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Removing glue down vinyl plank flooring.

7 years ago

I am considering having some glue down vinyl plank flooring installed in my house, and it will be on a 1/4" plywood subfloor. But I am thinking ahead, wondering if the floor ever needs changing, how hard is it to get it up? I assume you would take up the subfloor with it, but just wondering if anyone has had experience with that. I am debating whether I want glue down or floating vinyl planks. Thanks.

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Comments (5)

User
7 years ago
1/4" subfloor is not strong enough for any flooring. What you may have is luaun overlay over the (hopefully) 3/4" subfloor.

Making any addition/repair with the idea it will be replaced at some point is usually less than successful simply because to do that means incorrect installation/repair in the first place.

Floating flooring often creates a 'hollow' sound when walked on. There are underlayments to minimize that effect.

Glued flooring is less noisy, but can cause expansion problems if installed incorrectly. But, removing glued flooring means fairly major demolition by having to remove the layer to which the flooring is adhered.

To allow for the future replacement, do the floating variety.
katrina_ellen
Original Author
7 years ago
HandyMac,

I probably have that wrong in regards to the subfloor, it is with a reputable dealer so I am sure the subfloor and the installation would be done correctly.

I like to think ahead and don't like the idea of major demo to remove so am thinking the floating would be best.

Another question for you on pricing, this is a small room 10.5 x 11.5 which has carpet on it presently which would need removal. I received a quote on some Armstrong luxury plank vinyl in the best range of quality(floating floor). To remove carpet, put down any subfloor necessary (160.00 deduct if subfloor is not needed) and replace quarter-round or toeboard is $1,549.00. I am in Michigan so labor may be fairly high priced. Does this sound reasonable?
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Laurie, Thanks for the help, I'll look into renting something like that once I get the flooring up. When I'm finished, I will be replacing the flooring with Floating wood floor. I have used this in both my houses and I really like them. Very easy to install and I would think very easy to remove. You will hear a lot of people say it should hollow when walking on them but I haven't noticed that. When the room is fisrt done, it does have a hollow feeling when walking on it but after everything get put back on the floor it's fine. I would also spend the money on the more expensive stuff and not that stuff selling for under $1 SQFT. MY SOLUTION: I'm using a floor/wood chisel and 2.5 pound sledge hammer, floor is coming up but it's slow work. I'm about 1/3 done and I've got 3-4 hour into it so far. My room is about 12X15, maybe a little bigger.
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Not many floating vinyl floors I know of. Not really up my alley but the link below is a cool YouTube video on Konetco. Here is a link that might be useful: Konetco Video
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You might try heating it up with a heat gun to loosen and soften the glue.
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Even if you decide to glue down the vinyl plank over the particle board (which isn't ever really recommended) you wont get your desired outcome. Particle board isn't a smooth and flat surface and vinyl has extremely little forgiveness for subfloor discrepancies. Either pull the particle board out and install a new 1/4" plywood for your subfloor, or for the smoothest and flattest installation, remove the particle board, install wire mesh and pour self leveling mix and allow to cure before installing the vinyl. Granted, that added prep will cost more, but depending on how long you would like your vinyl flooring to last, it is the best option for long term. And it gives you a truly flat subfloor for your vinyl. How to achieve a truly flat subfloor The Importance of a solid subfloor The Couture Floor Company
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User
7 years ago
That price depends on the price of the flooring. Does not seem too bad, however. $160 for not installing subfloor seems a bit low. I kinda doubt they would install a subfloor for that amount if they needed to do so.
katrina_ellen thanked User
User
7 years ago
The 1/4" subfloor is probably a layer of sheathing over the existing subfloor. That comes to about $1.32 per square foot. Sounds about right to me.

There's nothing necessarily wrong with floating vinyl floors and some I've seen are extra thick so they might help hide small subfloor issues.
katrina_ellen
Original Author
7 years ago
They did quote a 1/4" plywood subfloor. My house is on a crawl space. I haven't taken up the carpet yet so don't know if there is one in place or what shape its in. Will have to take a look. That quote was for Armstrong luxe plank, in their Best category.

Thanks jfcwood and HandyMac.

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