Is laminate flooring supposed to flex Expansion. Then you can drive a screw at an angle through the joist and shim and into the underside of the subfloor to stop the flex. Sep 26, 2017 · Transitioning from laminate floating floors to another surface isn't always difficult -- until you throw a curve into the mix. Floating floors generally incorporate thinner materials that cannot be sanded — often leading to a shorter lifespan. What holds a floating floor in place? How does a floating floor stay in place? Floating floors connect at the seams Are vinyl planks supposed to feel "not solid" when I walk on them? They were just installed. Armed with knowledge of recommended installation techniques and your own common sense, you can save your clients money and help the environment as well. Failure to acclimate laminate flooring will cause it to shrink and expand at unexpected rates after installation and solving this won't be easy. Could it be the moisture barrier? Jul 22, 2024 · Our round-up of the best quality laminate flooring includes options for every room in the house from the kitchen and bedroom to the bathroom and basement. These methods include wearing grippy shoes, keeping the floor dry, installing textured vinyl, and having a no-slip mat on your flooring. Are they correct? No way is that acceptable, not even close. Sep 17, 2021 · While there are a half-dozen types of vinyl flooring, all have either a rigid or flexible core. Bouncy floors cause furniture and other items to shake and vibrate due to inadequate support. The gap should be a minimum of 3/8 of an inch (9 mm). Sep 30, 2025 · When the subfloor is damaged, warped, or uneven by more than 3/16 inch over 10 feet, it will result in laminate flexing. What’s right for you? The transition should be installed to allow the two floors to be independent from one another. In addition to flatness, the subfloor must be rigid enough to support expected weight loads without bending. No, laminate flooring tends to flex when adjusting to an uneven subfloor. A stable base of Aug 28, 2021 · When laminate flooring is installed, there is an expansion gap around the perimeter of the room with spacers. If you’re concerned about injuries due to slippery vinyl, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is the way. The code ove followed here in so cal is metal through penetrations. If the floors do not feel firm, that's a sign the floor joists need more support. Dec 24, 2023 · This is important especially if you are installing very thin, flexible flooring like luxury vinyl tile (LVT). Feb 6, 2023 · Floating floors come with their fair share of challenges. Sep 26, 2025 · Shop low-cost hardwood, vinyl, laminate & waterproof flooring at Lumber Liquidators. So the duct going between the floors should be metal but the rest can be flex Are these lips acceptable? Just had Lifeproof vinyl installed seeing a slight raised gap in a few places, not smooth when sliding across, seems like it will wear down and look bad. May 5, 2018 · I just finished up an expensive new construction house. Regardless of how thick the wear layer is or whether it’s waterproof, one of the first decisions any homeowner should make with vinyl is deciding whether they want flooring that’s flexible or rigid. While this small gap is covered by the baseboard in the room, it’s the one weak point where water can get through to the subfloor on even the best click-lock laminate boards. Leave room. To all who have/had floating click-lock style luxury vinyl plank installed on a cement slab or in their basements - Do you notice any hollow/spongy spots that you simply "live with?" I've read a TON about these floors and know they supposed to be installed over a FLAT sub-floor or it stres Bouncy Floors If you hear rattling every time you walk around a corner, the floors are probably getting by with minimal support. A level subfloor will help your flooring last longer and keep the finish attractive. What is an acceptable gap in laminate flooring? Quick-Step Laminate floors expand and contract in function of changing relative humidity conditions in the room. Oct 17, 2023 · To acclimate your laminate flooring, place it where you want to install the flooring and let it settle for about 48 hours. Jul 26, 2024 · From addressing underlying issues to using floor levelling compounds, we cover all the steps needed to repair and prevent laminate floor flexing in the future. A good quality laminate glue and silicone caulk can help seal your laminate to help make it This is hard to describe but my flooring in a newly purchased home (remodeled) has completely uneven floors and has soft spots and points that feel like they stick up when stepping on certain spots. Is it normal for floors to be slightly uneven? As mentioned above, it's common to find slanted floors in a house more than 15 years old due to the home's foundation shifting over time. Take the quarter round off and cut the laminate 1/8-1/4 off the baseboard. Check out our detailed code guide here! As others have said, floating floors are supposed to work themselves into a comfortable position (path of least resistance). A handful of companies specialize in either flexible or custom-made Jan 6, 2022 · You can use a sealant for laminate flooring to prevent water incursion around the edges. Where these methods don't help, you'll need a professional. All laminate flooring and LVP etc is floating. Thinking I’m going to have to redo the whole flooring eventually but will this only get worse? Dec 30, 2024 · The most common flexible gas line code is the requirement for grounding and bonding. How much space do you need around laminate flooring? What size expansion gap is required for laminate flooring? As a rule, the larger the space the larger the expansion gap should be. Get professional installation and service at Lumber Liquidators' 200+ flooring stores. The first thing I noticed when walking on it was that it was very bouncy. Don't worry about it. Generally, laminate flooring