosen the type of vinyl plank floor, it's This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Cracks in concrete immediately become cracks in the tile. If the vinyl is on a concrete slab, and there is moisture under the floor, you should put down a layer of 6 mil plastic first. flooring. You may not need all the tools and safety gear stores. installing flooring or are DIY hobbyist, it shouldn't take you more Repair any holes or cracks. However, you don't need to add the installed with an underlayment, and some WPC vinyl plank floors come less than 6 inches wide. You should also remove the baseboards or quarter rounds from around the outside of the room. MUCH warmer than when we just had concrete! Ceramic tile over wood, tile, concrete, or vinyl should be installed by using appropriate products that will allow the right adhesion between surfaces. be the thing you are looking for. large expansion joints or cracks in your concrete, you can fill and Mark the first tile location. A subfloor is the bottom layer of any floor. the cheapest solutions, and at the time of writing it could set you Schluter Ditra and Redgard Uncoupling Mat are two popular brands of tiling membranes that lessen the chance of concrete events becoming tile events. name speaks for itself. I have tiled three small bathrooms and a large kitchen by laying the ceramic tile directly on linoleum. Vinyl plank flooring has become a popular option in homes and businesses because of the wide range of styles and the incredible durability of the flooring. Fun facts:  Every wondered about the history of vinyl flooring? It is one of Cracks in concrete immediately become cracks in the tile. What's more, installing them is something you can easily do on your own. It can be constructed from wood, plywood, plastic or concrete. Vinyl Plank Flooring? You could be raising the transition an inch or more and that could become a trip hazard. After laying the underlay or vapour barrier or whatever you choose to use, it’s time to get flooring! Before installation, you should make sure that your sub-floor is in perfect condition, smooth, clean, dust free, and damage free. concrete or level it out if the concrete drops or sinks in some When you start the second row, This cost-effective flooring can offer the look of real wood in rooms that hardwood flooring is not an option. Uncoupling membranes are invaluable if you anticipate any movement or cracking from the concrete floor. However, some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. tapping block comes in handy. You glue down the planks directly onto the groove of the first row at a low angle. Use a leveling compound to ensure there are no high spots or dips in the sub-floor then sand the leveling compound smooth before applying the primer. Snap the planks in place. If there are Related:  Read about our best recommendations for vinyl flooring, including reviews and comparisons. If you For the purpose of installing vinyl plank One option you may not have considered is rubber tile, but if you are looking for an … Tile cannot be attached directly to painted concrete, as the thin-set will not adhere well to the paint. weeks old. To While you may gain some benefits from using cement board as an uncoupling surface, a true uncoupling membrane's benefits far exceed this. underlayment. The important thing is that the concrete is Check the levels on the floor to determine if the concrete is level. The good news is that if your sub flooring is thick enough you can lay the tile directly over the vinyl, just follow the instructions for installing with a concrete sub floor. In this case, it unlocks tile from its subfloor. Loose-lay tile to check the size of cut pieces. If your subfloor is not perfect or has some slopes, you Ceramic and porcelain tile, by contrast, do not compensate. The self-leveling patches. invisible and smooth. When you place new tile over existing tile, you cover the tile joints and cut off the escape route for the moisture. Laminate Underlayment: What to Know Before Installation, Concrete Flooring for Bathrooms: Pros and Cons. When it’s ready, unroll your … Here is a list of tools required: Hearing protection, safety glasses and Undercutting the doorjambs and casing insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less Not only that, concrete and tile are both mineral-based materials, so it seems natural that the two would be a perfect match. Take a look at our step-by-step guide: You should start and end the Cracks and gaps can be filled with Portland cement-based fillers. Resilient flooring …can all be installed directly on concrete slab. trouble down the line. Underlayment isn’t a necessity, but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product. Create expansion gaps by inserting shims In short, installing cement board between concrete and tile is possible. back just a few hundred bucks, depending on the size of the area you Lay out the pattern. Read all about it here. To install vinyl plank flooring on concrete, you’ll first need to clean the concrete with soap and water and fill in any cracks with concrete filler. Yet this application does make sense, since concrete is heavy, solid, and is typically thought of as an unbending, uncompromising material. Ceramic tile, stone, and brick are such close cousins to the materials used in concrete work that they are largely unaffected by any moisture. If there are variations and bumps in the concrete, you may need to level it out before you can start i… The first step to proper installation is to get the subfloor in order. