Investor · Dallas, TX · Member since 2009 · 718 posts · 913 votes
I've know we've previously discussed the pros and cons of vinyl wood plank flooring in other topics, as well as Trafficmaster Allure, but I've recently seen this new product at Home Depot Called Trafficmaster Allure Ultra. It's twice as thick as the regular Trafficmaster Allure but instead of glue snaps together. I realize it's a pretty new product and may not be cost effective ($2.99 square/ft), but it has a lifetime residential warranty. Curious if anyone has had an experience with it. I've been moving more towards vinyl wood plank flooring (instead of tile) down here in Texas because the soil moves so darn much, I need a floor with a little give.
I just got a rental with Allure back after a two year tenant. My wife commented that the floor looks good. Her standards are higher than mine, so it passed a pretty good test.
well... hmm. Hard to give u a single answer since basements tent to have uneven floors with lots of imperfections. If it was a level floor like a slab, old use a plastic sheeting like house wrap and put engineered wood.
If u have an absolutely dry basement, I'd put carpet, and I hate carpet.
If funds were no issue and I had the room height I'd put 3/4 plywood on uneven floor to make it even (pretty tough to do) . Then put whatever u want.
Lastly, I'd put tiles but some spots will be almost and inch higher/lower. Unless u put the meshed tiles.
Soon after. Maybe within 2 weeks. I should not have used it in the basement. Maybe it would have been better.
Knowing what you know now, what would you use in the basement?
Jon,
I have used vinyl plank (but not Allure) in basements. Installers did a glued down install after leveling; moisture level in the concrete had to drop below a certain threshold before the glue down operation. In one house, some off name brand found on the cheap at Lowes (was supposed to be peel-n-stick but did not stick without glue) was used in the basement where after the install a couple of inches of water flooded the basement, and this stayed put.
Steve Babiak do you recall the test method & acceptance criteria for the slab water test? I have read the recommended calcium chloride (if memory serves) but accurately measuring pre & post appears to be an issue. I'm looking at vinyl plank over concrete in an upcoming rehab and doing due diligence to ensure my material investment doesn't warp and pop after a few years.
Thanks,
Mike
The installer used some gadget to test the moisture level; my guess it is similar to what is used to check wood for moisture content. I don't recall the limit that was considered safe, sorry.
This has been a helpful thread. I am planning out two light rehabs that need flooring. Has anyone used the vinyl plank flooring product from Costco? I like the idea of not having to use glue to install.
It's definitely pricier than others I've seen ($2.22 just for the flooring). I want something durable that will hold it's look for a long while---so I don't mind paying a little more. The underlayment sounds very good and costs extra.
As far as Luxury Vinly Planks I've used both Allur Ultra and Allure regular. So far the product has been great for me. So great that I purchased 3500 square feet of the Allure regular to use for my rentals when it was on sale for $.99 a sq ft (normally around $1.60/ sq ft). I'm basically going to slowly phase out carpet in most of my first floor buildings (second floor I'll use carpet for sound-proofing)
Regular Allure
I currently have Allure Regular in three rental houses and it's done really well. I installed a lot of it myself, but it's so easy to have a handy man install it as well. The first one I installed was about 2 years ago and it has held up well over cement slab. You can see any dents or cracks coming up through slightly, but it's no big deal as any wood or faux wood floor would typically be in much worse shape. Basicaly the vinyl is like a rubber and almost conforms to whatever the ground below it.
I liked it so much I put Allure Ultra (which is much thicker) in a few rooms of my own place. It is thicker and doesn't show dents/ imperfections in the subfloor as much. It does slightly show some larger dents, so once again you really have to make sure the subfloor is smooth and flat.
Both Allures do really well when it comes to scratch tests. I've litterally dropped canned food from high cabinets and not found dents. Also if you take a key to the Allure Ultra (and a little less so for Allure Regular) you can dig deep and it will show a small light scratch. If you then get a brillo (sp?) pad and scrub the scratch will be virtually gone. This is much better than regular hard wood or any laminate under $5/ sq ft
As far as waterproof-ness. For allure ultra if you spill water on it you can literally leave the water for an hour or so before cleaning it and it is fine. I haven't done any tests like this on Allure Regular, but the Regular has held up fantastic in a few of my rentals.