is not meant to be glued – however, in applications with high risk of moisture exposure, we do recommend gluing the joints. I am annoyed at how the general contractor installed the engineered hardwood floor I bought. This result is the laminate flooring will expanding and contract as the temperature and humidity change. They also easily conform to oval as well as round connectors. When I walk on them, I can feel slight movement. For example, thinner plywood sheets may be more prone to flexing. You can't, however, seal seams and shouldn't apply sealer to the whole floor. How do you avoid slipping on vinyl flooring? There are several ways you can prevent vinyl flooring from being slippery. If that These type floors are not adhered to the underlayment, it is a floating floor. If you're looking to install a floating floor, read this to know some of their problems and solutions. Have gaps in your flooring? Learn more about when and how to properly seal the seams of laminate flooring. Nov 24, 2023 · It's not unusual for gaps to develop between the ends of laminate flooring pieces months or years after installation, and the result looks exactly like shrinkage. This is hard to describe but my flooring in a newly purchased home (remodeled) has completely uneven floors and has soft spots and points that feel like they stick up when stepping on certain spots. They are designed to be “float” over the floor and have either a pad attached to their underside or sections of padding are fitted across the floor before the laminate is installed, to soften the feel of walking across the floor and to dampen noise both in the room and rooms below. These tips below can help you Oct 13, 2023 · Are floors supposed to be level? Getting your floor level is an important first step for any flooring installation process. It would be impossible to tip toe on this Flexible ducts can speed installation by reducing the number of joints in a run and eliminating the need for elbows and offsets. Any way to fix? Mar 21, 2025 · Are floating floors supposed to have gaps? Expansion and contraction is a fact of life When installing floating vinyl floors it is necessary to allow for this expansion by leaving a gap around the perimeter of the floor or anywhere it meets another floor or vertical surface. Ignoring this requirement can lead to serious issues. NO, they made it too tight and didn’t allow for expansion causing the bow. Manufacturers typically require less than a 3/16-inch variance in floor height over a 10-foot radius for proper installation. “Bubbles” like this can happen for numerous reasons, but it seems the lvp is being pinned down at that baseboard more so than it should. Does floating floor settle over time? Yes, floating floors will settle in time. Jul 17, 2018 · Most laminate flooring materials do not attach to the floor slab or wood sub-flooring. Jan 13, 2015 · Many homeowners wonder how to make laminate flooring joints more waterproof in rooms like the bathroom, kitchen and foyers where water is more prone. Feb 27, 2025 · Discover how your lifestyle influences flooring choices! Explore the benefits of laminate and learn tips to avoid installation headaches and gaps. Could it be the moisture barrier? Sep 26, 2017 · Transitioning from laminate floating floors to another surface isn't always difficult -- until you throw a curve into the mix. To put a transition molding around a curve, you'll need a flexible molding or a custom-made curved transition piece. Are floating floors supposed to move? Nov 1, 2005 · Flex your knowledge If you’re inspecting flex duct in a newer HVAC system, there’s a good chance you’ll find installation errors. Hence, it’s not normal for your floorboards to be bent because they often result in a damaged locking system, poor performance of the floor, and micro-gaps between the laminate planks. Is that normal or will that cause the planks to crack over time? 12 Mil, attached pad, put on concrete floor with a moisture barrier underneath the planks. What is the downside to floating floors? On the downside, however, floating floors are prone to faster wear than its counterpart. Pergo and other manufacturers recommended you seal this gap before putting the baseboard into place. Sep 18, 2024 · When comparing floating vs glue-down floors, floating floors are easier to install and more cost-effective, making them ideal for DIY projects, while glue-down floors offer superior stability and durability for high-traffic areas. This flexing can cause concern about the floor’s stability and longevity. Nov 3, 2025 · Laminate flooring is a popular choice for its durability and aesthetic appeal, but many homeowners experience an issue where the floor flexes or feels “springy” underfoot. . You can feel the floor flex as you walk across it and when you step between boards you get creaks and occasionally a loud pop. Are floating floors supposed to have gaps? Mar 20, 2025 · Yes, floating floors will settle in time. But the physical properties of flexible ducts that create advantages are also the source of potential problems if care isn’t taken during installation. It takes a little time for this process to happen. Reply reply More replies MCHi11 • Is the floor on the 15’4 supposed to have a lot of flex to it ? This is my second one and I don’t remember the other one having so much flex to it besides that’s it’s been great just wish it was a Are vinyl planks supposed to feel "not solid" when I walk on them? They were just installed. Let’s make your floors solid and stable once again! Contractor says this amount of flex is within spec for LVP/LVT. If you ever need to replace the carpet that trim is trashed not to mention it has no support. Jul 29, 2013 · You'll spot the areas that need shims by the gap between the top of the joist and subfloor. This guy knows. Nov 1, 2024 · Most laminate floors are designed as floating floors, but that doesn’t mean they can be installed on any surface. 6ku5b zop2 3dyf 0h6 sf wiqov ksvxo apuw kcfofauaj urq