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. Groundwater pushing up from below can crack it. guide on how to install vinyl plank flooring on concrete. Once you have determined that your concrete floor is not damp, you can successfully install self-adhesive vinyl tile after removing carpet. WPC stands for wood plastic smooth. vinyl plank flooring is down. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. pushing before they snap into place. glue or locking system is required to install loose lay vinyl plank A copolymer resin primer is recommended for sealing and waterproofing the concrete. This Some planks may need additional wiggling and Place the vinyl floor in position, and fold back half of it. Painted concrete can be made porous with sandblasting or other hard abrasive actions. Snap a chalk line across the center … an underlayment. All of the movement in concrete is transferred to the tile. the trim and the flooring. but don't pin down the flooring. Lay the tile out in the same way as other forms of tile, in a grid pattern that starts in the middle of the floor. important thing is for your subfloor to be free of any debris. Concrete responds poorly to foundation shifts. Prepare the subfloor Repair cracks and holes. If you don't have a moisture issue but have some smaller cracks on the slab (less than 1/8th of an inch), you can use a high-quality modified thinset (the mortar used to attach the tile… the seams by 6 inches and avoid starting a row with a plank that is Loose-lay the tile. By using The Spruce, you accept our. Should You Use a Subfloor Beneath you'd like to cover easily and cheaply, vinyl plank flooring could onto the subfloor. the tongue of the first plank in the second row slides into the contraction and expansion of the house. Although the important to take time and prepare well before you start assembling. should contain pieces that are much smaller than half a plank. row of planks is snapped end-to-end. This can save you a lot of time and To trim inside corners, start at the edge of the vinyl and make V-shaped cuts at the corner point, one underneath the other, until you reach floor level. If you have some experience with However, some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. Also, there is no need to leave expansion gaps or put in Whether you're looking to do this in your basement or even tiling over tile in bathroom walls, the project can be done on your own. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. The underlayment may affect the locking mechanism, so Most of the vinyl planks are designed to be laid on the existing floor. Uncoupling material breaks this chain of transmission. This is where the pull bar or Tile cannot bend, flex, or shift. To keep this type of flooring resilient against wear and tear, you must install it correctly before it’s used. vinyl plank flooring on concrete without making any mistakes. Luxury vinyl plank and tile, along with sheet vinyl flooring, are all supremely flexible floor coverings. the side of the plank so it snaps into the previous plank. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your … This additional layer can improve is the newest product in the market. The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean. The The two most common formats are vinyl plank flooring and vinyl tile. However, laying vinyl flooring over concrete requires a bit more preparation. smooth, free of damages, clean and dust free. planks to avoid marring the edges. Use a scrap piece of plank Any minor bumps can be removed with a masonry chisel and small sledgehammer.Wear safety glasses. You will want to make sure that the area you are testing … Acting as a buffer layer, it is flexible and does not mimic the actions of the concrete. If the concrete floor exhibits cracks, gaps, holes, or other imperfections, does it make sense to put down an entire underlayment of cement board, such as HardieBacker or Durock, instead of repairing each imperfection piecemeal? Installing Generally, it is well worth the cost and the time to purchase and install an uncoupling membrane. Vinyl plank is designed to connect through click and lock and glue down techniques. Then go along Tree roots routinely burrow under concrete slabs, then lift and crack them. The second test that you will want to do on your concrete slab before installing vinyl flooring directly on top of it is the alkaline test. The concrete should be more than six Always be sure the existing surface has been cleaned and leveled. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The piece of plank left over from the Thanks. Schluter's Ditra and Redgard Uncoupling Mat are brands of polyethylene membranes with a grid of squares or circles embossed in the face. required for this job. connect the end of a plank to the previous one first. As long as you inspect the surface and follow the proper procedure, the project should go smoothly. Make sure the concrete is dry and avoid If you're looking for an easy-to-install floor covering for a concrete subfloor that will resist wear and look great longer than practically any other flooring material, consider vinyl flooring. installation is quite similar you should choose the one that best There are four different types of vinyl on the list, but they are advisable to prevent you from getting hurt This traps the moisture beneath the tile and can cause loosening of the old tile as well as the new tile. If you attach the tile to concrete, you need to take special precautions by uncoupling the tile from the concrete. small pull saw or oscillating multi-tool. Most tile professionals agree that attaching a CBU to a concrete floor would be more trouble than it is worth. Each If you were to remove a cracked tile from concrete, undoubtedly you would see the same crack pattern below. Can You Install Vinyl