All Forum Posts by: Keith Lewis

LVP is the best answer BUT know what you're buying and why. Many investors like the floating " Click lock" wood plank looks. If you have multiple floor levels make sure you buy one with an attached pad for sound proofing (rating of 63 or higher is best) OR if you get a good deal on one without buy a pad to put under it for all units with a living space under them. Wearlayer for residential doesn't need to be higher than 12 mil and a 6 mil will do ONLY IF you have a better scratchresistant finish on top like an Aluminum Oxide or a Ceramic Bead. Don't buy one with no finish or just a urethane or you'll be replacing it every other tenant. The other reason for CL is that you can avoid a new subfloor in many instances. Check with your installer.

That being said I prefer a glue down 3mm with a 6-12 mil wear layer and AO finish. Glue down rarely requires a sound deadening pad. Glue down is easier to repair single planks that are damaged But you usually need a subfloor (which helps with the sound proofing. Stay in the brown gray rustic look; easier to get a good paint to match for the walls and rarely out of style.

Start with the leveling. Mapei Plani Patch or Ardex Feather Finish, both mix with water , are Portland based and sand thin. Use a 1/4 " ply smooth one side not Luan if you can afford it. Always use exterior graded plywoods or luan ...the glues are more water resistant. Gluing the floor down on the upper floor is a good idea but why waste money on gluing a CL ? Just get a good 3mm lvp with a 12 mil wearlayer and an aluminum oxide finish. They make sound deaden panels and underlayment you can actually glue full spread to the builder floor then glue the lvp to it. Just follow the directions.

First let's address a pro tip; the one that said glue down a FLOATING FLOOR which is all Click Lock. Many in their installation instructions will tell you this voids the warranty if there is an issue. Gluing the floor does NOT keep the WOOD subfloor from expanding and contracting; it's a temperature and moisture sensitive product. The only reason to glue down a floating floor would be to deaden the noise on an upper floor or if you have a living space under it. NEVER glue a floating floor with a pad; the pad will eventually shear off from the pack of the product due to movement. 

Look for a Rigidcore product not a WPC. Sometimes they are called SPC also. The have less chance of being affected by temperature. If you get one with a pad realize it is only there to help deaden sound; it does absolutely nothing for warmth or really comfort. If you can for this type of housing get one where the plank itself is at least 4mm NOt including the pad. 12mil wearlayer is good 20+mil is better(commercial) but not necessary. MAKE SURE the product has a good scratch resistance Finish coat preferably Aluminum Oxide or Ceramic Bead. Don't buy a smooth plank, they scratch too easily; get a one with texture/graining. try the old Rub it with a quarter to see if the surface scratches. A good product will actually wear the groove off the quarter and like a scratch buit actually it's the residue from the quarter.

Lastly LVP are ALL Waterproof, BUT THE INSTALLATION IS ONLY WATER RESISTANT. The seams are only as good as the installation and water setting there for a long period (36+ hrs) will get through many. You could put a dressing on the floor to seal it but then you've just added maintenance. Use a better quality dressing with at least a 25% solids content if you choose that route.

Good Luck.

Quiet walk is an average product. The best sound deadening rating is with Healthier Choice Omnichoice with A 73 RATING

Just remember if you plan to use a floating floor system to check the sound rating of any attached pad for use on the upper floors to comply with sound proofing regs of the building department. Many don't meet the standard and you might find a product without it and need an upgraded pad like Omnichoice.

WPC products tend to be more rigid and therefore more brittle and easier to break the locking system during installation for take your time if you're using one of these. The rigidcore are more forgiving.

Why don't you use the  new kid on the block LVP click lock ridgidcore. It can float over your hardwood. It can take the abuse of the pets and can be removed so you can refinished the wood floor when you want to sell the property in stead of rent. Get something with a 12 mil wearlayer WITH A SCRATCH RESISTANT FINISH like Aluminum Oxide. Probably one with a pad attached if it's a multi family unit.

It's no different than using a floor finish over vct. Been done for years.