I just got a rental with Allure back after a two year tenant. My wife commented that the floor looks good. Her standards are higher than mine, so it passed a pretty good test.
I know investors in Baltimore that LOVE Allure. I've walked their properties and it looks great . When I do my first rehab I plan to use it, and hopefully they'll be running the 99 cent per sq ft sale then too, lol.
I know investors in Baltimore that LOVE Allure. I've walked their properties and it looks great . When I do my first rehab I plan to use it, and hopefully they'll be running the 99 cent per sq ft sale then too, lol.
I haven't seen it for $.99, but I'd stock up on a few thousand SF if I could get it at that price.
I know investors in Baltimore that LOVE Allure. I've walked their properties and it looks great . When I do my first rehab I plan to use it, and hopefully they'll be running the 99 cent per sq ft sale then too, lol.
I haven't seen it for $.99, but I'd stock up on a few thousand SF if I could get it at that price.
@Jon Klaus, (sorry for being a year late to the party)
can you "dig" a bit more with your floor installer guys? sometime they have access to lots of leftovers from big installs....
i will most likely rip up everything out of my basement and put something else. all of them are un-sticking now and it's become a trip hazard.
@George P., (sorry for being about a year late)
if you still have the problem, can you have an installer rip, install moisture barrier and re-glue the planks (with good quality glue)?
the company issues credit through home depot and i used it up on fixing a house last year. i kept the planks as they are and yes, the problem is still there, but we are ok with it. if things get worse (tripping hazard), we will just put carpet or area rugs over it. it was a mistake installing it in a basement, but at least i got a refund in a form of gift card.
i saw people putting exterior carpet (no pad) in "flood-able" basement . maybe check after a big convention.... they almost give it for free
since you have kids, they are some rubber/plastic tiles (resembles the kids interlocking puzzles, but better quality/thicker) in case you need some thermal isolation
I recently installed mohawk luxury vinyl plank's (glue down)on my floors in my entire house. I had it installed by recommended professionals.I noticed during the process that they were not following the instructions. They did not acclimate the planks in my home for 48 hours. They did not use the right glue they used Vinyl composite glue instead of luxury vinyl plank pressure glue. They did not roll with a 100 pound weight roller. They did not leave the room untouched for 24 hours they immediately moved my furniture back in. I asked about all of these procedures and they said none of it was needed! However, i immediately began to notice planks all over my home that were popping up . I had this installed upstairs and downstairs upstairs being plywood flooring and downstairs being concrete. I am seeing this issue upstairs and downstairs. My question to you is , is this normal and they need to come back and reglue these planks? There's about 25 popping up and is it also normal for uneven plank joins this is a glue down tile or plank and not a snap plank. I am supposed to have a 15 year waranty....is it void if they don't install properly? At this point I want a full refund and a complete do over.
I recently installed mohawk luxury vinyl plank's (glue down)on my floors in my entire house. I had it installed by recommended professionals.I noticed during the process that they were not following the instructions. They did not acclimate the planks in my home for 48 hours. They did not use the right glue they used Vinyl composite glue instead of luxury vinyl plank pressure glue. They did not roll with a 100 pound weight roller. They did not leave the room untouched for 24 hours they immediately moved my furniture back in. I asked about all of these procedures and they said none of it was needed! However, i immediately began to notice planks all over my home that were popping up . I had this installed upstairs and downstairs upstairs being plywood flooring and downstairs being concrete. I am seeing this issue upstairs and downstairs. My question to you is , is this normal and they need to come back and reglue these planks? There's about 25 popping up and is it also normal for uneven plank joins this is a glue down tile or plank and not a snap plank. I am supposed to have a 15 year waranty....is it void if they don't install properly? At this point I want a full refund and a complete do over.