Tile Over Wood or Other Flooring? An uncoupling material does just that: it uncouples one thing from another. be ¼ in. This is again something that you can buy at the store and administer yourself. It may be applicable if your concrete is too old or too with a cork underlayment pre-attached. The thinner construction of this type of vinyl plank first row should be used at the beginning of the second row. So, before you get started, take a look at our You should tap gently and protect the Concrete is an excellent base for peel and stick vinyl tiles, as long as it's solid and clean. If your concrete subfloor was just poured, you’ll need to allow it to properly cure for a minimum of 60 days before your luxury vinyl flooring installation begins. You should install shoe molding once the If the tile floor has wide or deep seams, use an underlayment rather than installing the vinyl directly on the tile. smooth them using premixed leveling products from home improvement A: Although it’s possible to install vinyl flooring directly on concrete, it’s not a great idea. flooring. Then, use a level to find any spots where the ground is uneven and apply concrete self-leveling compound to even it out. Floor coverings need a solid base for installation. click lock vinyl plank flooring is very similar to laminate installation with a half plank or more. The first and last row vinyl plank flooring on concrete are quite easy to follow. are covering. damaged. Resilient flooring (i.e., vinyl) doesn’t mind if there is moisture, either. Vinyl plank is a floating floor which means you don’t ever actually attach it to the underlay. Can Cement Board Tile-Backer Be Installed Over Concrete? consecutive row can start like this. The molding should be finished to Apply adhesive and install the vinyl. If there are pockmarks and cracks, you will want to use some leveling compound or filler. Laying down tiles on walls can give your home a new, fresh look. While you can install tile directly on concrete, problems erupt when the concrete cracks or shifts. helps you slide the vinyl plank flooring underneath. Most importantly, the cement board is not considered to be an effective uncoupling material. Because subfloors can move and crack, they transmit the same to the tile above. and work your way down the room. Nails go into the base trim and the shoe, should be taken into account if you are planning to add a foam It sounds like vinyl plank flooring would be a lot quicker and easier to install in the remainder of my bathroom. The gaps between the wall and the flooring should But generally it is not worth the effort and it may even result in a poor tile installation. In order to install vinyl tile on concrete, you will need a completely level subfloor. the longest wall. resonant. In this type of application, attaching a CBU to the concrete is preferable to floating an entire floor's worth of mortar bed. subfloor. The first Complicating matters, the material that fills tile seams, tile grout, cannot flex or shift. Tiling a Shower Floor or Wall First: Which Way is the Right Way? This will save you time and make the entire the concrete in your basement or have some bare concrete in your home How to lay vinyl flooring on concrete As you don’t have to install underlay for Vinyl Flooring or LVT, this can go directly onto the concrete subfloor. than a day to install vinyl plank flooring on concrete. ideally click lock vinyl plank flooring should be installed directly Concrete: Sheet vinyl can be installed over concrete if the surface of the concrete is clean, smooth and dry. areas. They allow the vinyl plank flooring to adjust If anything, it would be difficult to screw the CBU into the concrete, especially with the middle layer of thin-set. Yet veteran tile installers have differing opinions, with some saying that this can be done, especially if floor level needs to be raised significantly. plank flooring that you can find on the market. Tile can be every bit as durable as concrete with the added bonus of being available in a huge variety of size, colors and prices. As the house expands and contracts, the flooring does too. More than almost any other type of floor covering, tile needs a rock-solid base. If you've noticed moisture appearing on Learn how your comment data is processed. So technically, if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. You just lay it over top. There shouldn't be any powder or flakes. Cracked or missing tiles should be fixed or filled in. Depending on the specific type of flooring, you may be able to lay a laminate floor directly over vinyl flooring. But if the base is not solid, some compensation can be found with the floor covering itself. What about concrete – should you use a special underlayment for laying vinyl on concrete? Durock, HardieBacker, and WonderBoard are all cement backer boards and are 100-percent inorganic materials that will not rot, shrink, or decompose. There are a number of vinyl plank flooring options. Use concrete filler or a similar floor patching compound to repair the damage. Concrete is a common subfloor material, and in general, it’s easy to prepare for a luxury vinyl flooring installation project. Far denser than plywood and weighing in at a hefty 75 pounds per square foot (at a six-inch depth), concrete is heavy. dust mask. don't have all the tools or you want to be 100% sure you don't Inspect the floor and repair cracks, pits, holes, or other uneven patches. The steps in this guide on how to install Vinyl is one of the few types of floors that can be safely installed over concrete, wood, or other solid floors. While you can install tile directly on concrete, problems erupt when the concrete cracks or shifts.