I just bought my first home, and I'm currently working on the flooring. I initially wanted to refinish the hardwood under the carpet, but I've decided to hold off for about 10 years until my kids are older and less likely to make a mess. The main living area has a glue residue from the carpet padding that's quite tough to remove, while the bedrooms have more gummy glue that's easier to deal with. I'm wondering, can I install Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring over these surfaces as they are, or do I need to remove all the glue first? I'm getting mixed opinions online, and I want to hear from others who might have experience with this.
5 Answers
Yes, you can lay new flooring over the existing ones, but for thinner LVP, you need a completely flat subfloor. If there’s any glue, you should remove it to avoid issues like buckling. Thicker options, like Coretec, might handle minor imperfections better.
You might want to skip the Goo Gone and consider renting a floor sander or a standup razor scraper. You can easily tackle that area in a day with one of those. If you go ahead with LVP, just make sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for underlayment; otherwise, you could void the warranty. It's crucial to remove most of the rubber to prevent it from showing through, particularly with thinner LVP.
If you're set on using LVP, the key is how flat the existing floor is. If it’s uneven, don’t go for LVP; refinish the wood instead. The old stains won’t matter much in the end.
That’s critical to know! Any unevenness could really mess with the planks, especially with changes in humidity.
Honestly, if you finish those hardwood floors properly, you shouldn’t have to worry about spills and messes. In my opinion, going for LVP would be a waste. Give your family high-quality floors they can enjoy now and in the future!
I get what you're saying! The current hardwood looks great, and I'd love to bring it back to life, but I worry about my skills to refinish them without messing up.
I definitely see the potential in the hardwood. Just wish it was cheaper to hire someone for the refinishing.
I laid LVP down about a year ago, and honestly, I regret it. The aging process hasn't been kind and I wish I could go back. If I had the chance, I'd fix the original floors instead.
What specific problems are you facing with the LVP? I'd like to know since I'm considering it for my own home.
I've had a different experience—I installed about 800sqft and it's holding up well. But I wouldn't have chosen it over hardwood.
Would a thickness of 5.58 mm and a 20 MIL wear layer be enough to deal with glue issues? That's what I'm considering.